Prohibited & Restricted Items
Not all items can move through a parcel network safely and some items can cause serious harm. Yodel therefore has a strict policy that aims to minimise the risk to our people, our operation, and to the general public.
Prohibited items
Yodel does not carry the items listed below on any service. You must not send such items through our network under any circumstances.
Animals. Live animals, including mammals, reptiles, spiders, fish, birds, insects and larvae.
Banderols and tax stickers. Commonly used for alcohol and tobacco.
Bullion of any precious metal.
Cash and cash-like negotiable instruments in bearer form. This includes any item that in the hands of the bearer (the person in possession) can be used for financial gain. Examples include; activated SIM cards, cash dispenser cards, blank cheques, event tickets, money or postal orders, pre-paid phone cards, traveller’s cheques and unused stamps.
Dangerous Goods. Yodel will not accept for carriage any items categorised under applicable law or regulation as dangerous or hazardous (“Dangerous Goods”) (subject to specific limited exceptions, as detailed in the Restricted Items section below). Dangerous Goods include:
Explosive substances and articles
Gases including flammable gas, toxic gas and non flammable/ non-toxic gasses
Flammable liquids (for example petrol)
Flammable solids, self-reactive substances and solid desensitised explosives, substances liable to spontaneous combustion
Oxidising substances and organic peroxides
Toxic & infectious substances
Radioactive material
Corrosives
Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles
Drugs. Any medicinal, narcotic or psychoactive substance controlled under applicable current Misuse of Drugs legislations.
Firearms, weapons, explosives and ammunition. Commodities whose specific functionality is to inflict injury or to cause death, such as complete firearms, explosives (including fireworks, flares, blasting caps & party poppers) and ammunition
Human and animal remains or ashes
Illegal goods. Any goods considered to be illegal in any territory, including but not limited to pirated goods, counterfeit goods and narcotics.
Imitation or Replica firearms, weapons, explosive devices or ammunition. Although these items are usually disabled (without a firing mechanism or explosive components), they hold the same or similar appearance as real firearms, weapons, explosive devices and ammunition
Knives. Any knife, knife blade or razor blade; any axe; and any other article which has a blade, or which is sharply pointed and is made or adapted for use for causing injury to the person. Examples include; Any kitchen knife regardless of size or design; cutlery knives; bread knives; knives that can be used for the purpose of hobbies and trades (stanley knives); cut-throat razors; carpenter adzes; gardening and farming tools such as shears, secateurs, hooks, slashers and choppers; butcher knives, including meat cleavers; utility knives; scissors with sharp edges or points; survival knives; machetes and swords
Loose precious stones. Including industrial diamonds and regardless of value
Medical samples. This includes bodily fluids and tissue samples (both animal and human)
Overweight Parcels. Parcels that weigh in excess of 30kg
Territorial Restrictions.
In respect of our international services we do not carry any items which are prohibited or restricted by the laws, regulations, or other rules applicable to any territory which the items will travel through or to which the items are to be sent. Be aware that prohibitions and restrictions vary significantly by territory and can apply to items which may be considered harmless in your own territory. They can also be applied on very short notice, such as in the case of sanctions and embargoes. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with the most up to date rules which affect the territory to which you are sending the parcel.
We may amend this webpage from time to time and it is your responsibility to ensure that you comply with the most up to date version at all times. We may also impose additional prohibitions depending upon the territory to which the items are to be sent.
Additionally, we do not carry any other items which in our sole discretion we believe may pose a risk to our people, our operation, or to the general public.
Prohibited & Restricted items entering Northern Ireland following May 1st 2025
The Windsor Framework established a new set of arrangements for the movement of goods between Great Britain (GB) and Northern Ireland (NI) via both parcels and freight. The Framework has created two distinct flows of goods: a “Green Lane” and a “Red Lane”, which are detailed below:
If, at the point of purchase, a B2C parcel is held in the UK mainland, it can be processed via the Green Lane;
If a parcel is sourced from EU, ROW or is B2B, the UKIMS scheme does not apply and the parcel would require a full customs declaration before moving from GB to NI meaning, therefore, it must be processed via the Red Lane;
All C2C and B2C parcels can still be delivered to NI addresses, provided the carrier is registered with UKIMs and follows the relevant Green Lane procedures; and
All B2B parcels must be sent via the Red Lane
From the 1st May 2025, Yodel will not be able to ship any parcels to Northern Ireland that fall into the Red Lane category in compliance with the Windsor Framework requirements.
Yodel does not have a system in place to enable us to distinguish between Green Lane and Red Lane parcels and we are reliant upon the actions of our clients and their committal to not providing us with Red Lane parcels.
Any parcel that should be shipped to Northern Ireland via the Red Lane and is identified as such will be returned to the sender and their cost. If we have not been able to identify the parcel as Red Lane, and have therefore processed the parcel via our Green Lane system, Yodel shall have no liability with regards to any sanctions or penalties levied by HMRC relating to non-compliance with the Windsor Framework protocol.
For a list of Prohibited & Restricted items entering Northern Ireland, please click here
Restricted items
Yodel does not carry the items listed below on any service as a standard practice. You must not send such items through our network under any circumstances without our prior written approval. Even where we do provide written approval, you must comply fully with all instructions given as a condition of such approval, otherwise the items are not permitted into our network.
We never carry Restricted Items on our international services.
For more details of applicable conditions, please contact dangerousgoods@yodel.co.uk.
Antiques and works of art regardless of value or insurance cover.
Costume jewellery
Dangerous Goods in limited quantities as permitted by law and regulations (e.g. perfume, lithium batteries, weed killer) subject to your compliance with all laws and regulations relating to these items, including the mandatory limitations on quantities and any specific documentation, labelling and packaging requirements
Electronic components such as mobile phones, laptops, tablets, computers and game consoles
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigs and vaping pipes)
Firearms parts. This includes all component parts of firearms (e.g. rifle butts, trigger mechanisms, screws/bolts etc.) manufactured for the sole purpose of creating a functional firearm
Flowers and plant products
Foodstuffs (Human or Animal). Dry foods, tinned foods and similar products that can be stored at room temperature with a shelf-life of 21 days or more
Fresh Foods (Perishable)
Furs and garments trimmed with furs
Glassware and items containing glass. Note: Yodel does not accept liability for Glassware, unless otherwise authorised
High value goods. Goods with an order value in excess of £500
Ivory and products containing ivory
Jewellery and objects constructed of precious metals or stones
Legal drugs and pharmaceutical products
Liquids
Pornography. Material (printed, film or digital) that is specifically designed to stimulate sexual interest or excitement. Only material considered legal in the origin, transit points and destination countries can be considered for carriage
Televisions with a screen width greater than 42”
Tobacco. Both loose-leaf tobacco products and pre-rolled cigarettes
Used car parts and components. Used car parts risk containing lubricants such as engine oil, grease, diesel and petrol, all of which may cause harm to other parcels, people and sort equipment
We may amend this list from time to time and it is your responsibility to ensure that you comply with the most up to date version at all times.