Prohibited and restricted items

Couriers can't carry everything. Prohibited items can't travel at all; restricted items can, but with conditions — often without compensation cover.

Never send these

Aerosols and compressed gases
Deodorant, spray paint, camping gas — pressurised containers can rupture in transit.
Flammable liquids and solids
Petrol, lighter fluid, solvents, paint thinners, matches, firelighters.
Perfume and aftershave
Classed as flammable liquids by most UK networks.
Loose lithium batteries
Power banks and spare batteries. Batteries installed in a device are usually fine — see restricted.
Alcohol over 24% ABV
Spirits are prohibited on most services; beer and wine are restricted instead.
Weapons, ammunition and fireworks
Including replica and deactivated items, knives and explosive material of any kind.
Illegal items and drugs
Including psychoactive substances and drug paraphernalia.
Living things
Animals, insects, and most plants and seeds.
Human or animal remains
Including ashes — some couriers offer specialist services outside ParcelBuzz.

Restricted — allowed with conditions

Electronics with installed batteries
Fine on most services — the battery must be installed in the device, and the device switched off.
Beer, wine and cider
Allowed on many services with proper packaging; sender must confirm the recipient is 18+.
Glass, ceramics and fragile goods
Carried, but often excluded from damage compensation — double-box and mark as fragile.
Jewellery and watches
Value limits apply and compensation is often capped — check cover before sending.
Food
Sealed, non-perishable food with a long shelf life only. No fresh or frozen items.
Liquids under 1 litre (non-flammable)
Sealed bag plus absorbent packaging; some couriers exclude them from cover.

Why this matters

Prohibited items are usually found at the depot scan. At best the parcel is returned; at worst it’s destroyed, and any damage it causes becomes the sender’s liability. Sending a restricted item outside its conditions typically voids compensation — so if something goes wrong, there’s no cover.

Not sure about your item? Ask us before you book — it takes two minutes and can save the whole parcel.