Items You Cannot Send by International Courier | Friend Back Home

International courier guide

Please don’t pack these items.

Some everyday items cannot travel safely or legally in an international parcel. Check this list before your family packs anything in India.

When in doubt, leave it out. Every parcel is checked before dispatch, and prohibited items may delay or stop the entire shipment.

Do not send

Four groups to keep out of your parcel

These examples cover the items families most often ask us about.

Money & valuables

Currency, precious metals and high-value goods

Cash and easily traded valuables are not accepted in a normal international courier parcel.

  • Indian rupees or foreign currency notes
  • Gold or silver coins, bars and bullion
  • Loose diamonds, gemstones and precious stones
  • Blank cheques, bearer bonds and uncancelled stamps

Fire & flight safety

Hazardous, flammable and battery items

Items that can leak, ignite, explode or short-circuit are restricted on aircraft.

  • Perfume, deodorant sprays, room fresheners and aerosols
  • Sanitiser, nail polish, remover, paint and thinner
  • Diwali crackers, matches, lighters and gas cylinders
  • Power banks, loose lithium batteries and damaged electronics
  • Toys and decorative lights with built-in batteries

Spoilage & customs

Perishable and unapproved food

Fresh food can spoil in transit, while animal products and unlabelled foods are often stopped by customs.

  • Fresh mithai, milk, paneer, curd and cream
  • Fresh coconut, dry coconut and coconut pieces
  • Fresh fruit, vegetables, flowers and leaves
  • Meat, fish, eggs and frozen food
  • Unsealed homemade liquids, gravies and leaking containers

Controlled substances

Narcotics, alcohol and unapproved medicines

Controlled substances and medicines without the required documents can lead to seizure or legal action.

  • Cannabis, ganja, charas, opium and other narcotics
  • Whisky, rum, wine, beer and all alcoholic drinks
  • Prescription tablets without a valid prescription
  • Loose, unlabelled or repacked Ayurvedic and allopathic medicines

Full prohibited list

Quickly check any item

Type an item to see if it can travel, or browse the groups below. When in doubt, message us before your family packs it.

Money, documents & valuables

  • Cash & money
  • Traveller’s cheques
  • Signed or blank cheque books
  • Gold & silver
  • Bullion & precious metals
  • Precious stones
  • Jewellery
  • Imitation jewellery
  • Passports
  • Stamps of unusual value
  • Tax stickers & banderols

Electronics & batteries

  • Mobile phones
  • SIM cards
  • Memory cards
  • Laptops
  • CPUs & computers
  • Home theatre systems
  • Fans
  • Loose batteries
  • Power banks
  • Magnets

Flammable, aerosol & pressurised

  • Perfume
  • Nail polish
  • Lipstick
  • Matches
  • Candles
  • Agarbati (incense)
  • Crackers & fireworks
  • Gas cylinders
  • Compressed air
  • Camping stoves
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Petrol & gasoline
  • Diesel
  • Paint & turpentine
  • Adhesives

Chemicals & liquids

  • Acids
  • Liquid bleach & chlorine
  • Cleaners & solvents
  • Ink
  • Printer ink
  • Dry ice
  • Any liquid items

Illegal, weapons & dangerous

  • Alcohol
  • Champagne
  • Tobacco
  • Cigarettes
  • Illegal drugs
  • Knives
  • Imitation firearms
  • Pepper spray
  • Explosives
  • Radioactive material

Animal & biological

  • Live animals
  • Animal products
  • Animal fur & skin
  • Body parts
  • Lab samples
  • Medical samples

Powders, media & other

  • Kum kum
  • Rangoli
  • Powder items
  • New-release or pirated CDs & DVDs
  • Cement
  • Cycles

Extra customs clearance charges

Some items carry a customs clearance fee

A few items are accepted but need extra customs handling. These charges are in addition to the normal courier cost.

  • All electronics items

    Phones, laptops, watches, gadgets and similar devices

    ₹750per item

  • Ghee

    Sealed, packaged ghee accepted for eligible destinations

    ₹500

  • Imitation jewellery

    Costume or fashion jewellery, flat charge per parcel

    ₹750flat

Please check country restrictions first. These items may not be allowed in every destination. Confirm with your Friend Back Home that the item can be sent to your country before packing.

Ask us first

Some items depend on the destination

Rules vary by country and carrier. Do not pack these until your Friend confirms they are accepted.

  • Packaged dry foods: ladus, chakli, chivda, masala, papad, pickles and ghee
  • Electronics: phones, laptops and watches with batteries installed
  • Medicines: sealed personal-use quantities with prescription and invoice
  • Jewellery: imitation or precious jewellery may need special approval and valuation

Check before you send

Not sure about an item?

Send us its name and a clear photo on WhatsApp. We’ll check before your family packs the parcel.

Ask your Friend on WhatsApp

This is a general guide, not a complete customs list. Final acceptance depends on the item, packaging, carrier and destination country’s rules.