One wrong item in the box can get your parcel returned, held at customs or destroyed. Restrictions come from three places: the carrier (air safety), US export rules, and the destination country's customs. Here's the breakdown.
1. Dangerous goods: banned by carriers
Parcels fly, so anything that can catch fire or explode is out:
- Perfume and cologne with alcohol, nail polish and polish remover are flammable liquids. USPS doesn't accept them in international mail.
- Aerosols: spray deodorant, hairspray, dry shampoo, spray paint.
- Loose lithium batteries and power banks. A battery installed inside a phone or laptop is different, but quantity limits apply.
- Lighters, matches, gas canisters, fuel, solvents.
- Alcohol: most postal services won't take it.
2. US export restrictions
The US controls what goes where. The strictest rules apply to Russia and Belarus: no electronics (phones, laptops, computer parts), no "luxury" goods (cosmetics, perfume, jewelry, high-end designer clothing), no auto parts. Details in shipping to Russia in 2026.
Full embargoes apply to Iran, North Korea, Syria, Cuba and Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine. Military and tactical gear (body armor, night vision, thermal imagers, drones) needs special handling to any country.
3. Destination country rules
| Category | Usually prohibited or restricted |
|---|---|
| Medicine | Prescription drugs, controlled substances, codeine products, large amounts of vitamins and supplements |
| Food | Meat and sausage, dairy, fresh fruit and vegetables. Usually OK: candy, coffee, tea, sealed canned goods |
| Plants | Seeds, seedlings, bulbs, soil |
| Money | Cash, traveler's checks, precious metals |
| Counterfeits | Fake designer goods are seized |
| Weapons | Firearms, ammunition, parts, knives (in many countries), air guns |
Mistakes we see at the counter
- "It's just a gift", and the gift is perfume. It has to come out, even a small bottle.
- A power bank in a jacket pocket. We check pockets, but check them yourself first.
- Sausage "for grandma". Most countries won't let meat products in.
- Medicine with no list. Name each medicine and quantity on the form and keep it in original packaging.
How to check your parcel
Send us your list on WhatsApp before you pack and we'll tell you what's fine and what to leave out. At drop-off we check the contents again against carrier and destination rules.
Frequently asked questions
Can I ship perfume internationally from the US?
Not by USPS: alcohol-based perfume is a flammable liquid. Some couriers accept it only as dangerous goods at a special rate. For Russia, perfume is also banned by US export rules.
Can I ship a power bank or batteries?
Loose lithium batteries and power banks are generally prohibited in international parcels. A battery installed in a device is allowed with limits.
Can I ship medicine abroad?
Small amounts of over-the-counter medicine for personal use in original packaging are usually OK. Prescription and controlled drugs need a check of the destination country's rules first.
Can I ship food internationally?
Candy, coffee, tea, grains and sealed canned goods usually yes. Meat, sausage, dairy and fresh fruit, no.
Customs and carrier rules change often. This article is accurate as of the date above — check with us before you ship.