Prohibited/Restricted Items

To comply with transport regulations & in line with other parcel delivery businesses, Parcelforce does not carry the majority of goods classified as dangerous in the latest edition of the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s Technical Instructions. Parcelforce also prohibit or restrict other materials & products that may be hazardous to staff & operation.

Dangerous, prohibited & restricted goods (where you do not comply with the relevant terms & conditions) or goods sent in breach of sanctions. Further information about sanctions can be found at parcelforce.com/sanctions.
List is not definitive and may be changed from time to time refer to parcelforce.com for the most up to date information. 

Restrictions and Prohibitions:

Restrictions

Parcelforce can carry the following items for you, but conditions are applied, 

Aerosols for personal use are ok, Aerosols for other purposes (including spray paints, lacquers, polishes, solvents, air-fresheners, oven cleaners etc CAN NOT BE SENT)

*Volume per item must not exceed 500ml. No more than two aerosols can be sent in any one package. Valves must be protected by a cap or other suitable means to prevent inadvertent release of the contents during transport. Aerosols must be tightly packed in strong outer packaging and must be secured or cushioned to prevent any damage.Any package containing aerosol(s) must display the “ID8000” label. See Annex A.The sender’s name & return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging.

Alcoholic beverages

Alcoholic beverages and liquids (greater than 70% ABV)

Volume must not exceed 1 litre for any one item & no more than two items can be sent in any one package. Must be securely closed & placed in a leak-proof liner, such as a sealed polythene bag. Surround with absorbent material & sufficient cushioning material to protect each item from breakage. No more than two items can be sent in any one package. Mark as ‘FRAGILE’ when sending glass bottles. The sender’s name & return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging.

Arms & ammunition - Carriage of firearms between registered firearms dealers WILL NOT be accepted by us.

Batteries: 

Batteries are subject to these tests irrespective of whether the cells of which they are composed have been so tested. Cells and batteries must be manufactured under a quality management programme as specified in the ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air. Cells or batteries that are defective for safety reasons, or that have been damaged, are forbidden.

Any person preparing or offering cells or batteries in equipment for transport must receive adequate instruction on the requirements commensurate with their responsibilities. Cells and batteries must be protected against short circuit. The equipment containing cells or batteries must be packed in strong rigid packaging and must be secured against movement within the outer packaging and packed to prevent accidental activation. The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging.

Cells & batteries must be manufactured under a quality management programme as specified in the ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air. Cells or batteries that are defective for safety reasons, or that have been damaged, are forbidden. Any person preparing or offering cells or batteries with equipment for transport must receive adequate instruction on the requirements commensurate with their responsibilities. The consignment must be accompanied with a document with an indication that the package contains lithium ion cells or batteries; that the package must be handled with care and that a flammability hazard exists if the package is damaged; that special procedures must be followed in the event the package is damaged, to include inspection and repacking if necessary; & also a telephone number for additional information. Cells & batteries must be packed in inner packagings that completely enclose the cell or battery.

Cells and batteries must be protected against short circuit, including protection against contact with conductive materials within the same packaging that could lead to a short circuit. The equipment sent with cells or batteries must be packed in strong rigid packaging and must be secured against movement within the outer packaging and packed to prevent accidental activation. Outer package must display the Lithium battery handling label (See Annex A). The sender’s name & return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging.

Lithium ion/polymer/metal batteries sent on their own - only via the concurrence process and only available to limited mainland destinations (road only).

Must be sent in compliance with Special Provision 188 of ADR:

Cells and batteries offered for carriage are not subject to other provisions of ADR if they meet the following:

(a) For a lithium metal or lithium alloy cell, the lithium content is not more than 1 g, and for a lithium ion cell, the Watt-hour rating is not more than 20 Wh;

(b) For a lithium metal or lithium alloy battery the aggregate lithium content is not more than 2 g, and for a lithium ion battery, the Watt-hour rating is not more than 100 Wh. Lithium ion batteries subject to this provision shall be marked with the Watt-hour rating on the outside case, except those manufactured before 1 January 2009;

(c) Each cell and battery must be of a type proven to meet the requirements of each test in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, section 38.3. Batteries are subject to these tests irrespective of whether the cells of which they are composed have been so tested. Cells and batteries must be manufactured under a quality management programme as specified in ADR. Cells or batteries that are defective for safety reasons, or that have been damaged, are forbidden.

