Shipping items with UPS can be fast and convenient, but it‘s important to understand their restrictions on certain goods. As an expert shipper, I‘m often asked "what can‘t I ship with UPS"? This complete guide covers everything you need to know.
First, let‘s clarify a few key terms:
Shipping Restrictions: Limits placed on mailing specific items that may require special handling, paperwork, labeling etc. Restricted items can potentially be shipped if requirements are met.
Prohibited Items: Goods that UPS expressly forbids from their network under any circumstances. Trying to ship these items can carry serious consequences.
I‘ll explain both types of restrictions clearly below, because the difference is critical. My goal is to ensure you never unwittingly try sending a prohibited item and end up in legal trouble!
UPS Restricted Items List and Requirements
UPS divides restrictions into a few major categories:
- Alcohol and tobacco
- Living creatures
- Firearms and weapons
- Hazardous materials
- High value goods
Let‘s explore each restricted item type so you understand exactly what‘s allowed and how to ship properly if permitted.
Shipping Alcohol with UPS
Contrary to popular belief, UPS does accommodate alcohol shipping – but only under strict guidelines. You generally need:
- A pre-existing UPS contract permitting alcohol distribution
- Valid government licenses allowing alcohol sale/transport
- Special UPS alcohol shipping labels
UPS alcohol shipping requires following all federal, state and local regulations too. Failure to adhere can risk major fines or criminal charges!
But if you have all required licensing, the good news is liquor, wine and beer delivery is possible. For step-by-step advice tailored to your specific alcohol shipment, I recommend requesting a free consultation from one of our shipping experts.
Shipping Tobacco with UPS
As with alcohol, shipping tobacco products with UPS is restricted but potentially permitted if:
- You operate a licensed wholesale tobacco distributor
- Agree to stringent reporting and age-verification requirements
- Pay applicable tobacco taxes
Ensuring full legal compliance is critical, however, because illegally transporting tobacco carries severe penalties. Our advisors can guide you through prerequisites based on your shipment‘s destination state and volume.
Shipping Firearms and Ammunition with UPS
Surprisingly few people realize UPS allows firearms and ammo shipping! But similar to alcohol and tobacco, you must follow precise protocols including:
- Using authorized UPS locations only
- Proper ammunition labeling
- Firearm cases designed specifically for shipping
- Adult signature required upon delivery
Moreover, firearm shipping rules differ across states regarding permits, licenses and transportation methods. So I strongly recommend consulting UPS guidelines or asking an expert when arranging gun delivery.
Shipping Live Animals with UPS
Shipping live animals via UPS is limited to select authorized shippers requiring:
- Climate controlled transport
- Suitable transit enclosures
- Proper animal care/handling training
- Compliance with government animal welfare regulations
Thus unlicensed individuals cannot mail pets or other living creatures through UPS. Businesses dealing with animals must demonstrate ability to humanely ship them without risk of harm or distress.
Other Restricted Items
Beyond the major categories above, UPS enforces restrictions around:
- Hazardous Materials – Flammables, chemicals, batteries, etc. require dangerous goods certification to ship
- High Value Goods – Items worth over $50,000 need special transit insurance and handling
- Perishables – Time/temperature sensitive mailings like food or plants may need climate controlled transport
Adhering to limitations around these and other UPS restricted products takes diligent label reading and precaution. When in doubt, consult official UPS guidelines or reach out for personalized assistance planning your shipment.
UPS Prohibited Items List: What You Can NEVER Ship
Whereas UPS restricted items require special process but remain transportable, prohibited items constitute an outright, non-negotiable ban.
Attempting to mail any prohibited goods with UPS can prompt investigation, confiscation and even arrest in severe cases. So understanding what‘s forbidden is critical for avoiding trouble.
According to the official UPS prohibited items list, you should NEVER ship:
- Illegal drugs
- Hazardous waste
- Human remains or embryos
- Shark fins
- Marijuana and CBD products
- Vape products
- Ivory
- Postage stamps
- Common fireworks
- Loose coins and cash currencies
Moreover, any items illegally transported per governing laws cannot be shipped via UPS. Be sure consulting all applicable regulations if you have doubts on mailing a particular good.
To learn more on other major carriers‘ rules, see my articles comparing UPS vs USPS shipping restrictions and FedEx vs UPS prohibited items. While policies vary slightly between providers, understanding all limitations is key to safe, legal shipping.
The UPS Difference: More Shipping Flexibility Than USPS
A key advantage UPS maintains over the US Postal Service is an expansive list of shippable items, despite the restrictions above. UPS Transport agreements open possibilities for shipping alcohol, tobacco, firearms and other federally regulated products that USPS prohibits.
UPS also accommodates more flexibility shipping so-called "dangerous goods". With proper certified packaging and labeling, flammables, chemicals and other hazardous materials ship legally under UPS contracts. The same shipments would be mostly forbidden with USPS.
In short, UPS restrictions still allow transporting many goods illegal for USPS. So if you require shipping alcohol, ammunition, hazardous items etc., UPS delivers more options than federal postal channels. Our advisory team can guide you through requirements to ship lawfully based on your specific cargo.
In Closing: Avoiding UPS Shipping Penalties
I hope this complete overview better explains UPS shipping limitations governing restricted vs. prohibited products. While rules may seem complex, mainly exercise good judgment and caution when arranging delivery of any questionable goods.
Moreover, don‘t hesitate leveraging our team‘s expertise mapping best practices for your particular shipment. We can ensure smooth, compliant transport whether mailing fine art, firearms, alcohol or other specialized cargo requiring UPS oversight.
Most of all, the easiest way upholding UPS standards is simply avoiding their prohibited items list altogether. By steering clear of illegal and hazardous materials, you‘ll ship worry-free every time.
Stay compliant and ship smart! We‘re here to advise any step of the journey.
