Prohibited Items for shipping overseas

For safety reasons there always is a list of prohibited items for shipping overseas. The list is abundant, but thankfully most of the items in the list are items that common sense can deduct. Furthermore, there are a lot of items that simply do not comply with the legislation of a given country, and thus become prohibited. This may not be out of safety reasons but for the best interest of the country in question.

Simply, each country has the power and the right to present the rest of the world with a list of prohibited items for shipping overseas.

As a shipping company, it is our right and duty to inform Boueri Freight Services Lebanon clients about the items that simply cannot reach their final given destination. This is not something that is in the will of the company doing the shipping. Each company in this line of work has to abide by the rules of countries where the items are going to.

Prohibited items for shipping overseas – most common cases

The list of prohibited items for shipping overseas is simple to follow. To make matters easier for you, the list of items that have prohibited entrance to most countries is usually containing some common sense lists. Basically, all the items that are illegal for you to own or use in the street are most likely going to be prohibited for shipping overseas. With a few additions, of course.

Still, to establish one other very important element. Figuring out what exactly does fall under the prohibition laws is entirely your responsibility. Companies that offer international shipping do have the ability to assist with knowledge on the matter but are not obliged in any way to pursue that knowledge for you. So, if a freight company offers this type of assistance it is out of their good will. Not out of their responsibility.

The safest way you can determine what falls under these laws is that you consult the customs office of the country you are sending the items to. The answer you receive from the customs office is going to be the absolutely most reliable answer you can find. All other answers may fall under suspicion, but this one is one hundred percent legitimate. However, just to be safe in the future, make sure to have this conversation with the customs in writing (preferably email, if possible). So, even if you have the conversation on the phone and you try to get information using this make sure to kindly ask that they follow up the conversation in a written form. Again, they do not have to but it would be very convenient if they did.

What not to do when figuring out prohibited items for shipping overseas

There is one huge mistake that people do when figuring out the prohibited items for shipping overseas. This list can vary, but there is no grey zone in the matter. It is ever so black and white. The item is either legitimate for import or not.

The one common mistake that keeps happening (more so today that it did in the past) is when people try to use Google for this answer. Given that the answer you find could potentially be true, it is not trustworthy. If you try to quote a random page you find on the internet about the legality of the items that are (or are not) prohibited, it will not be legitimate. Considering the widespread of the Internet we have today, people rely on information found on the internet more now than ever. And this is quite wrong given that anyone could post anything on the internet.

The only legitimate information you will ever be able to find online is on a customs website of a particular country you are sending the items to. So, it is very important to check http://cppkitchenbath.com and know your kitchen showroom source in Cape Cod. The safest source is a government website. You can distinguish those with the .gov extension. Follow this as a rule of thumb. Otherwise, do not fully rely on information found elsewhere. Be very careful with this since it could cost you dearly.

Most commonly prohibited items

As a rule of thumb, the most common items that are forbidden are those that are hazardous. Furthermore, items that pose a hazard to health or property will likewise be in the list of prohibited items for shipping overseas. Add to this those that contravene local or customs regulation and you might have your full list. So, again, be very careful with this. It can be very sensitive and touchy.

Some of the items that you should pay your attention on, but international movers in Lebanon don’t limit them to the following:

• Corrosives (bleach or paint stripper)
• Drugs or medicine (it could be allowed entrance, however with numerous doctor certificates or brought by a doctor itself)
• Poisons of all sorts (even the ones killing insects or plants)
• Pornographic material, including written or video
• Radioactive substances of any type
• Explosives (any type of ammunition or fireworks)
• Skin-made products including shoes and clothing
• Inflammable materials, such as paint, petrol or light fuel
• Items that can in any way encourage vermin or pests

This was to only name a few. Going further, there are items that are not really illegal per se, but you should declare them on entry. Otherwise, the possibility of passing through the customs diminishes, depending on the circumstances.

These items are as follows.

• Firearms
• Alcohol
• Perfumes
• Tobacco

Even though they could be legal, you need to declare them. Everything else falls under items ineligible for shipping overseas and you should treat them as such. Also, learn which rules apply when shipping by air.

Best of luck!