# Understanding Prohibited and Restricted Items Policy

This guide lists prohibited product categories and explains Portless’s review process to ensure safe and compliant shipping.

March 9, 2026

## Table of contents
- [Things to keep in mind](https://support.portless.com/en/articles/13611882-understanding-prohibited-and-restricted-items-policy#h_65f6878ed9)
- [Prohibited items](https://support.portless.com/en/articles/13611882-understanding-prohibited-and-restricted-items-policy#h_01JM2VHH1FMPVK7TQHR4Z6V4VB)

## Things to keep in mind
- Portless may request product details or documentation before approving shipments.
- Regulations can differ by country and shipping partner. Always check local rules before shipping.
- Violations of this policy can lead to delays, penalties, or loss of shipping privileges.

## Prohibited items
The list below identifies known prohibited products. Portless reserves the right to review products on a case-by-case basis.

### Weapons and ammunition
Items designed to cause harm or destruction, including firearms and their components.

| **Item Type** | **Examples/Descriptions** |
| --- | --- |
| Firearms (including imitations and main parts) | Pistols, rifles, submachine guns, riot guns, air guns, shotguns, sports guns, anesthesia injection guns, steel ball guns, tear gas guns, etc. |
| Ammunition (including imitations) | Bullets, bombs, grenades, rockets, flares, incendiary bombs, smoke bombs, signal bombs, tear gas bombs, gas bombs, land mines, grenades, artillery shells, gunpowder, etc. |
| Controlled knives | Daggers, three-sided scrapers, switch knives, butterfly knives, military knives, samurai knives, folding knives, etc. |
| Other weapons | Crossbows, tear gas, tear gas guns, electric shock devices, police batons, iron lotus, telescopic batons, finger tigers, nunchakus, etc. |

### Flammable and explosive materials
Substances that can ignite or explode under normal shipping conditions.

| **Item Type** | **Examples/Descriptions** |
| --- | --- |
| Blasting equipment | Explosives, detonators, fuse, detonating cord, blasting agents, etc. |
| Fireworks and firecrackers | Fireworks, firecrackers, pyrotechnic powder, launching paper, black powder, etc. |
| Flammable solids | Sulfur, candles, table tennis balls, etc. |
| Flammable liquids | Gasoline, kerosene, paint, perfumes, nail polish, alcohol, insecticides, etc. |
| Spontaneous combustion items | Yellow phosphorus, oil paper, oil cloth, etc. |
| Items that burn in water | Sodium metal, aluminum powder, etc. |
| Corrosive materials | Hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, hydrogen peroxide, etc. |
| Explosive items | Detonators, explosives, fuse, fireworks, lithium batteries, etc. |
| Other flammable and explosive items | Flint, magnesium rods, lighters, activated carbon, propellants, nitrocellulose, electric ignition tips, etc. |

### Compressed and liquefied gases
Gases stored under pressure may be hazardous when released.

| **Item Type** | **Examples/Descriptions** |
| --- | --- |
| Flammable gases | Hydrogen, methane, butane, natural gas, propane, lighters, etc. |
| Toxic gases | Carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, chlorine, etc. |
| Explosive or suffocating gases | Compressed oxygen, nitrogen, helium, neon, aerosol, etc. |

### Plants and plant products
Living or preserved plant materials that are subject to agricultural restrictions.

| **Item Type** | **Examples/Descriptions** |
| --- | --- |
| Plants and plant products | Flowers, fruits, vegetables, seeds, plant specimens, pine cones, etc. |

### Animals and animal products
Live animals or items derived from animals that pose health or ethical concerns.

| **Item Type** | **Examples/Descriptions** |
| --- | --- |
| Animals and animal products | Shells, crabs, animal specimens, furs, etc. |

### Medicines and medical products
Prescription or over-the-counter drugs and related healthcare items.

| **Item Type** | **Examples/Descriptions** |
| --- | --- |
| Medicines and medical products | Anesthetics, ointments, pain relief patches, hemorrhoid creams, anesthesia creams, hyaluronic acid, tooth whitening gels, mercury thermometers, syringes, tattoo needles, etc. |

### Food and beverages
Perishable or consumable goods that are subject to strict safety regulations.

| **Item Type** | **Examples/Descriptions** |
| --- | --- |
| Food and beverages | Meat, drinks, coffee, fruits, snacks, tea, etc. |

