Dangerous goods – the checklist your mailing house uses

Dangerous goods

Royal Mail and similar postal carriers take all legal and safety issues very seriously, and will refuse to carry any of the illegal or harmful items listed below.

Aerosols

Except inhalers with a volume of 50ml or less.

Alcoholic liquids

With alcohol content higher than 70%vol.

Batteries

Batteries which are classed as dangerous goods by the latest edition of the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) Technical Instructions.

Butane lighters filled or refills

Clinical and medical waste

For example used dressings, bandages, needles, cotton wool.

Corrosive substances

These are substances which can cause severe damage to living tissue, other freight, or transport by its chemical action. All corrosive substances are prohibited such as; Aluminium Chloride; Caustic Soda; Corrosive Cleaning Fluid; Corrosive Rust Remover/Preventative; Corrosive Paint Remover; Electric Storage Batteries; Hydrochloric Acid; Nitric Acid; Sulphuric Acid, etc.

Counterfeit currency, bank notes and postage stamps

Except copies of old denominations, which are now obsolete and worthless except for collectable value and cannot be passed as tender.

Drugs

Except emergency drugs for medical or scientific purposes. For prescription and over-the-counter medicines please refer to the list of Restricted Goods.

Dry Ice

Dry Ice is solid carbon dioxide.

Environmental Waste

For example used engine oil or used batteries.

Explosives

Explosives are any chemical compound, mixture or device capable of producing an explosive-pyrotechnic effect, with substantial instantaneous release of heat and gas. For example; Ammunition, Blasting Caps, Fireworks, Flares, Fuses, Igniters and Nitroglycerine.

Filth

For example dirt, waste or refuse.

Flammable liquids

Flammable liquids are mixtures of liquids or liquids containing solids in solution or suspension which give off a flammable vapour. Any liquid with a closed cup flash point below 60.5° C is prohibited. For example; Acetone; Benzene; Cleaning Compounds; Gasoline; Lighter Fuel; Paint Thinners and Removers; Petroleum; Solvents etc.

THE ICAO ALSO HAS LISTS OF DANGEROUS GOODS AND HOW THE PACKAGE THEM FOR TRANSPORT BY AEROPLANE