Courier Restrictions: What You Need to Know Before Shipping

Ever wonder why a package gets stuck at the depot or why a courier calls you back? Most of the time it’s a rule you didn’t check. Knowing the main restrictions saves time, money, and headaches.

Typical Items That Couriers Won’t Take

Every courier has a blacklist. The most common no‑gos are:

• Explosives, fireworks, or anything that could ignite.
• Flammable liquids such as gasoline, paint thinners, and aerosol cans.
• Compressed gases – think propane tanks or scuba cylinders.
• Sharp weapons, knives, or scissors with blades longer than 6 cm.
• Perishable food without proper cooling, live animals, and plants that need soil.
• Alcohol over a certain percentage (usually above 70 % ABV) and unlicensed drugs.

If you try to ship any of these, the courier will either refuse pickup or hold the parcel for extra fees. The safest move is to check the provider’s prohibited‑items list before packing.

Size, Weight, and Documentation Limits

Even allowed items can hit a wall if they’re too big or heavy. Most domestic services cap parcels at 30 kg and 150 cm combined length‑plus‑girth. International couriers often lower the weight limit to 20 kg and enforce stricter dimension rules.

Documentation is another hidden trap. For cross‑border shipments you’ll need a commercial invoice, proper HS codes, and sometimes an export license. Missing or wrong paperwork can delay customs clearance by days.

Here’s a quick cheat‑sheet:

• Check weight at the scale before booking – round up to the nearest kilogram.
• Measure length, width, and height, then add them together; if the sum exceeds the courier’s limit, consider splitting the shipment.
• Keep the invoice clear: product name, quantity, value, and country of origin.

Following these basics reduces the odds of a surprise hold.

Beyond the obvious limits, some couriers have special rules for hazardous or fragile goods. If you’re shipping batteries, for example, look for the “Lithium‑Ion” clause. Many providers require batteries to be packed in a way that prevents short circuits and must be labelled correctly.

When in doubt, call the courier’s customer service line. A quick 2‑minute chat can tell you whether a product needs extra packaging, a different service tier, or outright cannot be shipped.

Finally, remember that restrictions can change with new regulations or seasonal policies. During holiday peaks, some couriers tighten size limits to speed up processing. Keep an eye on the latest updates on the courier’s website or subscribe to their alerts.

Bottom line: a little homework before you seal the box pays off in smoother deliveries. Check prohibited items, verify weight and dimension caps, and gather the right paperwork. Your next shipment will move faster, and you’ll avoid those annoying “cannot be delivered” calls.