(d) Cells and batteries shall be packed in inner packaging’s that completely enclose the cell or battery. Cells and batteries shall be protected so as to prevent short circuits. This includes protection against contact with conductive materials within the same packaging that could lead to a short circuit. The inner packaging’s shall be packed in strong outer packagings which conform to the provisions of 4.1.1.1, 4.1.1.2 and 4.1.1.5;

(e) Each package shall be marked with the following:

(i) an indication that the package contains "lithium metal" or "lithium ion" cells or batteries, as appropriate;

(ii) an indication that the package shall be handled with care and that a flammability hazard exists if the package is damaged;

(iii) an indication that special procedures shall be followed in the event the package is damaged, to include inspection and repacking if necessary; and

(iv) a telephone number for additional information;

(f) Each consignment of one or more packages marked in accordance with paragraph (e) shall be accompanied with a document including the following:

(i) an indication that the package contains "lithium metal" or "lithium ion"cells or batteries, as appropriate;

(ii) an indication that the package shall be handled with care and that a flammability hazard exists if the package is damaged;

(iii) an indication that special procedures shall be followed in the event the package is damaged, to include inspection and repacking if necessary; and

(iv) a telephone number for additional information;

(h) Each package shall be capable of withstanding a 1.2 m drop test in any orientation without damage to cells or batteries contained therein, without shifting of the contents so as to allow battery to battery (or cell to cell) contact and without release of contents; and

(i) Packages shall not exceed 30 kg gross mass. As used above and elsewhere in ADR, "lithium content" means the mass of lithium in the anode of a lithium metal or lithium alloy cell. Separate entries exist for lithium metal batteries and lithium ion batteries to facilitate the carriage of these batteries for specific modes of carriage and to enable the application of different emergency response actions.

Any person preparing or offering cells or batteries with or in equipment for transport must receive adequate instruction on the requirements commensurate with their responsibilities.

Lithium metal/alloy batteries sent with equipment - The maximum number of batteries allowed in each package is the minimum number required to power the equipment plus two spares. The maximum net quantity of cells or batteries is 5 kg per package. The lithium content must not be more than 1g per cell or 2g per battery. Each cell and battery must be of a type proven to meet the requirements of each test in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, section 38.3.

Batteries are subject to these tests irrespective of whether the cells of which they are composed have been so tested. Cells and batteries must be manufactured under a quality management programme as specified in the ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air. Cells or batteries that are defective for safety reasons, or that have been damaged, are forbidden.

Any person preparing or offering cells or batteries with equipment for transport must receive adequate instruction on the requirements commensurate with their responsibilities. The consignment must be accompanied with a document with an indication that the package contains lithium metal cells or batteries; that the package must be handled with care and that a flammability hazard exists if the package is damaged; that special procedures must be followed in the event the package is damaged, to include inspection and repacking if necessary; and also a telephone number for additional information. Cells and batteries must be packed in inner packaging’s that completely enclose the cell or battery. Cells and batteries must be protected against short circuit, including protection against contact with conductive materials within the same packaging that could lead to a short circuit. The equipment sent with cells or batteries must be packed in strong rigid packaging and must be secured against movement within the outer packaging and packed to prevent accidental activation. Outer package must display the Lithium battery handling label. The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging. Lithium metal/alloy batteries contained in equipment - Each package must contain no more than four cells or two batteries installed in equipment. The maximum net quantity of cells or batteries is 5kg per package. The lithium content must not be more than 1g per cell or 2g per battery. Each cell and battery must be of a type proven to meet the requirements of each test in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, section 38.3. Batteries are subject to these tests irrespective of whether the cells of which they are composed have been so tested. Cells and batteries must be manufactured under a quality management programme as specified in the ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air. Cells or batteries that are defective for safety reasons, or that have been damaged, are forbidden.

