Shipping made simple

Question 1

Dangerous Goods

ParcelHero.com adheres to the air transportation regulations outlined by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and to the road transportation regulations outlined by the UN ADR and does not accept Dangerous Goods in its system- nationally or internationally. Local national regulations also apply for road transport.

Individuals or businesses which ship Dangerous Goods without appropriate labelling documentation and packaging can face significant financial and legal penalties. It is also important to remember the following when shipping with ParcelHero.com:

If you are reusing packaging or cartons, please ensure that all old labelling is removed. Any dangerous goods labels on a package will cause the shipment to be held and inspected, causing service delays and Inconvenience to you and your customer.

If you are shipping goods that could be potentially seen as Dangerous Goods, but are not, because of their unusual name, appearance etc, it is advantageous to clearly declare on the shipping documentation that the goods are classified as Dangerous Goods. This will ensure the shipment is not delayed unnecessarily. Any misdeclaration will lead to strong penalties for the shipper.

Question 2

TNT Prohibited Items

Aerosol
Aftershave
Airbag
Alcohol
Ammunition/Ammo
Animals of any form (alive or dead)
Antique/Antiques
Any Hazardous, Combustible, Or Explosive Materials (Any Item That Displays A UN Number)
Any Item Containing Petrol (Liquid, Gas Or Fumes)
Aromatherapy Oil
Ashes
Basin
Battery
Bed/Bed Frame
Biological Samples
Canoe
Carpet
Cash/Credit Cards/Debit Cards
Chainsaw
Cheque Books
Cheques
Christmas Crackers
Cistern
Combust
Counterfeit Currency
Counterfeit Goods
Crackers
Cream
Currency
Dangerous Goods
Documents (Outside The EU)
Driving Licence
Drugs (including prescription)
Engines
Explosive
Fence
Filth
Fine Art
Fire Extinguisher
Fire Works/Fire Work
Firearm
Firearms
Firearms (Or Parts Thereof) This Includes Replicas, Toys, Antiques, Decommissioned Firearms
Fish (live or dead)
Flat Screen Television
Food Items (Perishable Goods)
Fragile Goods
Fragrance
Gas
Gearbox
Gem
Gun
Hazardous Goods
Herbal Steroids
High Value Goods
Household Furnishings
Human
Human Organs
Human Remains
Infectious Substances
Insects
Item Described As "Unknown"
Juice
Kayak
Knife
Ladder/Step-Ladder
Lighter
Liquid/Cream/Oil
Live Animals/Insects
Lottery Ticket
Macbook
Mattress
Mattress (Either Vacuum Packed / Boxed Or Flat)
Meat
Medication
Milk Powder
Mobile Phone with or without Sim to any Residential address in Turkey/Pakistan
Munition
Munitions Of War
Nail Varnish
Narcotic Drugs
Paint
Paper Currency/Coins
Party Popper
Passport
Perfumes
Perishable Goods (all)
Petrol
Plant/Tree
Porn
Precious Metals And Gemstones
Printer Toner (International Parcels Only)
Remains
Replica Weapon
Screen
Seatbelt Tensioner
Seeds/Plant
Segway/Swegway
Settee
Shed
Sink
Slush Syrups
Sofa
Stamps (Unless Franked)
Steering Wheel
Steroids
Suitcase
Surf Board
Television
Ticket
Tobacco/Tobacco Products
Toilet
Toner
Tyre
Unknown
Un-Wrapped Metal
Vehicle Bonnet
Vehicle Bumper
Water
Weapon
Wheels
White Goods (Fridges, Ovens, Freezers, Cooker Hoods, Etc)
Windscreen