### Liquid and powder products
Items in liquid or powdered form that may leak, spill, or be difficult to handle.

| **Item Type** | **Examples/Descriptions** |
| --- | --- |
| Liquid and powder products | Essential oils, cleansing oils, toners, essence milks, facial masks, lip glosses, glue, etc. |

### Batteries and mobile power
Lithium batteries and portable chargers with safety risks during transit.

| **Item Type** | **Examples/Descriptions** |
| --- | --- |
| Batteries and mobile power | Pure batteries, power banks (mobile power), and restrictions on battery quantities. |

### Illegal and counterfeit goods
Products that infringe intellectual property or violate local laws.

| **Item Type** | **Examples/Descriptions** |
| --- | --- |
| Illegal counterfeit goods | Counterfeit or altered currency, certificates, official seals, etc. |
| Intellectual property violations | Patent infringement, trademark infringement, copyright violations (books, audio-visual materials, etc.). |
| Counterfeit and shoddy products | Fake and shoddy food, medicine, children’s products, electronics, cosmetics, textiles, etc. |

### Toxic and corrosive substances
Chemicals that can cause harm through contact, inhalation, or leakage.

| **Item Type** | **Examples/Descriptions** |
| --- | --- |
| Toxic substances | Arsenic, mercury compounds, cyanides, selenium powder, highly toxic pesticides, etc. |
| Corrosive substances | Sulfuric acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, storage batteries, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, etc. |

### Drugs and drug-related items
Controlled substances and equipment that are linked to illegal drug use.

| **Item Type** | **Examples/Descriptions** |
| --- | --- |
| Illegal drugs and narcotics | Opium, heroin, cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, ketamine, amphetamines, etc. |
| Precursor chemicals | Piperonal, safrole, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, acetic anhydride, toluene, acetone, etc. |
| Drug use tools | Curling pipes, drug-related paraphernalia, etc. |

### Illegal publications and media
Content banned under local or international regulations.

| **Item Type** | **Examples/Descriptions** |
| --- | --- |
| Illegal publications and media | Books, publications, pictures, photos, audio-visual products, etc., containing reactionary, obscene, or extremist content. |

### Espionage equipment
Devices intended for covert surveillance or intelligence gathering.

| **Item Type** | **Examples/Descriptions** |
| --- | --- |
| Espionage equipment | Hidden eavesdropping devices, hidden cameras, burst transceivers, codebooks, steganography tools, interception devices, etc. |

### Chemical products and raw materials
Industrial chemicals that are restricted by safety or export controls.

| **Item Type** | **Examples/Descriptions** |
| --- | --- |
| Chemical products and raw materials | Ores, chemical element specimens, raw materials, raw stones, etc. |

### Money and valuables
Cash, coins, and high-value items that are subject to theft or loss risks.

| **Item Type** | **Examples/Descriptions** |
| --- | --- |
| Money and valuables | Counterfeit currency, circulating currency, bank cards, checks, gold, securities, real estate certificates, gambling utensils, etc. |

### Military supplies
Equipment or gear used for defense or armed conflict.

| **Item Type** | **Examples/Descriptions** |
| --- | --- |
| Military supplies | Body armor, military boots, camouflage clothing, helmets, handcuffs, batons, police protection equipment, etc. |

### Cigarettes and tobacco products
Smoking-related items that are restricted by law or regulation.

| **Item Type** | **Examples/Descriptions** |
| --- | --- |
| Cigarettes and tobacco products | E-cigarettes, cigarettes, tobacco-based ointments, oils, etc. |

### Other sensitive products
Any additional products identified as high risk for safety, security, or compliance reasons.

| **Item Type** | **Examples/Descriptions** |
| --- | --- |
| Shape-sensitive products | Effervescent tablets, compression masks, etc. |
| Strong magnetic products | Fishing magnets, magnetic Rubik’s cubes, strong magnets, etc. |
| Multi-purpose sporting goods | Baseball bats, darts, compound bows, bows and arrows, and other visually offensive items. |
| Flag badges | National flags, party emblems, military flags, etc. |
| Prohibited chemicals | Mothballs (p-dichlorobenzene banned in Europe). |
| Human hair | Restrictions on human hair shipments.