🚫 What You Can’t Ship with TUNL: Prohibited & Restricted Items Explained

When you're expanding your business globally, the last thing you want is a shipment stuck at customs—or worse, seized before it even leaves the country. That’s why it’s vital to understand what items are prohibited or restricted when using TUNL for international deliveries.

This guide outlines which items we won’t ship, what requires special permission, and why these rules matter. Let’s make sure your shipment keeps moving forward—no hiccups.

❌ TUNL’s Prohibited Items List

Some items are non-negotiable. Whether due to international regulations, safety concerns, or carrier restrictions, the following are not accepted for carriage under any circumstances:

💵 Cash and Bullion – That means coins, banknotes, and precious metals.
🔫 Weapons and Ammunition – No guns, parts, or anything explosive.
🔋 Lithium Batteries – Including any shipments that contain them.
🧬 Biological Substances – Anything classed as potentially infectious.
🧟 Human Remains – Including ashes, organs, or body parts.
🐾 Live Animals – Yes, even the adorable ones.
🌱 Fresh Foods or Plants – Perishables are a no-go.
💣 Fireworks and Explosives – These are considered hazardous cargo.
⚗️ Hazardous Materials – Any dangerous goods as defined by IATA.
🔥  Matchboxes and Match Sticks
🍷 Alcohol or Alcohol-Based Products – Think wine, spirits, perfume.
💊 Illegal or Counterfeit Goods – This includes narcotics and knock-offs.
🌍 Heads-up: Different countries may have their own additional restrictions. If your destination has unique laws, those still apply.

⚠️ Restricted Items (Permission Required)

Some goods aren’t outright banned—but they can’t be shipped without prior approval. You’ll need to check in with our team before sending:

Fragile Items

🫙 Glassware, ceramics, and electronics
We’ll only accept these if they’re packaged according to our requirements.

High-Value Items

💎 High value Jewellery, electronics, luxury goods

For TUNL Economy shipping: the max declared value is $800.
For FedEx or UPS Express: anything over $5,000? Let’s chat first.

Cosmetics, Liquids & Herbal Products

🧴 These categories are accepted, but only with prior approval. In most cases, you’ll need to provide an MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) and/or other documentation to ensure your products meet international shipping regulations.

👉 Here’s a helpful primer on what an MSDS is and why it matters: What is an MSDS?

🚫 Personal Items? Not Right Now

At this time, TUNL does not support the shipping of personal items.
That includes suitcases, used clothing, or parcels unrelated to commercial use.
We're laser-focused on helping South African SMEs grow their global business—so while we love your travel plans, we’re not your go-to for sending personal luggage abroad.

💬 Why These Restrictions Exist

It’s not about being a buzzkill. Prohibited and restricted items create complications with:

International customs clearance
Airline and carrier regulations
Health, safety, and environmental standards
And frankly, no one wants an international shipment stopped mid-journey. We’re here to make global trade feel easy, not frustrating.

🚀 Ready to Ship?

If you’re unsure whether your product falls under any restricted category, chat to us before booking. We’re happy to help you figure it out. The world is waiting—let’s keep your shipments moving in the right direction.

Updated on: 10/06/2025