Question 3

EVRi Prohibited Items

All toxic substances are prohibited – Such as Arsenic; Beryllium; Cyanide; Fluorine; Hydrogen Selenide; Infectious Substances containing Micro-Organisms or their Toxins which are known to cause (or are suspected of causing) disease: Mercury; Mercury Salts; Mustard Gas; Nitrobenzene; Nitrogen Dioxide; Pesticides; Serum and Vaccines
All liquids are prohibited – Including Gels, Creams, Pastes, Lotions and Oils
Batteries (such as lithium batteries) – Unless included with the equipment they power
Drugs – Any medicinal, narcotic or psychoactive substance controlled under the UK’s current Misuse of Drugs legislations
Gardening and household tools – Unless they are properly protected
Illegal items – Goods which are illegal, the carriage of which is illegal, or the supply of which to the recipient is illegal
Magnetised material – With a magnetic field strength of 0.159A/m or more at a distance of 2.1m from the outside of the package
Miscellaneous manufactured articles - Goods made in foreign prisons, except those imported for non-commercial purpose of a kind not manufactured in the United Kingdom, or those in transit
Misleading endorsements – Parcels must not bear words, marks or designs which are unauthorised and which may reasonably lead the recipient to believe it has been sent On Her Majesty’s Service
Oxidising substances and organic peroxide – These are substances such as disinfectants and may cause or contribute to combustion of other substances. They may also be liable to explosive decomposition, react dangerously with other substances and injure health. For example: Bromides; Chlorates; Components of Fibreglass Repair Kits; Disinfectants; Nitrates; Per Chlorates; Permanganates and Peroxides
Paints and inks – Both solvent and water-based products are prohibited, this also includes varnishes (including nail varnish), enamels and similar substances
Pathogens - Things that can cause disease, such as a virus. Pathogens in the Risk Group 4 and selected Risk Group 3 listed in Schedule 9, Part 5 of the latest edition of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations are prohibited. For example: Clinical; Environmental and Medical Waste; Ebola and Anthrax
Perfumes and aftershaves – As well as being classed as liquids, these are flammable and are prohibited
Pesticides – Any chemical that is used to kill pests and insects
Poisonous (toxic) and infectious substances – Substances that are liable to cause death or injury if swallowed or inhaled, or by skin contact
Pressurised containers – Such Aerosols, Oxygen Tanks or Fire Extinguishers
Radioactive materials – Radioactive materials and samples that are classified includes varnishes (including nail varnish), enamels and similar substances Civil Aviation Organisations’ (ICAO) Technical Instructions. For example: Fissile Material; (Uranium 235, etc); Radioactive Waste Material; Thorium or Uranium Ores, etc.
Sharp instruments – Including Knives, Scissors and Axes
UN2814 or UN2900 Infectious substances – These are classified at Division 6.2 of the 2005–2006 Edition Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air published by International Civil Aviation Organisation, (ICAO)
Vehicle parts – Parts which are over our weight limit (15kg) or that are outside of our dimension limits. We also exclude any parts that contain liquids
Weapons and replica weapons – Including decorative, deactivated or air powered weapons

Question 4

DPD Prohibited Items

Any goods prohibited by the law or regulation of any government or public or local authority of any country where the goods are carried
Any goods which require temperature controlled transport
Cash (including cheques or vouchers)
Dangerous goods
Documents which can be exchanged for cash or goods
Firearms
Flammable goods
Glass (porcelain, earthenware or other similar materials)
Hazardous goods
Jewellery, fur, antiques, works of art or precious metals
Liquids
Live or dead animals
Negotiable instruments (including cheques and any vouchers with a face value)
Non excepted batteries
Perishable or frozen food
Personal effects (suitcases or personal belongings)
Pornography
Shipments sent in wooden boxes
Televisions or monitors with screens larger than 37"

Question 5

UPS Prohibited Items

LCD and flat screens TVs of 32 inches or larger are not accepted by UPS (manufacturers require upright position during transport which UPS cannot guarantee)
Perishable goods
Personal effects (suitcases or personal belongings)
Unaccompanied baggage (except via MBE Centres to selected countries)
Watches exceeding the value of 500USD
Electric Scooters

