Goods Prohibited from Shipping

The purpose of this article is to provide you the information about mailing prohibited, potentially hazardous, or perishable goods to international destinations. Please, read and understand the following regarding specific applicable export and shipment regulations.

The US law prohibits the sale, transfer, transportation, export of items to certain restricted parties, end-uses, and embargoed countries. Further, the US law prohibits any shipment outside of the US of any product prohibited or restricted for export without complying with US export control laws and regulations, including proper export licensing, documentation, or authorization, is strictly prohibited and may result in fines, penalties, and imprisonment.

It is the Shipping Storm’s customer (you) to be aware of these laws and regulations, which you can find on the below listed US Government websites, and abide by those laws. 

By proceeding with any transaction involving shipment with Shipping Storm, you, the customer, confirm that you will not engage in any transaction involving the export and shipping of any prohibited item.

The US government regulates the USA’s export to other countries and protects all exports of control technical data, products, software, or technology from illegal export. Shipping Storm will not engage in any transaction that requires the illegal export of any products and will not assist directly or indirectly with the illegal export or re-export of any products. Furthermore, Shipping Storm will not ship shipments that require formal government authorization (i.e., export license, agreement, another license,etc.). Below are some items that generally require a formal US government authorization. It includes, but is not limited to, to the following:

Shipping Storm also does not assist with shipments, which require an Electronic Export Information (EEI) filed in the Automated Export System (AES). Shipments that require an EEI Submission are all shipments that need a proper US government approval:

• Shipment of merchandise under the same Schedule B commodity number is valued at more than US$2,500 and is sent from the same exporter to the same recipient on the same day. 
• The shipment contains merchandise, regardless of value, that requires an export license or permit
• The merchandise is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), regardless of value.
• When the shipment is self-propelled, vehicles
• When the export of “600 series” items enumerated in paragraphs .a through .x for a “600 series” Export Control Classification Number (ECCN).
• Export under a license exception Strategic Trade Authorization (STA).
• Regardless of value, any shipment to Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, or Crimea.
• The shipment contains rough diamonds, regardless of value.

Shipping Storm does not assist with items requiring an export license, license exemption, SDS, or any other special export documentation. 

Shipping Storm does not ship items to countries that are on the US government embargoed or sanctioned list. 

If such an item is received at our warehouse, Shipping Storm will return it to the seller or dispose of it. The applicable charges may apply. 

If one or more of the items in the outgoing package is on the list of prohibited items, Shipping Storm will remove them from the shipment. The things which are legal to ship will be processed and shipped to you.

The list of items that are either prohibited from exporting from the USA or are banned from Air mailing. The list includes, but is not limited, to the items below. 

Prohibited items must not be shipped outside of the USA  to any country under any circumstances. 

If you like to read and want extensive information regarding the applicable laws, regulations, and policies, you may find useful the following links:

• US Department of State: https://www.state.gov/
• US Department of Commerce: https://www.commerce.gov/
• Bureau of Industry and Security: https://www.bis.doc.gov/
• Also see: Export Administration Regulations (EAR)

Shipping Storm must comply with the US laws, the carrier international shipping regulations, and the destination country’s laws and regulations when shipping internationally.

Use the information to help you make sure that your shipment complies with the US and foreign country regulations.

Why are some goods prohibited?

Prohibited items could be divided into categories based on the reason why they are forbidden. Some things are prohibited or restricted by the exporting country's laws; for example, the US laws do not allow exporting such items for national security, military or political reasons.

Some items are prohibited from import into the destination country. Here you must check whether export into your country is not allowed or restricted (in that case, you should find out what the restrictions are). And some are simply deemed Dangerous goods and thus not allowed for Air transport. Since all shipments Shipping Storm conducts are made by Air (with few exceptions to Canada), we cannot ship you such items.

 

Items prohibited from sending to any country by US law

 

Counterfeit, Bootlegged, or Pirated Items

The US law does not allow the production, sale, or export of Counterfeit items. Such goods include, but certainly are not limited to, Movies, DVDs, Software, Clothing, Handbags, Purses, Sunglasses, Medicines, etc. Do not take any part in such an activity. Do not send such items to the Shipping Storm warehouse. Such items will be confiscated and disposed of as required by US laws.

Currency, Gems, Precious Metals and Stones

Currency or Monetary Instruments cannot be exported from the USA. Moreover, most countries strictly regulate importing such items. Shipping Storm cannot ship any of the following:

• Bank Cards, Bank Drafts
• Bearer Negotiable Financial Instruments (Bonds, etc.)
• Cash (Banknotes and Coins)
• Checks (including Traveler's Checks)
• Credit Cards
• Equivalent to Cash, such as Endorsed Shares, Bonds, and Money Orders
• Gold, Silver, or Platinum Bullion / Bars
• Medals
• Rough Diamonds, Loose Diamonds or Gems
• Tokens

When we receive such an item, we cannot re-sent them to another US address. We will ship and return them to the original sender whenever possible.