Any person preparing or offering cells or batteries in equipment for transport must receive adequate instruction on the requirements commensurate with their responsibilities. Cells and batteries must be protected against short circuit. The equipment containing cells or batteries must be packed in strong rigid packaging and must be secured against movement within the outer packaging and packed to prevent accidental activation. The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging.

Wet, non-spillable batteries - Batteries must comply with Special Provision 238 of the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Model Regulations (please check with the manufacturer or distributor). No more than one battery in any one package. Maximum weight 1.5kg. Item must be protected against short circuit (by the effective insulation of exposed terminals) and securely packaged. Package must be marked “NOT RESTRICTED” and “SPA67 /SP238”. The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging.

Biological Substance (Category B)

Diagnostic specimens including blood and urine. Category B (UN3373) as classified in the latest edition of the ICAO Technical Instructions for Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air. May only be sent by, or at the specific request of, a qualified medical practitioner, registered dental practitioner, veterinary surgeon, registered nurse or a recognised laboratory or institution. The total sample volume/mass in any parcel must not exceed 50ml/50g.

All biological substances must be posted in packaging that complies with Packaging Instruction 650 of the Technical Instructions, however dry ice (UN1845) is not permitted. The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging. Infectious Substances assigned to Category B are only permitted for destinations within the United Kingdom.

Lighters (new, not containing flammable liquids or gases)

Must be new, empty & sent unopened in their original retail packaging. A sender’s name & return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging,

Living creatures

Certain living creatures are accepted only if enclosed in packs constructed so as to prevent injury to Parcelforce staff & its agents, or damage to other packages. 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 destinations in Zones 1 to 3:

• Caterpillars.

• Earthworms.

• Fish fry and eggs.

• Lugworms.

• Maggots.

• Mealworms.

• Pupae and chrysalides.

• Ragworms.

No other living creatures are accepted.

To send any of the above, express9, express10, expressAM or express24 services must be used for Zones 1 to 3.

Perfume & aftershave (including Eau de Toilette, eau de perfume)

May be sent within the UK, Channel Islands & Isle of Man only. Volume per item must not exceed 150 ml. No more than four perfumes or aftershaves can be sent in any one package. The perfume or aftershave must be within its original retail packaging & then placed in strong outer packaging. The inner packagings must be packed, secured or cushioned to prevent breakage or leakage of their contents into the outer packaging. An ID8000 label must be applied (See Annex A). The sender’s name & return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging.

Nail varnish & polish Volume per item must not exceed 30 ml. No more than four bottles of nail varnish can be sent in any one package. Bottles of nail varnish must be placed in strong outer packaging & be so packed, secured or cushioned in such a way that they cannot break, be punctured or leak  their contents into the outer packaging. An ID8000 label must be applied (See Annex A). The sender’s name & return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging.

Perishables Fresh fruit, meat, fish & other perishable articles should be able to withstand transit times of at least 48 hours & must be sent on a next day service as a minimum requirement within the UK. Packages must be clearly labelled ‘PERISHABLE’. Packages of fish should be smoked or chilled & sealed in vacuum packs before sending. In all cases, they must be enclosed in adequate polystyrene containment to prevent contamination. It is the responsibility of the shipper to package all perishable articles in such a manner that during transport the contents are kept at an appropriate temperature that is unlikely to give rise to a risk to health.

Plants Live plants may only be sent in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in the heading ‘Perishable foodstuffs and articles’ above.

Prescription medicines drugs sent for scientific purposes. May only be sent by, or at the specific request of, a qualified medical practitioner, registered dental practitioner, veterinary surgeon, registered nurse or a recognised laboratory or institution. Volume/mass per item must not exceed 50ml/50g. The medicines must be securely closed & placed in a leak-proof container such as a sealed polythene bag (for liquids) or a sift-proof container (for solids). Must be tightly packed in strong outer packaging & must be secured or cushioned to prevent any damage. The sender’s name & return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging. If the medicines are classified as dangerous goods (flammable or toxic) by the ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air, an ID8000 label must be applied (See Annex A).

