subject: What Items Are Courier Companies Barred From Transporting? Let Us Give You A Friendly Reminder! [print this page] Courier services never like to say no to any customer; we believe the old adage that the customer is always right. However, once in a while we have to say no to a shipment because state, Federal or NAFTA trade regulations make it impossible for us to accept it. In case you are in doubt as to what will and will not ship, here is a quick and easy listing:
First, we cannot ship illegal merchandise. If you cannot legally buy and sell it, you cannot legally deliver it. That would include all non-pharmaceutical medications, chemical compounds or plant material that create mind-altering scenarios. We cannot ship cocaine, marijuana, crack, crystal meth (although actual methamphetamines, if prescribed, are shippable), crank, hashish or heroin products. Even pharmacists cannot ship these items; usually they must obtain a Federal waiver from the government, and then only after a rigorous course of inspection.
Next, we cannot ship any item that was intended for lethal use, such as weaponry: no guns, rifles or handguns. Neither can we ship most sharp implements such as knives and sword items, even if they are antiques or curiosities (an exception is usually made for kitchen cutlery, if properly wrapped and packaged). Again, special waivers are created for shipping such materials, but most courier services do not possess these waivers.
Radioactive materials, or materials that might be classed as biohazards, cannot be shipped by your local courier. These can be shipped with some governmental restrictions (particularly in the case of lab samples), but your local courier is unlikely to be bonded and certified to carry these items. There are some couriers who specialize in pharmaceutical or scientific shipments, but at extra cost. Otherwise, the Federal mandate is clear against shipment of these materials.
Particular emphasis is laid against the shipment of used hypodermic syringes and their needles, since these may carry viral infection (this would include hospital needles used by HIV-positive patients); there are specially designated government hazardous waste disposal carriers that destroy such materials.
There are many courier services available that will ship medical supplies, but these are restricted as well, since the tissue samples, blood and plasma, organs and body parts, and pharmaceutical compounds, must travel in special medical vans with refrigeration units.
Finally, animals cannot be transported without special vans that allow for their comfort in moving from place to place.
Please remember what is shippable and what is not. Because we want to say yes to every customer order!
