International couriers from India prohibit a fixed set of items regardless of destination: explosives and fireworks, flammable liquids and aerosols, compressed gases, corrosive chemicals, radioactive materials, currency notes, narcotics, live animals, ivory and animal parts, and human remains. Lithium batteries, perfumes, alcohol, and lithium-powered electronics are restricted (allowed with packaging rules or carrier-specific limits) — not the same as prohibited. Always check both the IATA dangerous-goods list and your courier’s prohibited-items page before booking.
Prohibited vs restricted: the difference that matters
Prohibited goods cannot be shipped at all — no permit, no workaround, no exception. Restricted goods can be shipped with a permit, hazard label, or quantity limit. The two lists overlap in popular confusion but never in regulation. Perfume is restricted (small sealed bottles allowed with declaration); narcotics are prohibited (cannot be shipped under any circumstances). For the permit-required list, see restricted goods international shipping guidelines.
For broader context on the international export process from India, see the International Shipping from India: Complete Guide.
The universal prohibited list (banned by every major courier)
| Category | Examples | Why prohibited |
|---|---|---|
| Explosives | Fireworks, gunpowder, ammunition | IATA Class 1 |
| Flammable liquids | Petrol, kerosene, oil-based paint | IATA Class 3 |
| Compressed gas | Aerosols, CO2 canisters, scuba tanks | IATA Class 2 |
| Corrosives | Acids, mercury, bleach | IATA Class 8 |
| Radioactive | Any radioactive sample | IATA Class 7 |
| Currency | Indian + foreign currency notes | RBI / FEMA |
| Narcotics | Bhang, cannabis, opium derivatives | NDPS Act |
| Live animals | Pets, birds, fish | Carrier policy |
| Ivory + wildlife | Ivory, tortoise shell, coral | CITES |
| Human remains | Ashes, body parts | Carrier policy |
The IATA classes are global air-cargo rules — every passenger and most cargo aircraft refuse these categories outright. Currency, narcotics, and wildlife are illegal under Indian law to ship internationally without specific government authorisations (which are not granted for retail couriers). See the IATA dangerous goods regulations{target="_blank" rel=“noopener nofollow”} for the global hazard-class definitions and the CITES{target="_blank" rel=“noopener nofollow”} appendices for protected wildlife and plant species.
For Mumbai-based senders and other courier service in Mumbai users running port-side commercial exports, prohibited contents trigger the strictest enforcement; ICEGATE flags repeat shippers and customs investigates beyond the parcel level.
Carrier-specific bans (DHL, FedEx, Aramex, India Post)
Beyond the universal list, each carrier adds its own bans:
| Carrier | Additional bans (selected) |
|---|---|
| DHL Express | Tobacco to most destinations; precious stones above thresholds without declared-value insurance |
| FedEx | Lottery tickets; furs from CITES species; alcohol to several US states |
| Aramex | Precious metals above small thresholds; live plants (most destinations) |
| India Post | Items above per-shipment value caps; coins; precious-stone consignments |
Always read the booking-time prohibited list — carriers update categories as IATA, destination customs, or regulatory changes occur. A category accepted last quarter may be banned this quarter.
Destination-specific bans Indian senders miss
Destination prohibitions are separate from carrier and universal bans. Common surprises:
- USA: Cuban cigars, kinder eggs, ivory, fresh meat, certain plants
- UK / EU: knives over a blade-length limit, raw plants without phytosanitary cert, electronic cigarettes to several countries
- Australia / NZ: organic powders (including Holi gulal), wood without ISPM 15, leather without quarantine cert, untreated wool
- UAE / Gulf: pork products, alcohol (to most emirates), religious imagery to Saudi Arabia
- China: maps showing disputed borders, religious materials, some printed media
For the full destination compliance matrix, see country-specific shipping requirements — destination rules change quarterly and the matrix is the working list. The hazardous materials courier safety guide covers IATA classes in depth.
The 4-step check before you book
- Check your courier’s prohibited-items page — DHL, FedEx, Aramex, India Post, Blue Dart each publish a current list at the booking flow.
- Check the destination country’s customs prohibited list — published on the destination customs authority website (CBP for USA, HMRC for UK, ABF for Australia, etc.).
- Check IATA dangerous-goods if your shipment contains any chemical, electronic, or battery content. Items with internal lithium batteries (laptops, phones, power banks) need IATA PI 967 compliance.
- If unsure, declare and ask — never hide. Hidden prohibited goods equal parcel seizure plus sender penalty. See customs documentation made simple for declaration guidance.
What happens if you ship a prohibited item
Three outcomes follow a prohibited-item detection:
- Returned to sender at sender’s cost (freight both ways plus carrier handling fee — typically ₹2,000-15,000 depending on weight and destination).
- Seized and destroyed with no compensation. Insurance is void on any prohibited-item claim.
- Criminal investigation and prosecution — for narcotics, currency, wildlife, weapons, certain printed materials. The sender’s IEC can be suspended by DGFT; repeat offenders face FEMA, NDPS, or Wildlife Protection Act charges.
Insurance is void in all three scenarios — even a single prohibited line item in a multi-line shipment voids the policy for the entire consignment. The 7 common international shipping mistakes to avoid covers the related operational errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send perfume by international courier from India?
Perfume is restricted, not prohibited — most major carriers (DHL, FedEx, Aramex) accept small sealed bottles up to 30 ml as personal effects when declared, but not as commercial shipments. Some destinations refuse alcohol-based perfumes entirely. Always declare perfume on the commercial invoice; hidden perfume parcels are returned at sender’s cost.
Are lithium batteries prohibited for international shipping?
Lithium batteries are restricted, not prohibited. Loose batteries above 100 Wh are banned on most passenger air freight. Batteries inside the device (laptops, phones, power banks) ship under IATA PI 967 rules — they need a UN38.3 test report, hazard labels, and quantity limits. Booking via courier requires honest declaration; carriers reject misdeclared lithium consignments.
Can I ship currency notes or gold internationally from India?
Currency notes (Indian or foreign) are prohibited by every major courier from India under RBI and FEMA rules. Gold can be shipped under stringent declared-value, customs, and insurance protocols only via specialised secure carriers — standard couriers (DHL, FedEx, Aramex) refuse gold and other precious metals above small jewellery thresholds.
Is alcohol prohibited for international shipping from India?
Alcohol is restricted by destination. Indian carriers will accept commercial alcohol shipments to destinations that allow private alcohol imports (some US states, UK, Singapore) with proper customs documentation and excise compliance. Alcohol is prohibited to Saudi Arabia, most Gulf states, and several others. Personal alcohol bottles are usually refused — book via a specialised wine/spirits service.
What happens if a prohibited item is found in my international shipment?
The parcel is held at customs or at the carrier hub. Possible outcomes: returned to sender at sender’s cost, seized and destroyed with no compensation, or — for narcotics, currency, wildlife, weapons — criminal investigation and prosecution. Insurance is void on any prohibited-item claim. Always declare contents honestly and check both carrier and destination lists before booking.
Conclusion
The prohibited list is short and inflexible — explosives, currency, narcotics, wildlife, live animals, human remains. The restricted list is longer and workable with the right paperwork. Most rejections at pickup come from senders confusing the two. Run the 4-step check before booking and you avoid the cost, the seizure risk, and the IEC consequences. Get an international courier quote for permitted contents only.