Radioactive materials Radioactive materials not classified as dangerous goods in the latest edition of the ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air, such as samples of granite rock, Surround with cushioning material e.g. bubble wrap.The sender’s name & return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging.
Sharp objects and instruments (including scissors and kitchen knives/utensils)
These items may only be despatched if they are packaged appropriately so that they do not present a risk to staff, other packages or recipients.
Works of art are excluded from compensation for loss or damage.

Prohibited goods In the event of Parcelforce returning an item to the sender due to contravention of customs regulations for Prohibited Goods, the charges will not be refunded & a return charge may apply.

Arms and ammunition Ammunition (other than lead pellets & other airgun and airsoft projectiles) is prohibited. All weapons (including Section 5 firearms, CS gas and pepper sprays, flick knives, tasers & stun guns; components of firearms & all other items similar to, or resembling the foregoing) are prohibited.
Christmas crackers Christmas Crackers are prohibited.
Counterfeit currency Counterfeit currency &counterfeit stamps are prohibited.
Dangerous Goods To comply with transport regulations & in line with other parcel delivery companies, Parcelforce does not carry the majority of goods classified as dangerous in the latest edition of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air. Prohibited dangerous goods include (for example):

• Explosives such as fireworks, flares & blasting caps

• Gases including cylinders for camping stoves, gas cartridges, fire extinguishers & scuba tanks

• Flammable liquids including acetone, benzene, petroleum, lighter fluid, solvent-based paint thinners & removers and many paints, enamels & adhesives.

Compensation:
£100 compensation insurance is included for loss or damage, with additional compensation available up to £1000.

Some exclusions apply.
Items excluded from compensation:
Dangerous, prohibited or restricted goods (where you do not comply with the relevant terms & conditions), or goods sent in breach of sanctions.

Money, coins & financial documents or money's equivalent.

• Includes banker's drafts, credit/debit cards, current bank notes, currency notes/coins, postal orders, cheques or dividend warrants, bearer securities including share warrants, scrips or subscription certificates, bonds or relative coupons, unfranked postage stamps or revenue stamps (except a revenue stamp embossed or impressed on an instrument which has been executed), coupons, vouchers, tokens, lottery tickets, scratch cards or similar items which can be exchanged themselves or with any other item for money, goods or services, national insurance stamps. Out of circulation coins (not made of gold or silver) & bank notes are classed as collectables.
• Nationally issued government certificates or licences which have a reissue value are covered for loss/damage but compensation is limited solely to the national government reissue cost. E.G. passports, driver's licences, wedding certificates, birth certificates, death certificates & changes of name or gender certificates.
• Negotiable documents.
• Stamps: unused or unfranked postage or revenue stamps. Out of circulation or franked stamps are treated as collectables for compensation purposes.
• All tickets, including travel/events or tickets which are exchangeable for goods or services e.g. airline tickets.

Valuables

• Antiques (objects over 100 years old)
• Platinum, gold, silver or other precious metals or made mostly or wholly of.
• Precious stones e.g. diamonds.
• Fur (except imitation).
• Jewellery (except imitation).
• Sim cards.
• Watches or Clocks, including watch movements & other parts.

Excluded from compensation for damage only.

Any items that by their inherent nature are particularly susceptible to damage are excluded from compensation in the event of damage on all services. This includes but is not limited to the below:

• Automotive vehicle parts & body work for example but not limited to doors, bumpers, headlights & other large body parts or panels.
• Cakes of all types.
• Cases (including suitcases or musical instrument cases) when used as external packaging.
• Ceramics or composites wholly or partially made of china &/or porcelain.
• Collectable toys or action figures, where the original packaging contributes to the item’s value.
• Computer monitors including laptop screens, all-in-one desktops and iMacs.
• Furniture flat packed or ready built e.g. tables, chairs, shelves, cupboards or similar items.
• Lighting fluorescent tubes, neon lighting, X-ray tubes, light bulbs etc. or other fragile lighting items.
• Models, e.g. completed kit or scratch build models, dolls houses or architectural models.
• Televisions CRT, LCD, LED or Plasma screens.

