When it comes to international shipping, restricted items in 2026 can make or break your global growth. A minor oversight in a product's chemical composition or battery type can lead to immediate seizure and heavy financial penalties. At DHL, we help you identify the hidden risks in your product catalogue so you can turn complex compliance into a competitive advantage.
Prohibited goods are items that are banned from entry under any circumstances for safety or legal reasons. Restricted goods are items that can be shipped if you hold the correct permits or follow specific packaging rules. Understanding this distinction is the first step in protecting your profit margins.
DHL does not simply refuse complex shipments. We help you find a compliant path by identifying the documentation you need. Here is 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 |
Failing to distinguish between these categories can result in your goods being destroyed at the border. While a counterfeit handbag is prohibited and will be seized, an 18th-century antique is restricted and can be shipped provided you supply an export licence.
Many e-commerce merchants are surprised to learn that their best-selling perfumes and nail polishes are technically dangerous goods. Most high-end fragrances are alcohol-based, which classifies them as UN 1266, a Class 3 Flammable Liquid. Solvent-based nail polishes fall under a similar category.
We provide tailored solutions for the beauty industry to ship these items without incurring excessive costs. To ship them safely, you must follow these steps:
The rules for shipping electronics have tightened considerably with 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% or less. This is now a hard requirement for international shipping of restricted items in 2026.
MyDHL+ includes a built-in battery wizard that guides you through these mandatory declarations. This ensures you use the correct UN numbers for batteries contained in or packed with equipment. Here is your 2026 battery compliance checklist:
Global safety rules are the baseline, but local cultural and legal standards create unique restricted zones. What is permitted in one market may be a serious legal violation in another. Our local experts provide the intelligence that basic compliance software often misses.
If you are shipping into Vietnam, you need to be aware of the prohibition on importing certain categories of used consumer goods, including textiles, footwear, clothing, electronics, refrigeration appliances, and many other household items under Appendix I of Government Decree 69/2018/ND-CP. There is an absolute ban on used electronics in many forms. A notable example involves a Vietnamese garment exporter shipping to the United States whose goods were seized after used clothing was found mixed in with new items. The General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) at Cát Lái Port in Ho Chi Minh City requires all HS codes to be declared accurately at the individual item level. You can verify these requirements by checking the GDVC website . Staying informed about these local requirements will protect your brand from being blacklisted.
Biosecurity is the primary hurdle for food and supplement merchants. Vietnam has strict regulations on imported goods to protect public health. Many health supplements are treated as regulated products if they contain ingredients that have not been approved by Vietnam's Ministry of Health.
Our specialised teams help ensure your shipments remain compliant. If you hold the correct permits, we make sure the security chain remains unbroken. When shipping these items, keep the following in mind:
You should also check for market-specific requirements such as product registration with Vietnam's Ministry of Health under Decree 15/2018/ND-CP for health protection foods. Our Global Trade Services tool can check your product against the destination country's current regulations.
Ignorance of the law is not a legal defence in international trade. If you ship a prohibited item, it is typically seized and destroyed at your expense. Even worse, misdeclaring dangerous goods can lead to administrative penalties that far exceed the value of the goods themselves.
In 2026, the average penalty for misdeclared dangerous goods can reach approximately VND 394,000,000 per incident, not including potential legal costs or the permanent suspension of your shipping account. In Vietnam, penalties for customs misdeclaration are set out in Decree 128/2020/ND-CP, with fines that can reach tens of millions of dong depending on the severity of the violation. We act as a vital safety filter for your business by catching these errors at the origin warehouse before the package leaves the country.
Maintaining an audit-ready product catalogue is essential for any merchant scaling internationally. You should review your inventory at least once a quarter to account for shifting regulations. Use this 3-step checklist to clear your inventory for export:
Navigating the world of restricted items does not have to slow your growth. With the right partner, you can turn complex compliance into a competitive advantage. At DHL, we are committed to supporting your business with the reliability and local expertise needed to keep your shipments moving. This is particularly valuable during peak periods such as Tet, when Cát Lái Port in Ho Chi Minh City and Noi Bai Airport frequently experience significant congestion, and having a logistics partner who understands local processes can help you avoid unnecessary delays and costs.
Contact 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 such as lithium batteries, perfumes, and certain health supplements that are subject to new safety rules this year.
No, perfume is generally a restricted item classified as a dangerous good because it is flammable. You can ship it internationally provided you follow the Limited Quantity (LQ) rules for packaging and labelling.
As of 2026, many lithium-ion batteries must be at 30% charge or less when shipped by air. This rule is designed to reduce the risk of fire during transit and applies to most consumer electronics.
Customs may seize supplements if they contain ingredients that are not approved in the destination country. You must check local biosecurity and therapeutic goods regulations before shipping these items. In Vietnam, this includes compliance with product registration requirements with the Ministry of Health.
Fines vary by country, but misdeclaring dangerous goods in 2026 can result in administrative penalties of VND 394,000,000 or more per incident. It can also lead to your shipping account being suspended.
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