This page explains basic rules for what you can and cannot send through VerityFlow, and how product type affects the shipping methods that may be available to you.
The details below are for general guidance only. Carrier rules and local laws may change and may differ by country and route.
- Prohibited and restricted items
Certain items are typically prohibited or heavily restricted by law, carriers or warehouse policies. Examples include:
- Illegal products under local or international law
- Weapons, explosives and similar dangerous goods
- Certain chemicals and hazardous materials
- Counterfeit or intellectual-property-infringing goods
- Items explicitly prohibited by carriers or warehouse rules
- Goods that violate public order, public health or moral standards in the destination country
VerityFlow may reject, return, restrict or dispose of such items in accordance with our policies and local regulations. Any costs, penalties or losses arising from violation of these rules may be borne by the account holder, subject to our terms.
If you are unsure whether a product is allowed, please contact support before shipping it to the warehouse.
- Size and weight limits
Each shipping method and destination may have:
- Maximum weight per parcel
- Maximum dimensions (length, girth, volumetric weight)
- Limitations for irregular or oversize packages
Oversize or very heavy items may:
- Require special packing or Pro Services
- Be limited to specific routes
- Not be accepted at all by certain carriers
Before sending very large or heavy items to the warehouse, please check:
- The size/weight information of the product from your supplier
- The typical size and weight limits of the shipping methods you plan to use
- Special product categories and shipping methods
Some product categories require special handling or are only allowed on certain shipping methods. For example:
3.1 Batteries and battery-powered devices
- Lithium batteries and battery-powered devices are subject to strict transport rules.
- Some shipping methods do not accept any batteries.
- Some methods accept built-in batteries only, but not loose batteries or large capacity packs.
- Routes that can carry batteries may have higher costs or longer transit times.
When you plan to ship items containing batteries, please:
- Clearly identify the battery type and whether it is built-in or separate.
- Choose shipping methods that explicitly support battery shipments.
- Understand that damaged, swollen or recalled batteries are usually not accepted at all.
3.2 Liquids, cosmetics and aerosols
- Many shipping methods limit or prohibit liquids, creams, sprays and aerosols.
- Some routes allow certain small-quantity cosmetics under specific conditions.
- Pressurised containers may be treated as dangerous goods.
Always check whether your intended shipping method accepts the specific type of liquid or cosmetic product you plan to ship.
3.3 Food products and temperature-sensitive items
- Most standard parcel routes are not temperature controlled.
- Perishable food, frozen items and items requiring refrigeration are usually not accepted.
- Dry food or packaged snacks may be possible on some routes, depending on customs rules in the destination country or region.
If your products are food or temperature-sensitive items, please contact us in advance. In many cases, VerityFlow may not be able to handle such items.
3.4 Alcohol, tobacco and other regulated substances
- Alcohol and tobacco are strictly regulated in many countries.
- Many shipping methods do not accept these products at all.
- Even when shipping is possible, import regulations may be complex and vary by country.
VerityFlow does not provide legal or customs advisory services for these categories. If you intend to ship such products, you must consult your own advisers and ensure full compliance with local laws.
- Shipping methods and product eligibility
The shipping methods shown when you create an outbound order are filtered based on basic criteria such as destination, weight and, where possible, product category.
As a general rule:
- Economy / postal-type services
- Often restricted to general, low-risk merchandise.
- Frequently do not accept batteries, liquids or other sensitive items.
- Standard commercial express
- May accept a wider range of products, but still subject to carrier rules.
- Certain goods (for example high-risk chemical products) remain prohibited.
- Priority / premium express and special lines
- Some routes are designed for specific product types, while others remain strict.
- Product eligibility is defined by the carrier and may change over time.
If you select a shipping method that cannot accept your product type, your order may be:
- Refused at dispatch, or
- Delayed while we request changes, or
- Returned or stopped by carrier/customs, which may cause extra cost or loss to you.
To reduce risk, we strongly recommend you:
- Provide accurate product descriptions when requesting services.
- Contact support in advance for unusual or sensitive products.
- Customs, duties and taxes
- Customs, duties and taxes are determined by customs authorities in the destination country or region.
- The importer of record (usually you or your business) is responsible for complying with local laws and paying any applicable duties and taxes.