Items made wholly or partially of the following materials or similar materials:

• Ceramics e.g. china, porcelain.
• Composites e.g. concrete, fragranite.
• Glass Items wholly or partially made from or containing glass, e.g. picture frames or clocks containing glass or crystal items. Damage to other items in the parcel caused by broken glass will not be covered
• Plaster items including plaster of paris, fibre clay.
• Resin items including amorphite, amber, composites.
• Rock, stone or mineral items including granite, marble, fossils, geodes, gem stones, crystals or similar items.
• Packaging (external) e.g. if items are sent in a suitcase, musical instrument case or in the manufacturer or retailer’s original packaging without adequate external packaging, Parcelforce will not be liable for damage to the suitcase, musical instrument case or manufacturer or retailer’s packaging.
  Special conditions or restrictions.

Perishable foodstuffs & articles: All perishable items, including food, eggs, cakes, plants, flowers, seeds & medicines, may only be sent in accordance with the terms and conditions set out under the heading "Perishable foodstuffs and articles". on the Parcelforce website.
UK Parcels which contain perishable foodstuffs or articles must be sent by a next day service as a minimum requirement, and be able to withstand transit times of at least two working days. Items sent on a Friday must be sent on a next day Saturday parcel delivery service. Claims for damage will not be accepted where the goods have perished & the parcel was delivered within two working days. Claims for damage caused by late delivery will not be accepted where this was outside of our control.

Musical instruments are excluded from enhanced compensation. Guitars & brass instruments are particularly prone to damage & should be packed very carefully in a hard case.

Collectable Items: Any loss of, or damage to, any collectable shall be limited to the lesser of the actual cost price paid for the collectable by the seller or the purchase price paid by the buyer & shall not exceed Parcelforce' stated limits of compensation. 

FULLY TRACKED WITH SIGNATURE SERVICE

Each parcel is fully tracked with an online electronic signature upon delivery.
You can check the progress of your parcels from collection through to delivery by entering your tracking number on the main Parcelforce website.

Your tracking number is on the label you printed and applied to your parcel, if the driver applied the label for you then your tracking number will be on the receipt he/she gave you upon the collection.

If you are the receiver of the parcel, please contact the sender for the tracking number in the first instance, if they are unable to give it to you, then please contact us.

PRICE EXAMPLES

Book your parcels with Parcels Cheaper and save on your Parcelforce deliveries. 

We offer a flat rate at a highly discounted price for up to 30 kgs.

Our prices are now reduced when sending to Thailand, compare our prices, you will not find cheaper for the same identical service when sending parcels to Thailand.

Sending to Thailand

*A PRINTER IS REQUIRED
*DROP-OFF AT A POST OFFICE/PARCELFORCE DEPOT OR ADD A COLLECTION FOR £1 EXTRA PER PARCEL (CALL TO BOOK).
*The last collection time at most Post Offices Monday - Friday is 3pm, therefore if you Drop Off your parcel after this time it will be collected the next working day.

Your label will be emailed to you after booking which will have your tracking number on it.

The maximum length of a parcel with Parcelforce is 150 cms.
Enter the length, width and height in the boxes on the right to get a quote.
Over-sized/overweight parcels will be held and an additional fee is required to pay before release.

Do not send fragile items, furniture or white goods as these are not insured. £100 insurance included per parcel.

If Parcelforce try to deliver the parcel and you are not in they will put a card through your door advising you to call the phone number supplied to re book a different date. The main Parcelforce phone number is 0344 800 4466.      

Packaging
Ensure your parcels are well wrapped to protect them from damage, damage caused to parcels not sufficiently packaged will result in an insurance claim invalid.

Send from any U.K. post office
Special discount rates.
IMPORTANT: A CN22 form must be filled in when sending any parcel to Thailand.