Prohibited Goods
SendSocial and myHermes take all legal and safety issues seriously, and we refuse to carry any of the harmful or illegal items listed below. If they are found in myHermes' delivery network they will be returned to the sender or disposed of. In some cases, the sender may face prosecution.
- Aerosols – except inhalers with a volume of 50ml or less
- Alcoholic liquids – with alcohol content higher than 70% volume
- 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 – such as used dressings, bandages, needles, or cotton wool
- Drugs – prescription or illegal
- Corrosive substances – 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, et cetera
- 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
- Dry ice – dry ice is solid carbon dioxide
- Environmental waste – such as used engine oil or used batteries
- Explosives – any chemical compound, mixture or device capable of producing an explosive-pyrotechnic effect, with substantial instantaneous release of heat and gas. This includes, but is not limited to: ammunition; blasting caps; fireworks; flares; fuses; igniters; and nitroglycerine. Items that appear to be prohibited weapons or explosive ordnance, even if incapable of being used as a weapon are also prohibited
- Filth – such as dirt, waste or refuse
- Flammable liquids – 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. This includes, but is not limited to: acetone; benzene; cleaning compounds; gasoline; lighter fuel; paint thinners and removers; petroleum; and solvents
- Flammable solids – solid materials which are liable to cause fire by friction, absorption of water, spontaneous chemical changes or retained heat from manufacturing or processing, or which can be readily ignited and burn vigorously. This includes, but is not limited to: adhesives; calcium carbide; cellulose nitrate products; matches; metallic magnesium; nitro-cellulose based film; phosphorous; potassium; sodium; sodium hydride; zinc powder; and zirconium hydride
- Gases – gases that are compressed, liquefied or dissolved under pressure. Permanent gases which cannot be liquefied at ambient temperatures; liquefied gases which become liquid under pressure at ambient temperatures; dissolved gases which are dissolved under pressure in a solvent.
- All flammable compressed gases are prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to: blowlamps; butane; cigarette lighters; ethane; gas cylinders for camping stoves; hydrogen; methane; and propane
- All toxic compressed gases are prohibited, including, but not limited to: chlorine; and fluorine
- All non-flammable compressed gases are prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to: air bags; carbon dioxide; fire extinguishers containing such gases; neon; and nitrogen
- Living creatures
- Magnetised material – magnetised material with a magnetic field strength of 0.159A/m or more at a distance of 2.1m from the outside of the package
- Matches of any kind – see the ‘flammable solids list’ above for more examples
- Oxidising substances and organic peroxide – these are substances such as disinfectants and may cause or contribute to combustion of other substances. They may also be liable to explosive decomposition, react dangerously with other substances, and injure health. These include, but are not limited to: bromides; chlorates; components of fibreglass repair kits; disinfectants; nitrates; per chlorates; permanganates; and peroxides
- Pathogens – these are things that can cause disease, such as a virus. Pathogens in the Risk Group 4 and selected Risk Group 3 listed in Schedule 9, Part 5 of the latest edition of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations are prohibited. These include, but are not limited to: clinical; environmental and medical waste; ebola; anthrax; and foot and mouth disease
- Perfumes and aftershaves – those that are classed as flammable are prohibited. Non-flammable items may be accepted but there are restrictions based on alcoholic content
- Poisonous (toxic) and infectious substances – substances that are liable to cause death or injury if swallowed or inhaled, or by skin contact. All toxic substances are prohibited, including, but not limited to: arsenic; beryllium; cyanide; fluorine; hydrogen selenide; infectious substances containing micro-organisms or their toxins which are known to cause (or are suspected of causing) disease; mercury; mercury salts; mustard gas; nitrobenzene; nitrogen dioxide; pesticides; rat poison; serum; and vaccines
- Pesticides – any chemical that is used to kill pests and insects
- Radioactive materials – radioactive materials and samples that are classified as radioactive using Table 2-12 of the latest edition of the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) Technical Instructions. This includes, but is not limited to: fissile material; uranium 235, et cetera; radioactive waste material; thorium; and uranium ores
- Sharp instruments – including knives, gardening and household tools, unless properly protected
- Solvent-based paints and inks – these are varnishes (including nail varnish), enamels and similar substances
- UN2814 or UN2900 infectious substances – these are classified at Division 6.2 of the 2005-2006 Edition Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air published by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)
- Water-based paints and inks – including household paint and inks over 150ml in volume
