Although we can, generally, arrange to ship almost any commodity, many items are prohibited or restricted from our usual courier services (if your goods can be carried we can and will be quite happy to arrange for a carrier, on your behalf, through our list of Specialist Agents). The list below, though not exhaustive, shows the majority and type of goods that are not able to be booked for carriage through our usual services. Please read this carefully and if, when you are done, you remain unsure, please do not hesitate to contact our Customer Services Team to inquire further. It is far better to make sure that your goods are allowed to travel without special considerations than to have to suffer possible delays, confiscation or, possibly, the destruction of your shipment/s.

• Animal products such as skins, furs, horns (including Ivory and Ivory products).
• Goods of exceptional value such as works of art, antiques, precious metals or stones.
• Money or any items considered as negotiable items, e.g. credit or bankcards, stocks, and bonds.
• Dangerous or hazardous materials. These include items considered to be inflammable, explosive, corrosive, toxic, magnetic, radioactive, biohazards, pressurised containers etc.
• Live animals, e.g. cattle, sheep, pigs, chinchillas, ocelots or the Reticulated Python of South East Asia
• Perishable items
• Counterfeit or pirated goods or materials
• Narcotics; illegal drugs
• Human remains
• Pornography
• Dry ice
• Jewellery; including watches, rings, necklaces, pendants or brooches.
• Perfume and other, similar, alcohol based products.
• Passports (by special arrangement only)
• Weapons or items that may be construed as lethal. These included guns, knives, swords, daggers replicas or otherwise.

Added to this list, there may also be restrictions placed on many other goods, depending on the destination country. For example, it is not advised to send alcohol to the majority of Muslim countries or to the U.S.A., as you will encounter problems. If you have any questions regarding possible restrictions or prohibitions, we would advise that you, either, contact our Customer Services Team or liaise with the proper Customs Authorities in the relevant country to ensure that your goods will be allowed entry. If you require further assistance or have any questions our team will be more than happy to help you.

Proper packaging is essential to ensure the safety of your shipment. Our aim in this section is to outline some of the “Do and Do not” things to consider. Part of your shipment’s journey will take place on an automated system, rather like the conveyor belt systems found in airports and you are advised to prepare your goods with this in mind. While it’s all fairly straightforward advice, really, this is something we feel it best to remind you about because, after all, the most important thing is that your shipment arrives in pristine condition.

Paintings and works of art need to be professionally packed and have independent proof of value to qualify for insurance coverage.

DO

• Use strong boxes, preferably corrugated with outer liners, and ensure that they are, neither too full nor too large for their purpose. Boxes may be stacked during transit and must, therefore, be able to support a reasonable weight. Boxes that are too full may well burst; too empty and they may collapse. • Make absolutely certain that your goods are properly cushioned in side their container, that the contents are not touching the sides and, so, not likely to suffer any impacts that may occur. This is particularly important when shipping any items that have sharp sides or pointy edges. Always use the highest quality packaging materials available (even if you must make a trip to get some): bubble-wrap, Styrofoam, etc to better ensure the safe transit of your goods. • With regard to liquids, semi-liquids and powders; it is essential that these are first sealed in a suitable container that will ensure that none of the contents can leak out and then packaged further as advised above, again ensuring that they are properly cushioned. • Make absolutely certain that you have, very clearly and completely, filled out the destination address on the package itself. Please use uppercase letters when handwriting labels to assist courier personnel. • Aside from making sure that the goods are protected from external damage, make certain that the interior of the package is also providing cushioning between individually wrapped items so as to avoid possible damage that way. • If (and when) re-using an old box, remove or thoroughly cover all previous labels to avoid the possibility of it being sent to the wrong destination. • Make certain that you have thoroughly sealed the goods before they depart with the courier; you can never use too much packing tape. • If you are sending mobile phones, the sim card, battery and body of the phone must be separated.

DO NOT

• Never use bags, sheets or any type of fabric and consider that these are suitable for packaging your goods.
• Use rope or string to seal your parcels or packages.
• Do not automatically assume that the packaging you have received the goods in is suitable for further transit. Check the goods personally to make sure that you are satisfied with their standard of protection
• Finally, do not ever think that use of “Fragile” or “Handle with care” stickers are a substitute for proper and careful packaging, they are not. They are only useful as additional information purposes and the automated systems are not able to read these.

You must be aware that the onus is on you to make certain, beyond any doubt, that your goods are packaged in such a way as to be safe during their journey. Improper packaging can result in the unfortunate situation of the goods being damaged. If you are unsure about what to do or where to get appropriate materials, please contact us and we will be delighted to help.

Small Parcels and Non-Documents

Advertising – Literature
Advertising – Material
Air Tickets – Blank
Appliances
Artwork
Baggage Tags
Bank Drafts
Beverages – Non Alcoholic
Bids / Proposals
Binders – Empty
Blood Samples
Blueprints
Bonds
Inks – Hardback
Inks – Hardback Technical
Inks – Paperback
Inks – Paperback Technical
Inks – Hardback School / Medical
Inks – Paperback School / Medical
Brochures
Business Cards
Calendars
Camera Lenses
Cameras
Catalogues
Chemicals
Cloth
Cloth – Samples
Clothing
Clothing – Samples
Cosmetics
Credit Cards
Credit Cards – Blank
Diskettes – Containing Data
Diskettes – Unused
Disks – Audio / Visual
Drawings
Drugs – Prescription
Electronic Parts

Documents
Air Tickets – Issued
Annual Reports
Aperture Cards
Cash Letters
Cheques – Blank
Cheques – Cancelled
Cheques – Personal / Payroll
Computer Printouts
Deeds
Documents
Drafts
Interoffice Mail
Proposals
Tenders
Visa Applications

Forbidden
Animal Products
Drugs – Non Prescription