What items are prohibited from shipping?
These items are prohibited by international law and cannot be shipped under any circumstances:
Dangerous Materials:
- Explosives, fireworks, ammunition
- Flammable liquids and gases
- Corrosive chemicals and acids
- Radioactive materials
- Compressed gases (aerosols, spray cans)
- Oxidizers and organic peroxides
- Hazardous chemicals
Illegal Items:
- Illegal drugs and narcotics
- Drug paraphernalia
- Counterfeit goods and fake branded items
- Pirated software, movies, music
- Stolen property
- Items violating intellectual property rights
- Pornographic materials (some countries)
Biological Materials:
- Live animals, insects, or fish
- Live plants and seeds (most varieties)
- Perishable food items requiring refrigeration
- Human remains or ashes
- Blood and biological samples
- Animal products (ivory, furs in some cases)
Weapons:
- Firearms and gun parts
- Ammunition and explosives
- Knives with blades over legal limit
- Martial arts weapons
- Tasers and stun guns
⚠️ Restricted Items (Require Approval)
These items may be allowed with proper documentation or in limited quantities:
| Item Category | Restriction | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Lithium Batteries | Limited capacity | Under 100Wh, properly labeled |
| Power Banks | Capacity limits | Under 20,000mAh, show capacity |
| Cosmetics/Liquids | Quantity limits | Properly packaged, personal use only |
| Branded Goods | Authenticity proof | Purchase receipts required |
| Electronics | Proper documentation | Declare battery specs, value |
| Supplements/Medications | Prescription required | Non-prescription supplements only |
| Tobacco Products | Usually prohibited | Very limited quantities, age verification |
| Alcoholic Beverages | Usually prohibited | Special permit required (rarely granted) |
Lithium Battery Restrictions
✅ Allowed Battery Items:
| Item Type | Maximum Capacity | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Smartphone Batteries | 100Wh | Built-in only, no spare batteries |
| Laptop Batteries | 100Wh | Built-in preferred, spare in original packaging |
| Power Banks | 20,000mAh (~74Wh) | Capacity clearly labeled |
| Camera Batteries | 100Wh | Original packaging, terminals protected |
| Bluetooth Devices | Built-in batteries | Speakers, headphones, watches allowed |
❌ Prohibited Battery Items:
- Lithium metal batteries over 2g
- Damaged, swollen, or recalled batteries
- Loose batteries without terminal protection
- Batteries with exposed wiring
- Counterfeit or unlabeled batteries
- E-cigarette batteries (prohibited in some countries)
Destination Country Import Restrictions
These restrictions apply to goods being IMPORTED INTO Singapore and Indonesia (our 2 destination countries only).
🇸🇬 Singapore (Destination):
- ❌ Chewing gum (except medical/therapeutic gum approved by Health Sciences Authority)
- ❌ Replica firearms and toy guns (BB guns, airsoft guns, toy pistols)
- ❌ Firecrackers and fireworks
- ❌ Drug-related items and paraphernalia
- ❌ Lighters shaped like weapons (pistols, revolvers)
- ❌ Obscene articles and publications
- ❌ Endangered species products
🇮🇩 Indonesia (Destination):
- ❌ Narcotics and illegal drugs (severe penalties including death penalty)
- ❌ Pornographic and obscene materials
- ❌ Counterfeit and fake designer products
- ❌ Weapons, ammunition, and toy/replica guns
- ❌ Gambling equipment and lottery tickets
- ❌ Certain medicines and supplements without proper permits
- ⚠️ Chinese traditional medicine (some types require permits)
📍 Note: These restrictions apply to goods being IMPORTED INTO Singapore and Indonesia. Goods shipping FROM China, Korea, Thailand, or Vietnam warehouses follow origin country export laws, which don't typically restrict personal shopping items.
⚠️ Consequences: Shipping prohibited items results in serious penalties. See What happens if I ship prohibited items? for detailed information on package seizure, account suspension, fines, and legal prosecution.