Gambling Materials and Items

• Lottery Tickets
• Slot Machines or Other Gambling Devices
• Gambling Devices Parts and Accessories

Illegal Drugs

Although in some US states, including Oregon, recreational marihuana has been legalized, on the federal level, the possession, production, selling, or shipping of any drug, including marihuana, is illegal. So, all controlled or illicit substances, as defined by the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), are strictly prohibited. This law also applies to certain ingredients from which illegal drugs are being made. If Shipping Storm receives such an item, it will be seized and handed over to the authorities. Illegal drugs include:

• Cannabis / Marijuana
• Herbal Incense
• Narcotics of any kind
• Psychotropic Drugs
• Synthetic Cannabis
• Powders, Liquids, Pills, or other Substance that cannot be identified 

Dental, Veterinary, Medical Devices and Materials

• Barometers, Thermometers, Manometers, and Sphygmomanometers
• Breathing apparatus
• Cryogenic
• Dental Devices
• Dental Supplies (Dental Drills, Cement, Resins, Bonding Agents, etc.)
• Diagnostic specimens
• Laboratory Equipment (spectrometers, crucibles, etc.)
• Laboratory equipment and Reagents
• Medical Devices
• Medical Supplies (Syringes, Surgical Equipment, etc.)
• Medical / Biological Samples
• Pharmaceuticals
• Veterinary Devices
• Veterinary Supplies (Surgical Equipment for Animals, etc.)

Medicines and Dietary Supplements

Both Prescriptions and Over-the-counter (Non-Prescription Medications) are prohibited from shipping internationally for commercial shippers without a special license. The items Shipping Storm is not able to ship internationally includes:

• Amino Acids
• Dietary Supplements, Minerals, Vitamins
• Human Growth Hormones
• Medications, Medicinal Drugs, including common Painkillers
• Stem Cell-derived Medications

Natural Health Supplements are allowed.

Electronics

Some electronics require an Export License from either the US Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) or the US Department of State's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC).

The following are examples of electronics and components that may not be exported from the USA:

• Accelerators
• Electrically Powered Apparatus (Wheelchairs, Lawnmowers, etc.)
• Gyroscopes
• High Powered Computers
• High Powered Lasers and Sensors
• High-End Communications Devices / Radios
• High-End Encryption Devices (network switches, LAN or WAN servers, cellular base stations, etc.)
• High-End GPS, Radar, and Sonar Devices
• Integrated Circuits
• Integrated Circuits used in many Communication Systems
• Magnetized Material
• Magnets
• Microprocessor Chips, Microcontrollers, and other similar Components
• Military Grade Electronics of any kind
• Military Grade Networking Devices (Servers & Routers)
• Processors
• Robotics
• Ruggedized Computers
• Satellite Phones
• Some Biometric Devices

Firearms, Weaponry and Military / Tactical Equipment and Accessories 

• Ammunition, Bullets, Cartridges
• Baton Guns
• Bayonets, Blades, Knives
• Body Armor / Kevlar (both soft and hard)
• Brass Knuckles or similar Items
• Butt-Stocks
• Explosives, including Detonating Cords, Blasting Caps, Fuses, Primers, Igniters
• Firearms (including Imitation, Antique, and Replicas)
• Firing Pins, Hammers
• Gas Masks and Gas Mask Filters
• Gun Accessories (Stands, Handles, Cases, Silencers, etc.)
• Gun Barrels
• Gun Powder
• Holographic Weapon Sights, Red Dot Sights, Reticle Sights
• Lower / Upper Receivers
• Mace, Pepper Spray
• Magazines, Ammunition Clips
• Metal Hand-Cuffs, Plastic Zip-Tie Restraints
• Military Helmets and Helmet Accessories
• Military Shields (all Levels and Types)
• Night Vision Equipment and Accessories (Generation 2, 3, or 4)
• Optical Sighting Equipment
• Police or Military Uniforms
• Rifle Scopes
• Stun-Guns, Stun-Batons, Tasers
• Tactical Gear and Weapon Accessories
• Tactical Lights (both Hand-Held and Weapon-Mountable)
• Tactical / Military Helmets
• Thermal Imaging Equipment and Heat Seekers
• Trigger Housings
• Weapon Lasers

Animals, Reptiles, Horticultural & Agricultural Items, live or dead.

Animals and their parts of these, even when part of a common product, can be restricted and may require the submission of an export declaration to the US Fish and Wildlife Service. You may be required to provide the Genus, Species, and Country of Origin for export classification purposes. 

