Check before you ship

Restricted Items for International Courier

Accepted only after approval, documentation or special handling. Rules vary by country, so nothing here ships automatically.

Skyforwards courier pointing to restricted item categories: perfumes and cosmetics, electronics and batteries, food items and snacks, medicines and supplements, jewellery and valuables, plants and seeds

Prohibited vs restricted items: what is the difference?

Knowing which group your item falls into helps you avoid parcels being delayed, returned or held at customs.

Prohibited

Prohibited items

Cannot be shipped under the applicable export, import or courier rules, whatever documents you have.

See the prohibited list
Restricted

Restricted items

May be shipped only if conditions are met, such as approval, documents, special packaging or quantity limits. Acceptance is never automatic.

The same item can be restricted for one country and prohibited for another. Acceptance depends on destination-country regulations, customs requirements and our courier partners’ policies.

Items that need a check before shipping

Search the list or filter by category. Each card notes the details our team may ask about when we check your item.

10 items shown

Perfumes and deodorants: restricted item for international courier from India
01Restricted· Cosmetics & fragrance

Perfumes and deodorants

Most perfumes contain alcohol and many deodorants are aerosols, so they are treated as flammable dangerous goods for air transport. Acceptance depends on the service and the destination.

Details we may ask aboutBottle or can size, number of pieces, and whether it is a spray.

Cosmetics and skincare products: restricted item for international courier from India
02Restricted· Cosmetics & fragrance

Cosmetics and skincare products

Creams, lotions, nail polish and makeup may contain flammable or regulated ingredients, and some countries control cosmetic imports.

Details we may ask aboutProduct names, ingredients on the original pack, and quantity.

Mobile phones and laptops: restricted item for international courier from India
03Restricted· Electronics & batteries

Mobile phones and laptops

Devices with built-in lithium batteries are regulated for air transport. Damaged or swollen batteries are not safe to ship.

Details we may ask aboutMake and model, new or used, and battery condition.

Lithium batteries and power banks: restricted item for international courier from India
04Restricted· Electronics & batteries

Lithium batteries and power banks

Loose lithium batteries and power banks face much stricter air-transport limits than batteries inside a device, and many services do not accept them.

Details we may ask aboutBattery type and watt-hour (Wh) rating printed on the battery.

Packaged food, snacks and sweets: restricted item for international courier from India
05Restricted· Food items

Packaged food, snacks and sweets

Destination countries control food imports for health and biosecurity reasons. Ingredients such as meat, dairy, egg or seeds can be refused even in a cooked snack.

Details we may ask aboutFull ingredient list, commercial or homemade, and quantity.

Pickles and spices: restricted item for international courier from India
06Restricted· Food items

Pickles and spices

Oil-based pickles can leak and spices may be checked at customs. Some destinations limit seeds, whole spices or certain ingredients.

Details we may ask aboutType of pickle or spice, packing, and the destination country.

Medicines and Ayurvedic products: restricted item for international courier from India
07Restricted· Health products

Medicines and Ayurvedic products

Medicines and herbal products are regulated imports in most countries. A product sold freely in India may be controlled or unapproved abroad.

Details we may ask aboutMedicine names, ingredients, quantity, and prescription where you have one.

Jewellery and valuable articles: restricted item for international courier from India
08Restricted· Valuables

Jewellery and valuable articles

High-value items raise customs, declaration and insurance questions, and some services limit the value they will carry.

Details we may ask aboutDescription, metal or stone, and declared value with a bill if available.

Plants and seeds: restricted item for international courier from India
09Restricted· Plants & seeds

Plants and seeds

Seeds and live plants carry pest and disease risks. Many destinations require permits or certificates, and some refuse them entirely.

Details we may ask aboutBotanical name, quantity, and the destination country.

Commercial samples and electronic products: restricted item for international courier from India
10Restricted· Electronics & batteries

Commercial samples and electronic products

Business shipments and electronics may need commercial paperwork, and electronics with batteries are also covered by air-transport rules.

Details we may ask aboutProduct type, quantity, value, and whether it contains a battery.

Important: rules vary and can change

  • Whether an item is accepted depends on destination-country regulations, customs requirements and our courier partners’ policies for your route and service.
  • Listing an item as restricted does not mean it will be accepted. Some restricted items are refused for certain countries or services.
  • Regulations can change without notice. This page is general guidance, not legal advice, and is not a complete list.
  • Contact Skyforwards before shipping any item you are unsure about, so we can check it before pickup.