Question 6

ParcelForce Prohibited Items

Aerosols for toiletry or medicinal purposes.
Aerosols for any other purpose (including spray paints, etc.)
Alcoholic beverages containing more than 70% alcohol by volume (ABV)
Alcoholic beverages containing more than 24% but not more than 70% alcohol by volume (ABV)
Arms and Ammunition
Arms and Ammunition - low powered air weapons
Batteries that are classified as dangerous goods and certain used batteries
Batteries, specifically new and used lithium batteries when not sent with or connected to an electronic device.
Batteries - new wet, non-spillable
Biological Substances
Bladed Products
Car Parts
Christmas Crackers
Clinical and medical waste (e.g. contaminated dressings, bandages and needles).
Controlled drugs and narcotics
Corrosives (including dyes, acids, corrosive paint and rust removers, caustic soda, mercury and gallium metal).
Counterfeit currency Counterfeit currency and counterfeit stamps are prohibited.
Dry Ice
Electronic devices sent with lithium batteries
Environmental waste (including used batteries and used engine oil).
Explosives (including fireworks, flares, blasting caps, party poppers).
Financial documents
Flammable liquids (including petroleum, lighter fluid, certain adhesives, solvent based paints, wood varnish, enamels, acetone and all nail varnish removers).
Flammable solids (including magnesium, phosphorous, sodium, zinc powder and fire lighters).
Gases, including flammable, non-flammable, toxic and compressed gases
Hoverboards and electric scooters are prohibited to all destinations (UK and international)
Human and animal remains Human remains (including ashes) and dead animals (including preserved animal parts and skins) are prohibited.
Illegal lottery tickets Tickets and related advertisements for illegal lotteries are prohibited.
Indecent, obscene or offensive articles
Infectious substances and pathogens
Lighters and refills containing flammable liquid or gas (including new, used and empty butane, petrol cigar and cigarette lighters).
Liquids over 1 litre
Living creatures, bees, spiders fish fry and coral are all prohibited from our UK and International services.
Magnetized material (with a field strength of 0.418A/metre or more at a distance of 4.6 metres from the outside of the package).
Matches (including safety matches).
Miscellaneous manufactured articles
Misleading endorsements
Nail varnish, polish or gel
Oxidising materials or organic peroxides (including disinfectants, nitrates and hair dyes or colourants containing peroxide).
Perfumes and aftershaves
Perishables Frozen / fresh pet food and meat for human consumption are prohibited.
Pesticides (e.g. weed killer and any chemical used to kill pests and insects including fly sprays).
Poisons, toxic liquids, solids and gases
Radioactive materials and samples (Classified as dangerous goods such as luminous dials from aircraft).
Waste, dirt, filth or refuse
Weapons Weapons (including Section 5 firearms, CS gas and pepper sprays, flick knives, and other knives that are banned knives under UK laws, tasers and stun guns).

Question 7

Pallets Prohibited & Restricted Items

What goods are prohibited?

Clinical and medical waste.
Corrosives eg. Battery acid and drain cleaner.
Counterfeit currency or illegal lottery tickets.
Dangerous goods/ Hazardous material
Dry ice.
Electronic cigarettes due to heating element.
Explosives like fireworks or war materials cannot be shipped under any circumstances and are not covered for loss or damage.
Flammable liquids and solids, including lighters and refills, safety matches, firelighters, nail varnish removers, and paint stripper.
Gases eg. Camping gas cylinders and fire extinguishers.
Hover boards
Human and animal remains (including ashes).
Illegal goods, including country-specific stipulations [check your destination].
Live animals, animal parts, skin or furs, and ivory or ivory products.
Magnetised materials with a field strength of 0.418A/metre or more.
Pornography, including print, film and digital format.
Oxidising materials or organic peroxides eg. Hair bleach.
Radioactive materials.
Tobacco, loose-leaf tobacco products, and pre-rolled cigarettes.
Toxic liquids, solids or gases, or infectious substances and pathogens eg. Pesticides, weed killers, and poisons.
Used engine oil or other environmental waste.
Waste, dirt, or refuse.

What goods are restricted? (Goods may not be insured for loss or damage)

Alcohol

Alcohol that is more than 24% ABV (Alcohol by Volume) cannot be shipped outside the UK under any circumstances and is not covered for loss or damage.
Alcohol that is less than 24% ABV can be shipped overseas, so long as containers are well-cushioned and covered with absorbent material in case they break. Volume cannot exceed 1 litre and no more than two items can be sent in one package.
Alcohol that is more than 70% ABV (Alcohol by Volume) cannot be shipped within the UK under any circumstances and is not covered for loss or damage.
Alcohol that is less than 70% ABV can be shipped within the UK, so long as containers are well-cushioned and covered with absorbent material in case the container breaks. Volume cannot exceed 1 litre and no more than two items can be sent in one package.

