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CUSTOMS RISK
What can't you bring on an international move? Avoid these customs clearance risks first
Different destination countries have different regulations, but food, medicine, alcohol, batteries, plant products, dangerous goods, and high-value items typically need to be confirmed in advance. Final requirements are subject to the latest regulations of the destination customs authority.
Common Categories
Prohibited and restricted items are best declared before getting an estimate
Don't wait until packing day to discover certain items cannot be shipped. Informing in advance allows the consultant to determine whether to exclude, declare separately, or prepare documentation.
| Food and plants | Common items | Handling recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Food and plants | Dried goods, seeds, tea, plants, soil, and animal/plant products | Most destinations have strict restrictions — confirm in advance or do not bring them |
| Medicine and health supplements | Prescription medications, traditional Chinese medicine, supplements, liquid medicines | Keep prescriptions and English descriptions; confirm destination country regulations first |
| Hazardous materials | Flammable liquids, aerosols, paint, cleaning agents, lighters | Generally not recommended for transport as personal effects |
| Batteries and Electrical Appliances | Lithium batteries, power banks, electric tools and electric vehicle parts | State capacity and type in advance to determine if shipping is possible |
| High-value items | Artwork, antiques, jewelry, and collectibles | We recommend declaring the value separately, purchasing insurance, or using custom packaging |
| Alcohol and tobacco | Red wine, white liquor and cigarettes | Destination country taxes and quantity limits vary significantly — confirm in advance |
Real Scenarios
Customs risks often come from items that "look ordinary"
Kitchen food items, children's medicine, wooden souvenirs, power banks, and collectibles can all become issues during destination customs clearance.
Box number
Restricted and prohibited items must be screened out before packing
High value
Artwork and collectibles need separate instructions
Route Reminders
Risk priorities vary by destination country
Australia and New Zealand are more sensitive to food, wooden products, and biosecurity; Germany, the UK, Canada, and other destinations also pay close attention to medicine, alcohol, high-value items, and inventory completeness.
Common questions
Prohibited items FAQs
Can I Bring Food in an International Move?
Many destination countries have strict food restrictions, especially meat, seeds, plants, and bulk food items. Confirm in advance or do not bring them.
Can medicine be shipped?
Medications may require prescriptions, English descriptions, or quantity limits. Confirm according to destination country regulations.
Can you ship red wine abroad?
Alcohol typically involves quantity limits, declarations, and taxes. The destination country and quantity should be communicated in advance.
Are wooden furniture items risky?
Wooden furniture can typically be assessed for transport, but wooden packaging and destination country quarantine requirements need to be confirmed in advance.
Related services and content entry points
Not sure whether a particular item can be shipped?
Send us the destination and item photos. We will flag customs clearance risks before estimating.
CUSTOMS RISK
What can't you bring on an international move? Avoid these customs clearance risks first
Different destination countries have different regulations, but food, medicine, alcohol, batteries, plant products, dangerous goods, and high-value items typically need to be confirmed in advance. Final requirements are subject to the latest regulations of the destination customs authority.
Prohibited and restricted items are best declared before getting an estimate
Don't wait until packing day to discover certain items cannot be shipped. Informing in advance allows the consultant to determine whether to exclude, declare separately, or prepare documentation.
Food and plants
- Common items
- Dried goods, seeds, tea, plants, soil, and animal/plant products
- Handling recommendation
- Most destinations have strict restrictions — confirm in advance or do not bring them
Medicine and health supplements
- Common items
- Prescription medications, traditional Chinese medicine, supplements, liquid medicines
- Handling recommendation
- Keep prescriptions and English descriptions; confirm destination country regulations first
Hazardous materials
- Common items
- Flammable liquids, aerosols, paint, cleaning agents, lighters
- Handling recommendation
- Generally not recommended for transport as personal effects
Batteries and Electrical Appliances
- Common items
- Lithium batteries, power banks, electric tools and electric vehicle parts
- Handling recommendation
- State capacity and type in advance to determine if shipping is possible
High-value items
- Common items
- Artwork, antiques, jewelry, and collectibles
- Handling recommendation
- We recommend declaring the value separately, purchasing insurance, or using custom packaging
Alcohol and tobacco
- Common items
- Red wine, white liquor and cigarettes
- Handling recommendation
- Destination country taxes and quantity limits vary significantly — confirm in advance
Customs risks often come from items that "look ordinary"
Kitchen food items, children's medicine, wooden souvenirs, power banks, and collectibles can all become issues during destination customs clearance.
Documents
The clearer the inventory, the smoother the destination verification
Box number
Restricted and prohibited items must be screened out before packing
High value
Artwork and collectibles need separate instructions
Risk priorities vary by destination country
Australia and New Zealand are more sensitive to food, wooden products, and biosecurity; Germany, the UK, Canada, and other destinations also pay close attention to medicine, alcohol, high-value items, and inventory completeness.
Prohibited items FAQs
Can I Bring Food in an International Move?
Many destination countries have strict food restrictions, especially meat, seeds, plants, and bulk food items. Confirm in advance or do not bring them.
Can medicine be shipped?
Medications may require prescriptions, English descriptions, or quantity limits. Confirm according to destination country regulations.
Can you ship red wine abroad?
Alcohol typically involves quantity limits, declarations, and taxes. The destination country and quantity should be communicated in advance.
Are wooden furniture items risky?
Wooden furniture can typically be assessed for transport, but wooden packaging and destination country quarantine requirements need to be confirmed in advance.
Not sure whether a particular item can be shipped?
Send us the destination and item photos. We will flag customs clearance risks before estimating.
Consult on Item List