- VerityFlow does not act as a customs broker or tax adviser and cannot guarantee customs outcomes or tax amounts.
- Rules for low-value parcels may change over time (for example, some regions have announced plans to tighten tax rules on small parcels from overseas).
You should consult your own tax or customs advisers when you need binding legal or tax guidance.
- Summary – choosing a shipping method for your product
When deciding whether VerityFlow is suitable for your product and which shipping method to choose, please consider:
- Is the product clearly legal and not prohibited?
- Does the product fit within typical parcel size/weight limits?
- Does it contain batteries, liquids, food or other special contents that restrict your options?
- Does your chosen shipping method accept this type of product?
- Are you prepared to handle any duties, taxes or customs requirements in the destination country?
If you are not sure, contact us before shipping items to the warehouse and provide:
- A clear description of the product
- Photos or links (if available)
- Your destination country and approximate weight
Within our scope, we will try to help you identify suitable options or tell you if we cannot accept a certain product.
- Examples by destination country / region
The following examples are general and simplified. They are provided only for convenience and do not replace official carrier or customs rules. Laws and carrier policies can change at any time.
Please always check the latest rules of:
- The destination country’s customs authority, and
- The carrier (postal service, express company, special line) shown on your order.
7.1 Shipments from China to the United States
Typical prohibited or very high-risk items for parcels to the U.S. include (non-exhaustive):
- Firearms, ammunition, explosive or flammable fireworks and similar items
- Gasoline, liquid fuel, many types of flammable liquids and chemicals
- Most aerosols and many types of nail polish, perfumes and other hazardous cosmetics
- Illegal drugs and narcotics; many vaping and e-cigarette products
- Counterfeit branded goods and counterfeit currency
- Live animals and many biological or infectious materials
Examples of usually acceptable categories (if genuine and compliant):
- Ordinary clothing, shoes, accessories and toys that meet U.S. safety standards
- Many consumer electronics and battery-powered devices (subject to airline/transport limits for lithium batteries)
- Non-hazardous household items and decorations
For the United States:
- The U.S. Postal Service and major express carriers publish detailed lists of prohibited and restricted items.
- Many dangerous goods are completely non-mailable, and violations can lead to fines or criminal penalties.
Before sending to the U.S., you should be especially careful with:
- Anything flammable, pressurised or chemically active
- Any goods that look like weapons or weapon parts
- Vapes, e-cigarettes and related products
- High-risk categories such as fireworks, chemicals or “self-defence” devices
7.2 Shipments from China to the European Union (e.g. Germany, France, Italy)
For parcels going into the EU:
- Meat, milk and many products of animal origin sent from non-EU countries are usually not allowed in personal parcels.
- There are strict rules for food, plants, seeds and animal products to protect animal health and the environment.
- Alcohol and tobacco are heavily regulated and often not suitable for forwarding services.
- Counterfeit goods and unsafe products (toys, electronics, cosmetics etc.) are strictly targeted and may be seized.
Typical allowed categories (if compliant):
- Clothing, footwear and general merchandise for personal use or small business use
- Electronics that meet EU safety standards (CE marking, RoHS etc.)
- Cosmetics and personal care products that follow EU ingredient and labelling rules
Recent EU policy discussions have also focused on:
- Stronger customs checks on low-value parcels from non-EU countries
- Possible changes to duty-free thresholds for small parcels
Because of this, you should expect:
- More attention on product safety and authenticity
- A higher chance that parcels may be checked or taxed, even at low declared values
7.3 Shipments from China to the United Kingdom
For parcels going into the UK:
- Certain items are completely banned, such as illicit drugs, offensive weapons (for example flick knives, knuckle dusters), and some self-defence sprays.
- Personal imports of meat and dairy products from many countries are not allowed.
- Many flammable or hazardous liquids, aerosols and some types of batteries are restricted or prohibited in the mail.
- Counterfeit goods and pirated media can be seized and may lead to penalties.
Typical acceptable product types (if compliant):
- Clothing, shoes, household items, small accessories
- Many toys and electronics that meet UK safety standards (UKCA/CE as required)
- Non-hazardous cosmetics and personal care items shipped under carrier rules
When shipping to the UK, please:
- Avoid sending perishable food, fresh meat or dairy products.