Aerosols

Aerosols cannot be shipped outside the UK under any circumstances and are not covered for loss or damage.
Aerosols for personal grooming (eg. deodorant, body spray) or medicinal purposes (eg. flea spray) can be shipped within the UK, so long as the valves are protected to avoid inadvertently spraying the contents. Volume cannot exceed 500ml and no more than two items can be sent in one package. Poorly packed goods will not be covered for damage.

Batteries — Lithium

Lithium batteries cannot be shipped when not with or attached to an electronic device and lone batteries will not be covered for loss or damage.
Lithium batteries can be shipped when they are inside or with an electronic device, providing there are not more than two lithium batteries in any one package. Batteries must be very well protected and poorly packed batteries will not be covered for damage, nor damage caused to other items. When shipping lithium batteries within the Terms of these restrictions, attach this warning label to the box.

Batteries — Other

Car batteries, damaged batteries, used batteries, or any other battery that could be classed as dangerous goods (eg. acid) cannot be shipped under any circumstances and are not covered for loss or damage.
New wet, non-spillable batteries cannot be shipped outside the UK under any circumstances and are not covered for loss or damage. They can be shipped within the UK providing there is not more than one battery in any one package, that it is well packaged and protected against short circuit. Poorly packed goods will not be covered for damage.
Other batteries, such as new alkaline metal, nickel metal hydride (NiMH), nickel cadmium (NiCd), and zinc-air batteries can be shipped, providing they are unopened and in their original packaging, then well packaged. Poorly packed goods will not be covered for damage.

Bicycles

Bikes can be shipped providing they are dismantled and the parts individually packed and protected.

Car Parts

Tyres and wheels will not be accepted for collection unless they are boxed. If they are not boxed and make their way into the courier network, they are not covered for loss or damage and will incur surcharges.
Car bumpers and bonnets cannot be shipped outside the UK under any circumstances and are not covered for loss or damage.
Car bumpers and bonnets can only be shipped with Parcelforce and providing they are within size/weight restrictions and adequately packaged. Goods should be boxed. If they cannot be boxed, they should be measured as though they are in a box to secure accurate measurements. If goods are booked onto a service they are too big or too heavy for, they are not covered for loss or damage and a surcharge may be given for under-declaring goods. Bumpers must be covered in cardboard and then shrink-wrapped, but all goods can be refused for collection if they are not suitably packaged. Poorly packed goods will not be covered for damage.

Christmas crackers

Christmas crackers cannot be shipped outside the UK under any circumstances due to explosive elements.

Electronic goods and equipment

TVs, PCs and Laptops are not covered for damage and similar items will also be very difficult to claim for. Please contact us if you would like advice on shipping a specific item and we will assess on a case by case basis.
Screens and digital displays are not covered for damage, only loss.
Poorly packed goods will not be covered for damage.
If your device contains a lithium battery, check our Lithium Battery listing above for information on shipping and the Terms of insurance.
Making a claim against electronic goods or equipment that is found to be defective upon delivery is incredibly difficult. Strong evidence of damage to the external packaging, which may have resulted in damage to the components, is required and must be supported by clear photographic evidence. If damage in transit cannot be proven, a claim will not be settled.
We recommend expensive items attractive to thieves are camouflaged to detract attention away from them.
If devices contain sensitive or personal data check our Unsuitable Goods list below for Goods of personal value

Engines

Engines, generators and other mechanical parts must be completely flushed out of all oil and dried. Couriers need access to the dipstick and if any oil is present, collection will be refused and the sender issued a surcharge. If parts containing oil are found in the courier network the sender is liable to pay a substantial surcharge.

Liquids

Liquids are not covered for damage, nor damage caused to other items. Many courier networks list all liquids as prohibited and we recommend they are not shipped by courier.
Flammable and toxic liquids cannot be shipped under any circumstances, check the Prohibited Goods list above.
Also check Restricted Goods list for:
- Alcohol
- Nail varnish and polish
- Perfumes and aftershave and Perishable goods in the Unsuitable Goods list below

Musical instruments

Musical instruments must be shipped inside a hard case or they will not be covered for damage.
We recommend you add padding around the instrument when inside the case, so that it cannot move in transit.

