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# 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?](https://help.tunl.to/en/article/what-is-an-msds-a-must-have-for-international-shipping-from-south-africa-1ovc2o1/)

### 🚫 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.

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### 🦸‍♀️ Have more questions? We're here to help!

If you run into any issues or have questions, reach out to our support team via Whatsapp [__here__](http://wa.link/gpiyz3) or on chat [__here__](https://tunl.to/#crisp-open).

**Please help us help you by rating this article below. Was it useful? Your feedback means a lot to us!**
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**Keywords: **Prohibited | Restricted Items
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