How to Check If Item Is Allowed
Before Purchasing:
- Review Our Prohibited List: Check this FAQ first
- Check Destination Country Customs: Each country has specific rules
- Check Item Category: Electronics, cosmetics, supplements have specific requirements
- Contact Support: When in doubt, ask before buying
Information to Provide:
- Item description and category
- Brand and model (for electronics)
- Battery type and capacity (if applicable)
- Purchase value
- Destination country
- Intended use (personal vs commercial)
Safe Alternatives
| Prohibited Item | Safe Alternative |
|---|---|
| Aerosol spray | Non-aerosol pump bottle |
| Loose batteries | Devices with built-in batteries |
| Replica weapons | Toy versions clearly marked |
| Alcohol | Non-alcoholic alternatives |
| Fresh food | Non-perishable packaged food |
| Live plants | Dried flowers, artificial plants |
Declaration Requirements
Always Declare Accurately:
- ✅ Full item description
- ✅ Exact quantity
- ✅ True value
- ✅ Country of origin
- ✅ Brand and model (if applicable)
Never Under-Declare or Hide Items:
- ❌ Marking as "gift" to avoid duties
- ❌ Under-declaring value
- ❌ Hiding items in other products
- ❌ Mislabeling contents
- ❌ Using vague descriptions
Customs Inspection
What Happens During Inspection:
- X-ray scanning of all packages
- Random physical inspections
- Verification against declaration
- Prohibited item detection
- Value assessment
If Prohibited Items Found:
- Package detained immediately
- Customer notified
- Options: Return to sender (your expense) or disposal
- No refund for shipping costs
- Account may be flagged or suspended
Examples of Acceptable Items
✅ Electronics (with restrictions):
- Smartphones, tablets, laptops
- Cameras and lenses
- Headphones and speakers
- Smart watches and fitness trackers
- Gaming consoles
- Computer accessories (mouse, keyboard)
✅ Clothing and Accessories:
- Clothing, shoes, bags
- Jewelry and watches (under value limits)
- Sunglasses
- Belts, scarves, hats
- Designer items (with receipts)
✅ Beauty and Health:
- Cosmetics (non-liquid preferred)
- Skincare products (sealed packaging)
- Non-prescription supplements
- Beauty tools and devices
- Hair care products
✅ Home Goods:
- Books and magazines
- Kitchen utensils (non-sharp)
- Decorative items
- Bedding and linens
- Small furniture pieces
✅ Toys and Hobbies:
- Board games and puzzles
- Building toys (LEGO, etc.)
- Art supplies
- Sports equipment (non-weapon)
- Collectibles (stamps, cards)
When to Contact Support
❓ Unclear Items:
- New electronics with unusual batteries
- Supplements with unfamiliar ingredients
- Items containing liquids or gels
- Branded goods you're uncertain about
- Items with dual-use concerns
Contact Before Purchase:
- Provide product link or description
- Specify destination country
- Ask for confirmation of shippability
- Request documentation requirements
⚠️ Warning: Attempting to ship prohibited items can result in criminal prosecution, substantial fines, package seizure without compensation, and permanent bans from shipping services. Customs authorities in both origin and destination countries conduct random inspections.
💡 Tip: If you're unsure whether an item is allowed, contact our support team BEFORE making a purchase. Provide the item description, brand, intended destination, and quantity. We'll give you a definitive answer and help you understand any requirements.
📌 Important: Regulations change frequently. Always check current restrictions before purchasing. What was allowed last month may be prohibited now, especially for electronics and battery items.
Quick Reference:
- ❌ Never ship: Weapons, drugs, flammables, counterfeit goods
- ⚠️ Check first: Batteries, electronics, cosmetics, supplements
- 📋 Always declare accurately
- 🌍 Check destination country rules
- 💬 Ask support if unsure