International delivery has never been easier, nor so widely available. Packages can be sent overseas now in a matter of moments, all for barely any work or money from the sender, or indeed the recipient. It’s fast and affordable, and the whole process gets more and more popular as the years roll on by.
After all, the popularity of online shopping has reached new heights, to the point that retail stores are closing down throughout the country. With the rise of the digital world, the fast-paced on-demand shopping experiences are now at the forefront of everybody’s minds. Still, while international deliveries are becoming more common, that doesn’t mean anything can be shipped out overseas.
Consequently, here are some kinds of items you should avoid trying to send overseas.
Flammable Materials
It doesn’t matter if you’re hoping for a quick delivery across the channel with postage to France, or somewhere much further away; flammable materials cannot be shipped out. Obviously, this is largely down to safety concerns, and includes items such as paint thinners and removers, lighters, batteries, alcohol, nail varnishes, and even perfumes and aftershaves. However, if you’re perfumes and aftershaves are without alcoholic content then they’re eligible to be sent overseas, so there could possibly be some wiggle room there.
Legal Tender
You cannot send legal tender to many countries abroad, including but not limited to; Italy, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and in most instances the United States too. Legal tender constitutes as bank notes, coins, and currency notes etc. In the case of money, it’s a very real concern that it can be stolen in whole or in part at any stage during transit. Obviously, bank transfers and suchlike are the safer, easier and quicker option here, so it’s best to take that route instead.
Lottery Tickets
Britons abroad cannot take part in the National Lottery, online or otherwise. Consequently, sending out lottery tickets to family members or friends who’re living, or even holidaying overseas, will be refused at customs. There’s a global blanket ban in place that prevents players from other countries participating in another country’s lottery schemes, so obviously, you should avoid trying to send lottery tickets for this reason.
Living Creatures
Living creatures are classified as packaged items if the sender is trying to ship them out overseas. While some insects and invertebrates are permitted to be shipped out, it’s obviously not a good, safe or healthy process for animals to endure. As many items are often at risk of being broken or put into danger during transit, when these risks are applied to animals and their wellbeing, the reasons as to why you can’t ship them become obvious. Additionally, the sending of dangerous animals overseas by courier has been prohibited since the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976, so you’ll be refused there on that legal basis too if you’re attempting to send dangerous creatures too.