Restricted & Prohibited Items
By Volkan
By Volkan
What we can and can't ship, batteries, flammables and what happens to flagged packages.
Restricted and prohibited items: what we can ship and what happens if a package is flagged
Short answer: Some items can never leave our warehouse, including perfume, other flammable products, and loose batteries or power banks. If a package is flagged, our operations team reviews it within 1–2 days, and you can then remove the item, have it disposed of for free, or send it to another address in the US. Chart showing which items we can and can't ship internationally, and the options and costs if a package is flagged Prohibited vs restricted - Prohibited items can't be shipped internationally through ForwardMe under any circumstances. - Restricted items can only ship if they meet specific packing and paperwork rules. Our team may ask for extra information, such as a safety data sheet, before we can approve them. Carriers, airlines and destination countries all set their own rules. An item can be accepted on one route and refused on another, and a country can ban products that are fine elsewhere. Items we can't ship Many common products count as dangerous goods for air transport, and others are prohibited outright: | Item | Can we ship it internationally? | |---|---| | Perfume, cologne and liquid fragrances | No | | Other flammable items (for example nail polish, aerosols and lighters) | No | | Lithium-ion batteries packed with or installed in equipment (UN3481) | Yes, when properly packed | | Loose or standalone batteries | No | | Power banks | No | | Alcohol | No | | Tobacco, e-cigarettes and vapes | No | | Cash and currency, and credit, debit or prepaid cards | No | | Crypto hardware wallets holding funds | No | | Passports and government-issued IDs | No | | Knives, weapons, and firearm parts or accessories | No | | Counterfeit and replica goods | No | | Lottery tickets and gambling devices | No | | Food that needs refrigeration, and other perishables | No | Our Terms (§5.1) carry the full list of prohibited items, so check there as well if your item isn't in the table. About batteries: we only ship lithium-ion batteries under UN3481, which means the battery is installed in a device (such as a laptop, phone or camera) or packed in the same box as the device it powers. Spare batteries on their own and power banks can't be accepted. You can check what can be exported to your country with our import and export trade restrictions lookup tool. If you're still not sure about an item, check with our support team before you buy it. It's much easier than dealing with a flagged package later. "It shipped fine last time" We understand how frustrating this is. Rules change, and a previous shipment going through doesn't guarantee the same item will be accepted again. Every package is checked against the current rules for its carrier and destination. What happens if your package is flagged 1. We mark the package as Forbidden in your account. You'll see a warning message on the package and get an email. While it's marked, a shipment can't be created by mistake. 2. Our operations team reviews it within 1–2 days. We may contact you for details or documents. 3. You choose what happens next. | Option | What it means | Cost | |---|---|---| | Remove the item | We take the restricted item out, so the rest of the package can ship | Free | | Dispose of the item | We safely dispose of it for you | Free | | Send it to another US address (including back to the seller) | You provide a return label | $10 handling fee | | Send it to another US address (including back to the seller) | We provide the label | Courier cost + $10 service fee | Safety data sheets (MSDS/SDS) For some products, such as chemicals, cosmetics or electronics with batteries, we may ask for a safety data sheet. This is a document from the manufacturer that describes the product's contents and hazards. You can usually get it from the seller or the manufacturer's website, or by asking their customer service team. Common questions Is my flagged package stuck at your warehouse forever? No. Once the review is done, you can have the item removed, disposed of for free, or sent to an address in the US. Can I ship perfume if it's not in an aerosol can? No. Perfume and other flammable liquids can't be shipped, whatever the container. My laptop has a built-in battery. Can I ship it? Yes. Batteries installed in a device, or packed with the device they power, ship under UN3481. Loose spare batteries and power banks can't. Will choosing a different courier let me ship perfume or a power bank? No. Flammable items, loose batteries and power banks can't be shipped with any of our shipping options. For other restricted items, contact our support team before you buy. Is disposal free? Yes. We don't charge to dispose of an item. Still need help? Our support team is available on weekdays from 09:00 to 17:00 ET at [email protected].
Medicines, supplements, cosmetics and other special items
Short answer: We can't ship over-the-counter medicines, seeds and plants, animal products and fur, or knives and weapons. Non-flammable cosmetics are fine, and vitamins and supplements can ship if your destination country allows them. For prescription medicines, contact our support team before you buy. Medicines, supplements, cosmetics: can we ship it? Can we ship it? | Item | Can we ship it internationally? | What to know | |---|---|---| | Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines | No | Not accepted | | Prescription medicines | Ask first | An extra procedure may be required, and a handling fee may apply. Contact support before you buy | | Vitamins and supplements | Depends on destination | Shipped only if your country's rules allow them | | Non-flammable cosmetics (for example creams, lotions, makeup) | Yes | We may ask for a safety data sheet for some products | | Flammable cosmetics (for example perfume and nail polish) | No | Flammable items can't be shipped | | Seeds and plants | No | Not accepted | | Animal products and fur | No | Not accepted | | Weapon accessories and knives | No | Not accepted | For batteries, power banks, perfume and other flammable items, see "Restricted and prohibited items: what we can ship and what happens if a package is flagged". Check your destination's rules Your destination country sets its own import rules, and they can be stricter than ours. An item we can ship may still be banned or limited where you live. Before you buy, use our import and export trade restrictions lookup tool to see what can be exported to your country. This matters most for vitamins and supplements, which we ship only when the destination allows them. Prescription medicines Prescription medicines need extra care. Depending on the item, an extra procedure may be required before we can ship it, and a handling fee may apply. Because it depends on the medicine and the destination, please contact our support team before you buy, and tell us what the item is and where it's going. Cosmetics Non-flammable cosmetics, such as creams, lotions and makeup, can be shipped. Anything flammable can't, which includes perfume and nail polish. For some products we may ask for a safety data sheet (MSDS/SDS), which you can usually get from the seller or the manufacturer. What happens if a package is flagged If an item in your package can't be shipped: 1. We mark the package as Forbidden in your account, so a shipment can't be created by mistake. 2. You're notified. You'll see a warning message on the package, and we'll also email you. 3. Our operations team reviews it within 1–2 days. We may contact you for details or documents. 4. You choose what happens next: remove the item (free), have it disposed of (free), or send it to another US address. Sending it within the US costs a $10 handling fee if you provide the label, or the courier cost + a $10 service fee if we provide it. Common questions Can I ship painkillers or cold medicine I bought at a pharmacy? No. We don't accept over-the-counter medicines. Can I ship my prescription medicine? Possibly, but check with our support team before you buy. An extra procedure may be needed, and a handling fee may apply. Are lotions and makeup OK? Yes, as long as they aren't flammable. Perfume and nail polish can't be shipped. Can I ship protein powder or vitamins? Only if your destination country allows them. Check the lookup tool first. My package was marked Forbidden. Is it stuck forever? No. After the review, you can remove the item, have it disposed of for free, or send it to a US address. Still need help? Our support team is available on weekdays from 09:00 to 17:00 ET at [email protected].