Nail varnish, polish and gels

Nail varnish, polish and gels cannot be shipped outside the UK under any circumstances and are not covered for loss or damage.
They can be shipped in the UK providing they are unopened and in their original packaging, then well packaged. Poorly packed goods will not be covered for damage. Volume per item must not exceed 30ml and no more than four items can be sent in any one package.

Perfumes and aftershave

Perfumes and aftershaves (including eau de parfum and eau de toilette) cannot be shipped outside the UK under any circumstances and are not covered for loss or damage.
They can be shipped in the UK providing they are unopened and in their original packaging, then well packaged. Poorly packed goods will not be covered for damage. Volume per item must not exceed 150ml and no more than four items can be sent in any one package.

Suitcases

Suitcases pass through automated courier systems and are handled by robots, so must be robust enough to withstand the journey. If your suitcase has a soft cover, has a broken zip or is old and worn, there is little protection for the goods inside and an increased risk of damage. We recommend you shrink-wrap vulnerable cases, cover them in bubble wrap, or cover with cardboard. Poorly packed goods will not be covered for damage.
If you have a soft case a shipping label can easily fall off in transit, so we recommend you write the delivery address on a piece of paper and tightly wrap clingfilm around this and the top of your case, so that the shipping label can stick to the film.
We recommend you take a photo of your case before collection or make a note of the make/model. This will make it easier for the courier to identify your case. Black is the most common colour for suitcases, so we advise you attach a coloured ribbon or tag to the handle.
Check our Unsuitable Goods list below for:
- Goods of exceptional monetary value
- Goods of personal value
- Fragile goods

Weapons

Weapons eg. Firearms (including imitations) and firearm parts, ammunition, swords and knives cannot be shipped outside the UK under any circumstances and are not covered for loss or damage.
Low-powered air weapons like air rifles, air guns and air pistols can be shipped within the UK. However, poorly packed goods will not be covered for damage.

Works of art

Check our Unsuitable Goods list below for:
- Goods of exceptional monetary value
- Goods of personal value
- Fragile goods
Works of art that are not fragile or high in value (monetary or personal) can be shipped providing they are well packaged. Poorly packed goods will not be covered for damage.

What goods are unsuitable? (Cannot be shipped, or shipped at your own risk - Limited or no insurance cover)

Fragile goods

Fragile goods are unsuitable for shipment through a courier network and are not covered for damage, including ceramics, marble, china, stone, resin, etc.
Glass, in part or in full, is not covered for damage.

Furniture and white goods

Flat-packed furniture that is boxed can be shipped.
Unboxed furniture or other household goods should be moved using a removals service, not a courier, and will not be covered for loss and damage.
Couriers cannot ship white goods: fridges, freezers, washing machines, ovens, dishwashers, etc. and they are not covered for loss or damage.

Goods of exceptional monetary value

Antiques, precious stones and gems, gold and silver, or other goods of an exceptional value cannot be covered for loss or damage if sent by courier. They are sent entirely at your own risk.

Goods of personal value

Unique items like keys, artwork and lottery tickets, or items of sentimental value should not be sent via a courier network. This includes personal effects like clothes and accessories. Such goods cannot be covered for loss and are sent entirely at your own risk.

Money

Cash, credit cards and debit cards, personal cheques, travellers cheques and currency, should not be sent via a courier network. They cannot be covered for loss and are sent entirely at your own risk.

Perishable goods

Frozen or fresh food and drink, and pharmaceutical products like vaccines should not be sent via a courier network. Perishable goods cannot be covered for damage and are sent entirely at your own risk.

Plants

Plants, flowers, seeds, and real Christmas trees should not be sent via a courier network. Plants cannot be covered for damage and are sent entirely at your own risk.

Unique documents

Passports, birth and death certificates, financial documents, or other unique documents and certificates should not be sent via a courier network. They cannot be covered for loss and are sent entirely at your own risk.

Unusual shapes

Ladders, canoes, kayaks and such goods that are awkward to transport will not be accepted into the courier network.