• Bird Feathers and Insects
• Caviar from Beluga or Sturgeon
• Corals Shells, Starfish, Sand Dollars, and Other Marine Life
• Crocodile, Alligator, Snake, Lizard, and Other Reptiles Skins
• Fish Skin, Shark Teeth, Shark Cartilage Supplements
• Fur, Skin, Hair, Antlers, Bones, Claws, and Teeth
• Mother of Pearl items found on Watches, Guitars, and Jewelry

 

Items Prohibited from Mailing for Security Reasons

 

Hazardous Materials / Goods Dangerous for Air Transportation

Some items and materials are deemed to be Dangerous Goods. In most cases, the reason the item or material is deemed dangerous is that it is flammable. To determine whether a product is considered a Dangerous Good and whether Shipping Storm can ship the product on your behalf, you must provide us with a Safety Data Sheet (SDS), sometimes referred also as Manufacturer Safety Data Sheet, or Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), or even Product Safety Data Sheet (PSDS).

The seller should be able to provide you with this document. In real life, however, most merchants will not be able to provide SDS to retail customers. Therefore, we strongly recommend checking with the seller before the purchase. If the seller is not able to provide SDS, we strongly recommend not to buy the item. It will not be possible to ship such an item internationally with Shipping Storm.

• Acetone
• Aerosols (including Hair Spray, Insect Spray, Shaving Cream, etc.)
• Airbags, Air Bag Inflators
• Cap Gun Caps
• Carbon and Activated Carbon
• Chemicals
• Chemistry Kits
• Cigarette Lighters
• Cleaning Fluids
• Compressed Gases, including CO2 Cartridges
• Corrosives, Liquid or Solid
• Cosmetics, Colognes, Perfumes, Eau de Toilettes, Eau de Parfums
• Dyes
• Explosives or Explosive Devices
• Fertilizers, Pesticides, Herbicides
• Fire Extinguishers
• Fireworks, Flares
• Flammable Materials - Liquids and Solids, including Matches
• Glues and Adhesives
• Infectious Substances
• Irritants
• Lighters with Fuel
• Liquefied Gas
• Liquids, Liquefiable Elements, and Powders
• Model Rocket Engines
• Nail Polish, Nail Polish Remover
• Oxidizers and Organic Peroxides
• Paint Thinners, Paint removers, stains removers, varnish removers
• Paints, Varnish, Stains, 
• Poisons 
• Radioactive Materials
• Solvents
• Toxic Substances
• Vaccines
• Vape Liquids or E‐Liquids

Batteries - Lithium-Metal and Lithium-Ion

Lithium Batteries may be shipped only when they are installed in the equipment they are intended to operate. That includes batteries in laptop computers, tablets, mobile phones and smartphones, cameras, video cameras, Bluetooth devices, headsets, shavers, electric razors, portable DVD players, two-way radios (walkie-talkie), GPS devices, and most other small electronic devices requiring lithium batteries. 

Lithium batteries cannot be shipped separately, i.e., if they are not installed in the device.

Alcohol and Tobacco

Alcohol and Tobacco products, including Smokeless Tobacco, are not allowed to be shipped from the USA, and also are prohibited or restricted from import into many countries. Alcohol products also can be restricted for Air transport due to Hazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Transport Regulations. Shipping Storm does not ship Alcohol and Tobacco products.

Cigars, however, are allowed to export from the United States. Thus, we do ship cigars. 

Perishable Items, Including Foodstuffs

• Agricultural Supplies
• Biological Cultures, samples, and specimens
• Biological Substances or Agents
• Dry Ice
• Flowers, Plants, Seeds
• Frozen Food
• Human Remains
• Live Bait
• Meals Ready to Eat (MRE)
• Perishable Food
• Pet Food
• Soil

 

Items Prohibited from Mailing to Certain Countries Only

 

Pornographic Materials and Items

Some countries prohibit the import of Pornographic materials. As the importer, you are solely responsible for importing pornographic material into the destination country and following the foreign country laws. The goods which may be subject to restrictions or bans are:

• Adult Magazines / Books
• Adult Videos / Movies
• Sex Toys

 

Additional Information on Prohibited Goods

 

For additional information on import restrictions affecting items that you intend to import into a destination country, please contact the relevant authorities in your country.

Additional information about many of the US export regulations discussed in this document may be found at the following websites:

• Directorate of Defense Trade Controls: https://www.pmddtc.state.gov/ddtc_public
• Drug Enforcement Agency: https://www.dea.gov/
• Food and Drug Administration: https://www.fda.gov/
• Fish and Wildlife Service: https://www.fws.gov/
• Department of Treasury: https://home.treasury.gov/ 
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives: https://www.atf.gov/

This information contained in this document is for informational purposes only. You, the importer into the destination country, are responsible for ensuring that any items you ask Shipping Storm to export for you from the United States of America into a foreign country are not prohibited for export from the United States and/or for import to your country.