Same-day Dispatch Services comply with strict transport regulations. We will not carry certain goods and substances. Please check our guidelines on prohibited goods before you book with us.

To comply with strict regulations we do not carry any substances classified as dangerous in the latest edition of the Civil Aviation Organisation's Technical Instructions.

There are nine hazard classes which cover these and the examples quoted below must not be taken as full lists of all dangerous goods. We will not accept other materials and products that may be hazardous to our handling staff.

Dangerous goods are defined as those goods which meet the criteria of one or more of the nine UN hazard classes. These classes relate to the type of hazard and are detailed below. All dangerous goods are prohibited.

• All flammable compressed gases are prohibited. Examples: Hydrogen; Ethane; Methane; Propane; Butane; Cigarette lighters; Gas Cylinders for camping stoves, blowlamps, etc.
• All toxic compressed gases are prohibited. Examples: Chlorine; Flourine,etc.
• All non-flammable compressed gases are prohibited. Examples: Carbon Dioxide; Nitrogen; Neon; Fire Extinguishers containing such gases, etc. iv) All aerosols are prohibited.

Class Three
Flammable Liquids Definition: 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. Examples: Acetone; Benzene; Cleaning Compounds; Gasoline; Lighter Fuel; Paint Thinners and Removers; Petroleum; Solvents, etc.

Class Four
Flammable Solids Definition: 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. Examples: Matches (any type inc. safety); Calcium Carbide; Cellulose Nitrate products; Metallic Magnesium; Nitro-cellulose based film; Phosphorous; Potassium; Sodium; Sodium Hydride; Zinc Powder; Zirconium Hydride, etc.

Class Five
Oxidising Substances and Organic Peroxides Definition: Though not necessarily combustable themselves, these substances may cause or contribute to combustion of other substances. They may also be liable to explosive decomposition, react dangerously with other substances, and be injurious to health. Examples: Bromates; Chlorates; Components of Fibreglass repair kits; Nitrates; Perchlorates; Permangamates; Peroxides, etc.

Class Six
Toxic (Poisonous) and Infectious Substances, Other Medical Substances. Definition: Substances liable to cause death or injury if swallowed or inhaled, or by skin contact. All toxic substances are prohibited. Examples: 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; Nitrobenzine; Nitrogen Dioxide; Pesticides; Rat Poison; Serum; Vaccines, etc. Pathogens in Risk Group 4 and selected Risk Group 3 pathogens listed in Schedule 9, part 5 of the latest edition of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations are prohibited. Examples: Clinical, environmental and medical waste; Ebola; Foot and Mouth disease.

Class Seven
Radioactive Material Definition: All materials and samples that are classified as radioactive using Table 2-12 of the latest edition of the International Civil Aviation Organisation's Technical Instructions. Examples: Fissile Material (Uranium 235,etc.); Radioactive Waste Material; Uranium or Thorium Ores, etc.

Class Eight
Corrosives Definition: Substances which can cause severe damage by chemical action to living tissue, other freight, or the means of transport. All corrosive substances are prohibited. Examples: Aluminium Chloride; Caustic Soda; Corrosive Cleaning Fluid; Corrosive Rust Remover/ Preventative; Corrosive Paint Remover; Electric Storage Batteries; Hydrocloric Acid; Nitric Acid; Sulphuric Acid, etc.

Class Nine
Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods Definition: Substances which present dangers not covered elsewhere. Examples: Asbestos; Dry Ice (solid carbon dioxide); Magnetised Material with a magnetic field strengthh of 0.159 A/m or more at a distance of 2.1m from the outside of the parcel.

We can carry these goods for you but conditions applied:

Alcoholic Beverages
Alcohol content should not be greater than 70%.

Arms and Ammunition
Arms and ammunition may be admitted conditionally.

Batteries
These may only be sent in their retail packaging.

Christmas Crackers
These may only be sent in complete made-up form and in their retail packaging.

Counterfeit Currency and Postage Stamps
Prohibited unless they are no longer available for current use and therefore of value only as collectors' items.

Diagnostic Specimens
These must always be sent in packaging that complies with Packing Instructions 650 available from the DTI. The total sample volume/mass in any parcel shall not exceed 50ml/g.

Infectious Substances
We will only accept infectious substances in Risk Groups 1,2 and 3. Samples known or suspected to contain infectious substances in Risk Group 4 are prohibited, as are selected Risk Group 3 pathogens listed in Schedule 9, part 5 of the latest edition of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health.All infectious substances must be sent in UN2814 or 2900 packaging as detailed in Packing Instructions 602 available from the CTI. The total sample volume/mass in any parcel shall not exceed 50ml/g.

Living Creatures
Certain living creatures are accepted only if enclosed in packs constructed so as to prevent injury to our staff, its agents or damage to other parcels. The following are accepted: bees; silkworms; leeches and certain parasites, destroyers of noxious pests, other insects sent to or from officially recognised institutions, mealworms, earthworms, caterpillars, ragworms, pupae and chrysalides, lugworms, maggots and fish fry and eggs.

Misleading Endorsements
Parcels must not bear words, marks or designs that are unauthorised, or may reasonably lead the recipient to believe that the packet has been sent On Her Majesty's Service.

Perishable Articles
Fresh fruit, meat, fish and other perishable articles should be able to withstand a journey of up to two days, and must be sent by our 24 hour service as a minimum requirement. Packages must be clearly labelled PERISHABLE.Packages of fish should be smoked or chilled, and sealed in vacuum packs before consignment. In all cases they must be enclosed in adequate polystyrene containment to prevent contamination.It is the responsibility of the sender to package all perishable articles in such a manner that during transportation the contents are kept at an appropriate temperature that is unlikely to give rise to a risk to health.

Prescription Drugs
Sent specifically for professional, medical or scientific purposes, these must clearly show the sender's address for prompt return in case of non-delivery. The properties of these drugs must not meet any of the nine UN hazard classes listed within the prohibitions section when classified by the sender. Private individuals can, in emergencies, send prescription quantities provided they include their own address on the inside of the parcel.

Sharp Objects
These items may only be posted if they are packaged appropriately so that they do not represent a risk to employees, other parcels or recipients.

Note: All restricted items and liquids should be packaged in good quality packaging that is of adequate strength for the purpose. They should be constructed and closed so as to prevent any leakage which might be caused under normal conditions of carriage within our delivery network.