Prohibited Goods

Some articles must not be posted in the International Mail. These articles fall into 3 categories:

• Articles prohibited by Australia Post
• Articles prohibited by the destination country
• Articles which cannot be sent when using the Express Courier International service

In addition, some countries will not accept articles which are internationally recognised as valuable items.

Articles prohibited by Australia Post

Bullion and bank notes - including all Australian notes of whatever issue or denomination, and the bank notes or currency notes of any other country. This prohibition applies even if the destination country accepts valuables.

Australia Post publishes a Dangerous Goods guide which lists in detail all items which will not be accepted. The Dangerous & Prohibited Goods & Packaging Guide is available online. The following list provides examples only, and is not a complete list:

• Explosives - ammunition, fireworks, igniters.
• Compressed Gas - aerosol products, carbon dioxide gas, cigarette lighter, butane.
• Flammable liquids - alcohol, flammable paint and thinners, flammable varnish removers.
• Flammable solids - metallic magnesium, matches, zinc powder.
• Oxidising material - some adhesives, some bleaching powders; hair or textile dyes made of organic peroxides, fibreglass repair kits.
• Poison including drugs and medicines - although some are acceptable in prescription quantities, and non-infectious perishable biological substances are accepted when packed and transmitted appropriately.
• Radioactive material
• Corrosives - corrosive cleaning liquid, paint or varnish removers, mercury filled thermometer.
• Miscellaneous - magnetised materials, oiled paper, polymerisable materials.

Articles prohibited by the destination country

Every country has a specific list of articles which are prohibited or restricted. For details on each country, refer to the International Post Guide.

Articles prohibited when using Express Courier International service

In addition to items covered by Australia Post prohibitions and destination country prohibitions, the following may not be sent when using our Express Courier International service:

• Asbestos
• Bees, leeches, silkworms or any other animal or living organism
• Biological substances, infectious or non infectious
• Coins
• Firearms, or parts thereof
• Furs
• Human or animal remains, including ashes
• Ivory
• Jewellery
• Perfumery products
• Pornography
• Perishable items
• Watches valued in excess of $A150
• Precious metals
• Precious stones, which means all valuable natural mineral stone, silica or substances extracted from the group, whether in their natural state or refined, processed, set or treated and includes semi-precious stones and any other natural or synthetic mineral, stone, silica or substance whether in a natural state, cut or uncut, refined, processed, set or treated.

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