The Fine Line: It is essential to understand the difference between prohibited items, which are completely banned, and restricted goods, which simply need the right permits to be imported.
2026 Battery Mandate: New rules for international shipping of restricted items in 2026 make a specific State of Charge (SoC) mandatory for many electronics.
Beauty as Dangerous Goods: Common bestsellers like perfumes and nail polishes are flammable liquids and require specialised handling and a trusted logistics partner.
Local Expertise: Success depends on navigating unique local requirements, such as the mandatory SNI certification for many electronics entering Indonesia to avoid delays at ports like Tanjung Priok.
When it comes to international shipping, understanding the rules for restricted items in 2026 can be the key to your global growth. For a business in Indonesia, one small oversight in a product's chemical makeup or battery type can lead to an immediate seizure by customs and heavy financial penalties. We are here to help you identify the hidden risks in your product catalogue, so you can turn complex compliance into a competitive advantage for your business.
Prohibited goods are items that are banned from entry into a country under any circumstances, usually for safety, legal, or policy reasons. In contrast, restricted goods are items that can be shipped, but only if you hold the correct permits or follow specific packaging and labelling rules. Knowing this distinction is the first step in protecting your business and your profit margins.
At DHL, we don't just say "no" to complex shipments. We work with you to find a way to ship your products safely by helping you identify the specific paperwork you need. Here’s how these categories typically break down.
Category | Status | Examples | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
Prohibited | Banned | Counterfeit goods, illicit drugs, asbestos | Absolute ban with no exceptions |
Restricted | Conditional | Antiques, seeds, medical devices | Requires government permits or certificates |
Dangerous Goods | Regulated | Lithium batteries, perfumes, aerosols | Must follow IATA packaging and labelling rules |
Failure to distinguish between these categories can result in your goods being seized and destroyed at the border. While counterfeit goods are always prohibited and will be seized, an electronic component that is restricted can clear customs smoothly if you provide the mandatory pre-shipment inspection certificate.
Many e-commerce merchants are surprised to learn that their best-selling perfumes and nail polishes are technically classified as dangerous goods for transport. This is because most high-end fragrances are alcohol-based, which classifies them as UN 1266, a Class 3 Flammable Liquid. Many solvent-based nail varnishes fall under a similar category.
We understand these challenges and provide specific solutions for the beauty industry to ship these items safely and without high costs. To ship these goods in compliance with regulations, you must follow these key steps:
Check the Safety Data Sheet: Ensure your manufacturer provides an up-to-date SDS that clearly lists the product's flashpoint.
Use Limited Quantity Packaging: Use leak-proof inner containers and strong outer packaging designed specifically for flammable liquids.
The rules for shipping electronics have become stricter under the latest IATA regulations. As of January 2026, air transport rules require many lithium-ion batteries to be shipped at a State of Charge (SoC) of 30 percent or less. This is now a firm requirement for the international shipping of restricted items in 2026.
MyDHL+ includes a built-in battery wizard that guides you through these mandatory declarations. This helps ensure you use the correct UN numbers for batteries that are contained in or packed with your equipment. Here’s your 2026 battery compliance checklist:
Verify SoC: Ensure your factory tests that the battery's charge is below the 30 percent threshold before the products are packed.
Check Watt-Hours: Confirm if your battery exceeds 100Wh, as this triggers more stringent transport protocols.
Access Test Summaries: Have the UN 38.3 Test Summary documentation ready, as customs authorities can request this at any time during clearance.
Global safety rules provide a baseline, but local regulations in Indonesia create unique restrictions that require local knowledge. For instance, the import of used electronics and second-hand clothing is heavily restricted to protect local industries and consumers. Furthermore, many categories of goods, from electronics to toys, require a Standar Nasional Indonesia (SNI) certificate to prove they meet national quality standards, a step that must be completed before shipment. For the most current information, it is always best to check the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DGCE / Bea dan Cukai) website.
Navigating food and drug regulations is the primary hurdle for merchants shipping food and supplements. Indonesia's National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) has strict registration and licensing requirements for imported products, including traditional medicines and health supplements. All ingredients must be approved and listed correctly to pass inspection.
Our specialised teams have the local expertise to help ensure your shipments remain compliant, which is crucial in a country with complex inter-island logistics. If you hold the correct permits, we ensure the security chain remains unbroken from origin to final destination. When shipping these items, please keep the following in mind:
Manufacturer Certificates: You often need a formal certificate of analysis or a statement that the item is free from specific contaminants.
Ingredient Transparency: Every ingredient must be clearly listed, often in both English and Bahasa Indonesia, on the packaging to pass a BPOM audit.
Safety Data Sheets: Customs may require an SDS to prove the item is not classified as a hazardous chemical.
You should also check for market-specific restrictions like the tight controls on products containing certain animal-derived ingredients. Our My Global Trade Services (MyGTS) tool can help check your product against Indonesia's current import laws.
In international trade, not knowing the law is not accepted as a legal defence. If you ship a prohibited item, it will typically be seized by Bea dan Cukai and destroyed at your expense. Even more seriously, misdeclaring dangerous goods can lead to administrative fees that far exceed the value of the goods themselves.
In 2026, penalties for misdeclared dangerous goods have increased significantly and can run into hundreds of millions of Indonesian Rupiah per occurrence. This doesn't include potential legal costs or the permanent loss of your shipping account. With our trusted relationship with local authorities and expertise, we act as a vital safety filter for your business, catching potential errors before the package leaves the country.
For any business looking to grow internationally, maintaining an audit-ready product catalogue is essential. We recommend reviewing your inventory at least once a quarter to account for shifting regulations, both globally and here in Indonesia. Use this 3-step checklist to clear your inventory for export:
Identify HS Codes: Assign an accurate Harmonized System code to every product to see its specific duty rates and any import restrictions.
Screen for Dangerous Goods: Flag any products containing liquids, gases, or batteries for a secondary safety review with our experts.
Check Restricted Parties: Use our trade automation tools to ensure your items aren't being sent to sanctioned individuals, companies, or regions.
Navigating the world of restricted items doesn't have to stop your business's growth. With the right partner who understands the unique challenges of the Indonesian market, you can turn complex compliance into a real competitive advantage.
Speak to a DHL specialist today to audit your product catalogue and unlock new markets with confidence.
These are goods that require special permits, specific packaging, or a limited state of charge to be transported safely across borders. They include items like lithium batteries, perfumes, and certain health supplements that are subject to new safety rules this year.
No, perfume is usually a restricted item classified as a dangerous good because it is flammable. You can ship it internationally if you follow the Limited Quantity (LQ) rules for packaging and labelling, which our teams can guide you on.
As of 2026, many lithium-ion batteries must be at a 30 percent state of charge or less when shipped by air. This IATA rule is designed to reduce the risk of fire during transit and applies to most consumer electronics.
Indonesian customs (Bea dan Cukai) may seize supplements if they contain ingredients that are not approved by the National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) or if they lack the required import registration. You must check these local laws before shipping such items.
Fines vary, but misdeclaring dangerous goods in 2026 can result in significant administrative penalties that can be equivalent to hundreds of millions of Indonesian Rupiah or more. It can also lead to your shipping account being suspended.
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