How to Ship Anything, Anywhere.

Choose the right box

Use a rigid, corrugated cardboard box rated for the item weight. Double-wall boxes are required for items over 5 kg or fragile goods.

Fill all empty space

Use bubble wrap, foam peanuts, or crumpled paper to prevent movement. Items must not shift inside the box — 5 cm of padding on all sides minimum.

Seal with strong tape

Use 50 mm brown parcel tape, not masking or sellotape. Apply the H-taping method across all seams and edges.

Label clearly

Full delivery address including postcode and country on the outside. Include a return address. Cover any old labels from previous shipments.

Weigh and measure accurately

Carriers charge by weight or dimensional weight (L × W × H ÷ 5000), whichever is greater. Inaccurate details cause delays and surcharges.

Fragile items

Wrap each item individually before placing in the outer box. Double-box extremely fragile items. Mark the outer box FRAGILE on all sides.

Absolutely prohibited

Explosives, fireworks, illegal drugs, counterfeit goods, human remains (without permits), living animals (without specific courier approval) and pornographic material.

Prohibited by most carriers

Standalone lithium batteries over 100Wh, aerosols over 500 ml, perfumes over 30 ml (air freight), flammable liquids, radioactive materials.

Currency and financial instruments

Cash, travellers cheques and banknotes cannot be sent via standard parcel services. Use licensed financial transfer services.

Destination-specific bans

Many countries prohibit specific items — pork products to Muslim-majority countries, alcohol to dry countries. Always verify destination country rules before shipping.

Export Health Certificate (EHC)

Required for any food containing products of animal origin (meat, dairy, eggs, fish, honey). Apply through APHA at exports@apha.gov.uk.

Items banned from EU export

Chilled minced red meat, raw sausages, mechanically separated poultry, raw milk from TB herds and ungraded eggs are prohibited from UK to EU.

Border Control Post inspection

All animal-origin foods entering the EU must pass inspection at an approved Border Control Post. Advance notice required via TRACES.

Maximum Residue Levels

EU-bound goods must comply with EU regulations on veterinary medicine residues, contaminants and pesticide levels. Non-compliant shipments are rejected at the border.

Certificate of Free Sale

Some non-EU markets require this for processed foods. Available through the Rural Payments Agency.

Perishables packaging

Use insulated containers with ice packs. Mark as PERISHABLE — KEEP REFRIGERATED. Outer packaging must be waterproof and leakproof.

ADR certification required

Road transport of dangerous goods requires a current ADR certificate. Refresher courses are mandatory to maintain certification.

IATA regulations for air freight

Air shipments governed by IATA DGR. Covers lithium batteries, flammable liquids, oxidising substances. Incorrect classification is a criminal offence.

Lithium batteries

Li-ion cells over 20Wh and packs over 100Wh require dangerous goods declaration. State-of-charge below 30%. Cannot travel as cargo on passenger aircraft standalone.

Labelling requirements

Correct UN number, hazard diamond and handling labels required. Minimum label size 100 mm × 100 mm on packages.

Documentation

Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD) must accompany every shipment, listing UN number, proper shipping name, hazard class and quantity.

Contact for guidance

DfT Dangerous Goods Team: dangerousgoods@dft.gov.uk. VCA Dangerous Goods Office: dgenquiries@vca.gov.uk.

EORI number

Required to move goods commercially between Great Britain and other countries. Register at GOV.UK — free, takes 5–10 minutes.

CN22 / CN23 customs form

CN22 for gifts under £270. CN23 for goods over £270 or commercial items. Must list description, quantity, value, weight and country of origin.

Commercial invoice

Required for all commercial shipments. Must include: seller/buyer details, item description, HS tariff code, country of origin, total GBP value and Incoterms.

Certificate of posting (C&E132)

VAT-registered businesses must obtain this to support VAT zero-rating. Also required to claim Excise Duty reimbursement.

Export licences

Required for controlled goods: military/dual-use items, certain chemicals and goods subject to trade sanctions. Check ECJU before every shipment.

Trade sanctions

UK sanctions regimes apply to numerous countries and individuals. Shipping to sanctioned destinations is a criminal offence. Check the UK Sanctions List before every shipment.

Declare battery type and capacity

All electronics with batteries must declare: battery chemistry (Li-ion, NiMH), Wh rating or mAh × voltage and whether the battery is internal or external.

Protect screens and ports

Wrap screens in bubble wrap. Cover ports with tape or foam. Place in anti-static bags before outer packaging.

Factory reset before shipping

Remove personal data. Some countries (USA, Australia) may inspect device contents at customs. Declare the accurate commercial value — undervaluation is illegal.

Duty and VAT on electronics to EU

Devices over £135 are subject to import duty and VAT on entry to EU. Accurate declared value is a legal requirement in both UK and destination country.

Max 1 litre per item for air freight

Individual liquid containers for air shipment must not exceed 1 litre. Flammable liquids (alcohol over 24% ABV, perfume) face additional carrier restrictions.

Leakproof inner packaging required

Seal the container, place in a sealed plastic bag, surround with absorbent material capable of absorbing the full volume, then place in a rigid outer box.

Alcohol

Alcohol over 24% ABV is a dangerous good for air freight. Ground-only shipping. Verify destination country import allowances — many impose strict duty-free limits.

Perfume and cosmetics

Flammable liquid for air. Maximum 30 ml per container for air. Up to 150 ml via ground with some carriers. Must be declared on the customs form.

Medical liquids

Require documentation from a licensed medical practitioner. Controlled substances have destination-specific import requirements — verify before shipping.