Dangerous prohibited goods

Senditnow.com complies with strict transport regulations. We will not carry certain goods and substances. Please check these guidelines on prohibited goods before you arrange despatch.

To comply with strict regulations, senditnow.com does not carry any goods classified as dangerous in the latest edition of the International Civil Aviation Organisation's Technical Instructions. There are nine hazard classes, and the examples quoted below must not be taken as full lists of all dangerous goods. We will not accept other materials and products that may be hazardous to our handling staff.

Dangerous goods are defined as those goods that meet the criteria of one or more of the nine UN hazard classes. These classes relate to the type of hazard and are detailed below. All dangerous goods are prohibited.

All restricted items and liquids should be packaged in good quality packaging that is of adequate strength for the purpose. They should be constructed and closed so as to prevent any leakage that might be caused under normal conditions of carriage within senditnow.com's delivery network.

Class 1: Explosives Definition: Any chemical compound, mixture or device capable of producing an explosive-pyrotechnic effect, with substantial instantaneous release of heat and gas. All explosives are prohibited. Examples: Nitroglycerine; Fireworks; Blasting caps; Christmas Cracker Snaps; Igniters; Fuses; Flares; Ammunition, etc.

Class 2: Gases compressed, liquified or dissolved under pressure. Definitions: Permanent gases which cannot be liquified at ambient temperatures; liquified gases, which become liquid under pressure at ambient temperatures; dissolved gases which are dissolved under pressure in a solvent. Class 3: Flammable Liquids Definition: Liquids, mixtures of liquids, or liquids containing solids in solution or suspension that give off a flammable vapour. Any liquid with a closed cup flash point below 60.5° C is prohibited. Examples: Acetone; Benzene; Cleaning Compounds; Gasoline; Lighter Fuel; Paint Thinners and Removers; Petroleum; Solvents, etc.

Class 4.1: Flammable solids, self-reactive substances and solid desensitized explosives. Class 4.2: Substances liable to spontaneous combustion and Class 4.3: Substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases definition: Solid materials that are liable to cause fire by friction, absorption of water, spontaneous chemical changes, or retained heat from manufacturing or processing, or which can be readily ignited and burn vigorously. Examples: Matches (any type inc. safety); Calcium Carbide; Cellulose Nitrate products; Metallic Magnesium; Nitro-cellulose based film; Phosphorous; Potassium; Sodium; Sodium Hydride; Zinc Powder; Zirconium Hydride, etc.

Class 5.1: Oxidizing Substances and Class 5.2: Organic peroxides definition: Though not necessarily combustible themselves, these substances may cause or contribute to combustion of other substances. They may also be liable to explosive decomposition, react dangerously with other substances, and be injurious to health. All oxidising substances and organic peroxides are prohibited. Examples: Bromates; Chlorates; Components of Fibreglass repair kits; Nitrates; Perchlorates; Permangamates; Peroxides, etc.

Class 6.1: Toxic substances and Class 6.2: Infectious Substances. Definition: substances liable to cause death or injury if swallowed or inhaled, or by skin contact. All toxic substances are prohibited. Examples: Arsenic; Beryllium; Cyanide; Fluorine; Hydrogen Selenide; Infectious substances containing micro-organisms or their toxins which are known to cause (or are suspected of causing) disease; Mercury; Mercury Salts; Mustard Gas; Nitrobenzine; Nitrogen Dioxide; Pesticides; Poisons; Rat Poison, etc. Infectious substances assigned to Category A are prohibited. Examples: ebola, foot and mouth disease, UN3291 clinical waste is prohibited.

Class 7: Radioactive Material Definition: All materials and samples that are classified as radioactive using Table 2-12 of the latest edition of the International Civil Aviation Organisation's Technical Instructions. Examples: Fissile Material (Uranium 235,etc.); Radioactive Waste Material; Uranium or Thorium Ores, etc.

Class 8: Corrosive substances Definition: Substances which can cause severe damage by chemical action to living tissue, other freight, or the means of transport. All corrosive substances are prohibited. Examples: Aluminium Chloride; Caustic Soda; Corrosive Cleaning Fluid; Corrosive Rust Remover/ Preventative; Corrosive Paint Remover; Electric Storage Batteries; Hydrochloric Acid; Nitric Acid; Sulphuric Acid, etc.

