What Can You Ship Overseas?

Overseas Shipping

Whether you’re running a business, or just moving from one country to another, it’s helpful to take some time and learn what can be shipped overseas and what isn’t allowed. While the rules vary from one country to another, there are some general guidelines to follow. Below is an overview of what can be shipped internationally

Most Items Can be Shipped Overseas

Most items that businesses rely on and ordinary people make use of can be shipped overseas without any problems. Most electronics, furniture, retail products, clothing, metals and even some natural products such as wood can be shipped from one country to others. It’s impossible to give a comprehensive list of every product that can be shipped though, because there are different regulations for importing items at each country that you have to be aware of. That’s why it’s important to work with international shipping experts when sending around items from one country to another.

What Can You Ship Quick List:

• Electronics
• Clothing
• Furniture
• Metals, plastics and some woods
• Some food
• Linens
• Tools and equipment
• Some automobiles
• Much more

What Can’t You Ship Overseas

One of the best ways for determining what you can send internationally is to look at the different items that you can’t send internationally. There are many different types of items that seem harmless that you simply aren’t allowed to send out of the country. For instance, most plants, including different fruits and vegetables for eating aren’t allowed to be sent around to other countries. This catches people off guard all the time because it seems strange, but problems can arise by sending foreign plants to different countries. Animals are often subject to the same rules and it’s difficult to send most living things out of the country, though it does happen with certain livestock and pets.

Below is a list of common items that you can’t ship out of the country:

• Ammunition
• Weapons
• Explosives
• Fruits and vegetables
• Products with aerosols
• Nail polish
• Poison
• Dry ice
• Cigarettes
• Alcohol
• Air bags
• Loose or damaged lithium batteries (batteries not installed in a device such as a laptop)
• Prescription medication
• Supplements
• Toxic substances
• Handcuffs, restraints, body armor or kevlar
• Military equipment
• Brazilian rosewood
• Most leather, skins and furs
• Unidentifiable materials

There are other item restrictions as well, but those are many of the most common items that you can’t send to other countries.

Check With The Country

Before organizing an international shipment and paying a shipping company to transport your goods, get familiar with the local shipping laws for the specific country that you’re dealing with, or work with an expert to help you make sure you’re following all the local laws of the country. There are unique item restrictions depending on the country involved. For instance, used clothing can’t be shipped

Get Professional Help

To simplify shipping internationally, work with a company that specializes in international shipments. The businesses that offer these services are very familiar with the laws of most countries and can help guide your decisions as well as explaining item-specific shipping cost estimates. Contact us for more information about international shipping and moving services.