Restricted vs. Prohibited Items: What's the Difference?

Prohibited goods and restricted goods: is there really a difference? Let’s look at what you can put in an international parcel and what Meest UK won’t accept for shipping.

Sending a parcel from the UK abroad? The box is almost packed, your gifts for family are all inside, and then you suddenly think: “Wait, is there anything prohibited or restricted in here?” Good thing you thought of it. But what’s the actual difference? Below, we’ll explain the prohibited item meaning, give some real examples, and show you what to check before sending your parcel with Meest UK anywhere.

What Are Restricted and Prohibited Items?

Restricted items are goods that are subject to certain rules or conditions. This does not necessarily mean you cannot send them. It depends on the item, the destination country, and the rules for that particular route. What does shipping restricted item mean? Take meat or dairy products. In Sweden, for example, these are subject to Import Restrictions. They can be sent only with the necessary documentation. Without the required documents, they will not be accepted for shipping.

Prohibited items, on the other hand, cannot be sent with or without documents. These include weapons and ammunition, narcotic substances, live animals, explosives, flammable and corrosive materials, counterfeit goods and other prohibited items. 

You can find the full list on the prohibited items page and check the rules for the country you are sending your parcel to.

Key Differences Between Restricted and Prohibited Goods

So what is the difference between a prohibited and restricted item? Let's say you're sending a parcel from the UK to Ukraine and you'd like to squeeze in a block of cheese. You look up the rules, and it turns out food of animal origin is allowed on that route, but with strings attached: it has to be factory-sealed, and the parcel can't go over 10 kg. That's a restricted item. You read the conditions first, then decide whether it can go.

A prohibited item is simpler. If it's banned on your route, it stays out of the box.

Here's a quick cheat sheet to know the difference between restricted and prohibited so you don't mix them up:

• Restricted: check the rules and conditions.
• Prohibited: don't send it.
• Country-specific restrictions: some countries have extra rules of their own.
• No compensation: the item may be accepted, but if it gets lost or damaged, you might not get anything back.

Keep in mind! Just because you’ve sent something from the UK a few times without any problems doesn’t mean you can send it to every other country in the same way. Shipping rules can vary from one destination to another. 

Examples of Items That May Be Restricted

Restricted items can be a bit confusing because there isn’t one universal “allowed / not allowed” list for every country. Import rules vary from one country to another. Something you can send without any issues to one destination may need extra paperwork or be restricted elsewhere.

Take a tin of pate, for example. It is just an ordinary item from a UK supermarket. But that does not mean the same rules apply everywhere. In one country, you may be able to send it under certain conditions, while in another, it may be restricted because it contains meat or other animal-derived ingredients.

The same applies to plants and seeds. You can buy them from a shop or garden centre without a second thought. Sending them abroad is a different story, though. The destination country may have its own rules about bringing these items in.

There can also be specific requirements for certain medicines and pharmaceutical products, chemicals, radio equipment and other goods. When sending a parcel internationally, it comes down to two things: what you are sending and where it is going.

The biggest difference between prohibited and restricted items is simple: a restricted item may still be accepted if you meet the relevant requirements. A prohibited item cannot be sent at all. If you are not sure about something in your parcel, check with the Meest UK team before sending it.

Examples of Items You Cannot Send

Prohibited goods are much simpler. If an item is prohibited on a particular route, you cannot send it. These rules cover transport safety, customs and legal requirements, as well as goods that are controlled or banned in certain countries.

Prohibited does not always mean banned everywhere. The rules depend on the destination and the route. An item can be prohibited on one route but restricted on another, meaning it may be accepted if certain requirements are met. For example, Meest UK lists some medicines as prohibited for Belgium, but lists medicines and pharmaceutical products under Import Restrictions for Luxembourg.

What are prohibited goods for most countries:

• Weapons and ammunition.
• Narcotic and psychotropic substances.
• Explosives, flammable and other dangerous materials.
• Live animals.
• Counterfeit goods and pirated copies.
• Alcohol and tobacco products.
• Medicines and pharmaceutical products.
• Perishable goods that require special transport conditions.
• Certain animal products.
• Other goods prohibited by the carrier’s rules or the requirements of the destination country.

So, what are prohibited goods? They are goods that cannot be sent under the rules of the carrier, the specific route or the destination country.

The general list is not enough for every parcel. Destination-specific rules can add more restrictions. For example, Meest UK lists live animals and animal products, narcotic and psychotropic substances, weapons, explosives, alcohol, cigarettes and some medicines as prohibited for parcels sent from the UK to Belgium. Goods that breach trademark or copyright rules are also prohibited.

And no, hiding a prohibited item in the parcel under your clothes or describing it as something else on the customs declaration will not make it allowed. The contents of the parcel must match the customs declaration. Incorrect information does not change the rules.

A Quick Check Before Sending Your Parcel

Imagine you’re sending your mum a parcel in the Netherlands for Mother’s Day. You put in her favourite chocolate, a few packets of coffee and some seeds for her favourite vegetables – carrots, cucumbers and tomatoes. Everything seems fine, but before you send the parcel, you decide to check the rules for the Netherlands.

You then find an important detail: sunflower seeds and other seeds, including vegetable seeds, are prohibited. So the carrot, cucumber and tomato seeds have to stay at home. Flower seeds, however, can be accepted with a commercial invoice.

The chocolate and coffee can stay in the parcel, but the vegetable seeds have to come out. If you still want to add something for Mum’s garden, you can choose her favourite petunias or salvias, as long as you meet the requirements for sending flower seeds.

What should you check before sending?

• Make a list of everything you want to put in the parcel.
• Check the rules for the country you’re sending to.
• See if any of the items have special requirements.
• Make sure there are no prohibited items in the parcel.
• Then pack your parcel and arrange the shipment.

So, is restricted and prohibited the same thing? No. Always check the rules for the country you’re sending to, because the same item can have different rules on different routes.

Check Shipping Rules and Send Parcels Safely with Meest

Now you know what is the difference between prohibited and restricted goods. The next step is to check the rules before you tape up the box, not once you’re already at the drop-off point. You can find the latest international shipping information and destination requirements on the Meest UK website by choosing the destination country. 

Got everything packed? You can book your shipment online through Meest Portal, without having to leave the house. Just:

1. Enter the sender’s and recipient’s details.
2. Tell us what’s in the parcel and choose your delivery option.
3. Check the details and pay online.
4. Get your tracking number and track your parcel.

You have a few options for getting your parcel to Meest UK. Drop it off at a partner location or book a courier collection if it’s available in your area. There are Meest partner locations in cities including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds and Glasgow, with options available in many other parts of the UK too.

So there’s no need to make a special trip across the city just to send a parcel. Check the available options for your postcode when you book.

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