Class 9: Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles definition: Substances which present dangers not covered elsewhere. Examples: Asbestos; Dry Ice (solid carbon dioxide); Magnetised Material with a magnetic field strength of 0.159 A/m or more at a distance of 2.1m from the outside of the parcel.

Other prohibited / restricted goods.

Alcoholic Beverages

Alcohol content should not be greater than 70%.

Arms and Ammunition

Arms and ammunition may not be sent through senditnow.com.

Batteries

These may only be sent in their retail packaging, still sealed and in good condition.

Biological Substance, Category B

All Infectious Substances assigned to Category B must be posted in packaging that complies with Packing Instructions 650. The total sample volume/mass in any package shall not exceed 50ml/g. Infectious Substances assigned to Category B are only permitted for destinations within the United Kingdom.

Christmas Crackers

These may only be sent in complete made-up form and in their retail packaging.

Counterfeit Currency and Postage Stamps

Postage stamps are prohibited unless franked or no longer usable for postage purposes. Counterfeit currency is prohibited.

Diagnostic Specimens

These must always be sent in packaging that complies with Packing Instructions 650 available from the DTI. The total sample volume/mass in any parcel shall not exceed 50ml/g.

Drugs

Controlled drugs may not be sent on any senditnow.com service. Those discovered in transit will be stopped, and handed to Customs or the Police, who may take legal action against the sender and/or addressee. Examples, Cocaine, Cannabis resin, LSD, Narcotics, Morphine, Opium, Psychotropic substances etc.

Filth

Foul or disgusting material is prohibited.

Human and animal remains

Human and animal remains are prohibited.

Indecent, obscene or offensive articles

Indecent, obscene or offensive communications, prints, photographs, books or other articles, and packets bearing grossly offensive, indecent or obscene words, marks or designs are prohibited. Those discovered in transit will be stopped and handed to Customs or the Police, who may take legal action against the sender and/or addressee.

Infectious Substances

Infectious substances assigned to Category A are prohibited.

Living Creatures

Certain living creatures are accepted only if enclosed in packs constructed so as to prevent injury to Senditnow.com staff or its agents or damage to other parcels. The following are accepted: Bees, destroyers of noxious pests and other insects sent to or from officially recognised institutions, leeches and certain parasites, silkworms. In addition the following may be sent to UK destinations: Caterpillars, earthworms, fish fry and eggs, lugworms, maggots, mealworms, pupae and chrysalides and ragworms. To send any of the above, our next day by noon or our next day services must be used. No other living creatures are acceptable.

Lottery Tickets

Tickets and related advertisements for illegal lotteries are prohibited.

Miscellaneous Manufactured Articles

Goods made in foreign prisons, except those imported for a non-commercial purpose of a kind not manufactured in the United Kingdom, or those in transit, are prohibited.

Misleading Endorsements

Parcels must not bear words, marks or designs that are unauthorised, or may reasonably lead the recipient to believe that the packet has been sent On Her Majesty's Service.

Perishable Articles

Fresh fruit, meat, fish and other perishable articles should be able to withstand a journey of up to two days, and must be sent on a next day service as a minimum requirement. Packages must be clearly labelled PERISHABLE. Packages of fish should be smoked or chilled, and sealed in vacuum packs before consignment. In all cases they must be enclosed in adequate polystyrene containment to prevent contamination. It is the responsibility of the sender to package all perishable articles in such a manner that during transportation the contents are kept at an appropriate temperature that is unlikely to give rise to a risk to health.

Prescription Drugs

Sent specifically for medical or scientific purposes, for example from a medical practitioner to a hospital, must contain the address and telephone number of the sender in case of non-delivery, so that they may be returned without delay. The properties of these drugs must not meet any of the nine UN hazard classes listed within the prohibitions section when classified by the sender. Private individuals can, in emergencies, send prescription quantities provided they include their own address and telephone number on the inside of the parcel.

Sharp Objects

These items may only be posted if they are packaged appropriately so that they do not represent a risk to employees, other parcels or recipients.