- Take extra care with knives, tools or anything that may be treated as a weapon.
7.4 Shipments from China to Canada
For parcels going into Canada:
- Canada has strict controls for food, plants, animals and related products to protect local agriculture and ecosystems.
- Many raw or homemade meats, unlabelled food products, and some dairy or animal products may be refused or destroyed.
- Illegal drugs, cannabis (even though legal domestically), and drug-related items are generally prohibited in cross-border shipments.
- Weapons, certain types of knives, and some self-defence items are restricted or prohibited.
Examples of higher-risk categories:
- Foods of animal origin (meat, sausages, jerky, canned meats, etc.)
- Fresh fruit, vegetables, plants, seeds, soil and wood products
- Products made from endangered animals or with protected wildlife materials
Examples of lower-risk categories (if compliant and properly declared):
- Clothing, fashion accessories and most non-hazardous household goods
- Many electronics and battery-powered devices that meet Canadian safety standards
- Dry snacks and packaged foods that fall within the Canadian personal-use rules and are allowed from the country of origin
For Canada, rules depend on:
- The type of product
- The country of origin
- The province where the parcel is imported
You should always:
- Provide accurate descriptions and declare contents honestly
- Avoid assuming that “because it is legal in Canada” it is automatically legal to import by mail
7.5 Shipments from China to Australia (and similar strict biosecurity countries)
Australia is known for very strict biosecurity and quarantine rules. For parcels going into Australia:
- Many fresh foods, meat products, plant materials, seeds, soil and untreated wood are prohibited or heavily controlled.
- Weapons, certain knives, firearms and parts, and some high-risk chemicals are prohibited or require special permits.
- Many dangerous goods (explosives, certain chemicals, some aerosols and flammable items) are not accepted by carriers.
Examples of items that often cause problems:
- Fresh or dried meat, sausages, jerky and meat snacks
- Fresh fruit and vegetables, seeds, nuts and many plant products
- Soil-contaminated items (for example used outdoor equipment, shoes etc.)
- Certain animal products and wildlife-related items
Examples of usually acceptable categories (if compliant):
- Clothing, shoes, non-organic household goods
- Electronics and devices containing lithium batteries that meet airline and carrier rules
- Non-hazardous cosmetics (subject to carrier conditions)
If your destination is Australia (or other countries with similar strict biosecurity controls, such as New Zealand):
- Avoid shipping food, plants, seeds and natural materials unless you fully understand the rules.
- Expect that parcels may be inspected, delayed, or partially destroyed if they contain prohibited contents.
7.6 Shipments from China to Gulf countries (for example the UAE and Saudi Arabia)
In Gulf countries, in addition to general safety rules, there are religious and moral restrictions you must consider:
Common types of prohibited or highly sensitive items include:
- Alcohol and many alcohol-containing products (especially into Saudi Arabia)
- Pork and pork-derived products (food and some non-food items)
- Pornographic or obscene materials; items offensive to Islamic values
- Gambling devices and related materials
- Certain religious books or symbols intended for proselytising
- Narcotics and many psychotropic medicines without proper permits
- Weapons, ammunition and some military-style equipment
Typical safer categories (if compliant and non-sensitive):
- Modest clothing, household goods and general merchandise
- Electronics and accessories that meet local telecom and safety rules
- Non-hazardous cosmetics and personal care products that meet local standards
For the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries:
- Customs authorities publish specific lists of prohibited and restricted goods.
- Some products (for example e-cigarettes, cosmetics, tyres, certain chemicals) may require permits from specific government agencies.
- Violations can lead to confiscation, fines or more serious penalties, especially for alcohol, narcotics or items considered offensive to public morals or religious principles.
- Final note
VerityFlow is a forwarding and handling platform and cannot replace professional legal, customs or tax advice.
Before shipping:
- Make sure your product is legal in both the origin and destination country.
- Check the latest carrier restrictions for the shipping method you plan to use.
- Be prepared for the possibility that customs in the destination country may open, inspect, tax, delay or return your parcel.
If you are unsure about a specific product and destination, please contact us with:
- Product description and photos or links
- Destination country
- Approximate weight and quantity
We will let you know, within our scope, whether there appears to be a suitable route or if we are unable to handle that product.