Part of our Customs & Regulations guide
Prohibited and Restricted Items for an International Move
Items movers will not load, items destination customs restrict, and how to check the rules for your country.
Short answer
Movers will not pack hazardous materials such as flammables, aerosols, fuels, gas cylinders, batteries outside devices, ammunition and explosives. Destination countries also restrict food, plants, seeds, soil, animal products, alcohol, tobacco, medicines and weapons. Australia and New Zealand are the strictest on biosecurity. Check the official customs or biosecurity page for your destination and declare anything you are unsure about.
Items movers will not ship
- Flammable liquids and solids: paint, thinners, lighter fluid, fuel, propane and other gas cylinders.
- Aerosols, cleaning chemicals, pool chemicals, fertilizers and pesticides.
- Ammunition, fireworks and explosives.
- Loose lithium batteries and damaged batteries (batteries installed in devices are usually accepted; ask your mover).
- Perishable food and anything that can rot or leak.
These rules come from ocean and air dangerous-goods regulations and from carriers, not just customs, so they apply to every destination.
Items destinations restrict or inspect
| Category | Why it is restricted |
|---|---|
| Food, seeds, plants and soil | Biosecurity: pests and diseases. Dirt on garden tools, bikes, shoes and outdoor furniture counts as soil. |
| Animal products | Wool, feathers, skins, ivory and some wooden items with bark can need treatment or permits. |
| Alcohol and tobacco | Excluded from household-goods relief in the EU and UK; duty and limits apply. |
| Medicines | Prescription and controlled drugs often need a prescription or permit; carry what you need with you. |
| Weapons | Firearms, parts and some knives need import and export permits or are banned. |
| Cash and valuables | Keep jewelry, cash and documents with you, not in the shipment. |
Official sources by destination
- Australia: Australian Border Force: Can you bring it in?
- New Zealand: Ministry for Primary Industries: bringing and sending items to NZ
- United Kingdom: GOV.UK: bringing goods into the UK for personal use
- EU countries: the national customs office linked on each country guide.
How to pack so nothing is held
- Clean outdoor furniture, bikes, tools, tents and shoes until no soil is visible.
- Use up or give away food, cleaning products and garden chemicals before packing day.
- List anything wooden, wicker or made from animal products on your inventory.
- Ask your mover for its own do-not-pack list; carriers can be stricter than customs.
- Carry medicines, documents and valuables in your hand luggage.
Back to the main guide: Customs & Regulations.
Frequently asked questions
Can I ship alcohol in an international move?
Sometimes, but alcohol is excluded from duty-free household-goods relief in the EU and UK, so duty and tax usually apply. Some movers will not carry it at all. Ask first.
Can I ship batteries?
Batteries installed in devices are usually accepted. Loose, spare or damaged lithium batteries are usually refused. Ask your mover for its policy.
Why is Australia so strict?
Australia's biosecurity rules aim to keep out pests and diseases. Soil, seeds or insects on your goods can lead to inspection, treatment or destruction at your cost.
What happens if I pack a restricted item?
It can be held, treated or destroyed, and the whole container can be delayed for inspection, adding storage charges.
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