We have written before about restrictions on International Deliveries, what you can and can’t send via Royal Mail and Parcelforce. There may be a bit of confusion as to what you can and can’t send as a Business Customer, as opposed to a personal customer, in the UK. Please see the following information from the Royal Mail. For further details, please see their website at Royal Mail.com.
Aerosols “Including deodorants, body sprays, hair sprays, shaving and hair removal creams, asthma inhalers, etc. Valves must be protected by a cap or other suitable means to prevent inadvertent release of the contents during transport. Aerosols must be tightly packed in strong outer packaging and must be secured or cushioned to prevent any damage. Volume per item must not exceed 350ml. No more than two aerosols can be sent in any one package.
These items may only be sent using our 1st Class or 2nd Class products paid for via online postage, franking or on account (VAT exempt 1st and 2nd Class Account Mail), Special Delivery™ paid for via online postage, franking or on account, Royal Mail Tracked® and Royal Mail Sameday®. Please note Packetpost™ Returns, Business Response, Freepost™ and all variants of Packetpost™ and Packetsort™ are excluded.
All other aerosols, including those containing spray paints, lacquers, solvents, air fresheners and oven cleaners are prohibited.”
Note: If you are a personal customer, inhalers up to the volume of 50ml are the only aerosols allowed.
Alcoholic beverages and liquids (between 24% ABV and 70% ABV) (Including whisky, vodka and most spirits and liqueurs) “The items must be securely closed and placed in a leak-proof liner, such as a sealed polythene bag. Surround with absorbent material and sufficient cushioning material to protect each item from breakage. Volume must not exceed 1 litre per item. No more than two items can be sent in any one package. Mark as ‘FRAGILE’ when sending glass bottles.”
The same conditions apply re online postage, franking or on account only.
Any alcohol over 70% ABV volume is prohibited.
Batteries – new alkaline, nickel metal hydride (NiMH) or nickel cadmium (NiCd) “Including household AA and AAA batteries. Must be new and sent unopened in their original retail packaging. Surround with cushioning material e.g. bubble wrap. The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging.”
Batteries – lithium ion/polymer batteries contained in equipment “Each package must contain no more than four cells or two batteries installed in equipment. The maximum net quantity of cells or batteries is 5kg per package.”
The same conditions apply re online postage, franking or on account only. For more details on battery criteria and packaging requirements, click here.
Wet spillable lead acid/lead alkaline batteries (such as car batteries) are prohibited.
Biological Substances May only be sent by, or at the specific request of, a qualified medical practitioner, registered dental practitioner, veterinary surgeon, registered nurse or a recognised laboratory or institution. The total sample volume/mass in any parcel must not exceed 50ml/50g.
Electronic Items – This depends on type of batteries included, click here for more information.
Nail Varnish and Polish “Volume per item must not exceed 30ml. No more than four bottles of nail varnish can be sent in any one package. Bottles of nail varnish must be placed in strong outer packaging and be so packed, secured or cushioned in such a way that they cannot break, be punctured or leak their contents into the outer packaging.”
The same conditions apply re online postage, franking or on account only.
Perfumes and Aftershaves Including eau de parfum and eau de toilette.
“Volume per item must not exceed 150ml. No more than four perfumes or aftershaves can be sent in any one package. The perfume or aftershave must be within its original retail packaging and then placed in strong outer packaging. The inner packagings must be packed, secured or cushioned to prevent breakage or leakage of their contents into the outer packaging. ”
The same conditions apply re online postage, franking or on account only.
For other items that may be relevant to your business, click here.
Remember, the rules are set to change in June/July regarding postage within the UK – so make sure you keep up to date with news from the Royal Mail.