Prohibited items
Last updated
Senders confirm their item isn't on this list each time they send a request, and that the traveller can inspect it at pickup.
Not sure whether something is allowed? Don't send it until you've asked the traveller and checked the rules.
Never allowed
Don't send or carry any of these with Sendbud.
Illegal drugs
Cannabis, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and controlled medicines such as tramadol or codeine without the prescription the law requires.
Weapons and ammunition
Guns and gun parts, replica guns, ammunition, bladed weapons, stun guns and pepper spray.
Explosives
Fireworks, flares, gunpowder, detonators and anything else that can explode.
Flammables and other dangerous goods
Anything the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations keep out of passenger baggage: fuel, lighter fluid, gas cylinders, flammable paints and solvents, acids and bleach, poisons and pesticides, radioactive or infectious material, and lithium batteries or power banks beyond the airline's limits.
Cash and bearer instruments
Banknotes and coins in any currency, cheques, money orders, traveller's cheques, bearer bonds and anything else whoever holds it can cash.
Counterfeit or stolen goods
Fake branded goods, pirated films, music or software, forged documents, and anything stolen.
Bank cards, SIM cards and ID documents
Bank cards, SIM cards, passports and ID cards, which are often used for fraud.
Live animals
Pets, birds, fish, insects and any other living creature, including eggs for hatching.
Human remains
Including ashes, and any body parts, blood or tissue.
Protected wildlife
Ivory, pangolin scales, rhino horn, bushmeat, and skins or other products from endangered species.
Obscene material
Pornography and other obscene material, and anything that sexualises children.
Perishables that break customs or airline rules
Fresh meat, fish, dairy, fruit, vegetables, plants, seeds or soil that customs at either end or the airline don't allow, and food that will spoil before it arrives.
Items restricted by Nigeria Customs Service
Goods on the Nigeria Customs Service import or export prohibition lists, or that need a permit you don't have. The lists change, so check customs.gov.ng.
Items restricted by the destination country
Anything the destination country, or a country the traveller passes through, bans or allows only with a permit you don't have. Check its customs website.
Anything the traveller's airline forbids
The airline's baggage and dangerous goods rules apply even when an item is legal.
Check before you send
These can be allowed, but only if the traveller agrees and the rules at both ends and the airline's rules allow them.
Prescription medicines
Only in their original packaging, with a copy of the prescription, in amounts for personal use, and only where they are legal at the destination.
Valuables
Jewellery, gold, phones and laptops. Sendbud doesn't insure items, and customs may charge duty. Agree with the traveller before you send.
Alcohol, tobacco and perfume
Within the destination's duty-free allowances and the airline's limits on liquids.
Food
Sealed, dry food that keeps is often allowed, but check the destination's rules first.
Several of the same item
Customs can treat goods in quantity as commercial imports and charge duty on them.
Inspection at pickup
- Senders must let the traveller open and inspect the item at pickup.
- Travellers can refuse sealed or wrapped packages they can't inspect, and anything they're unsure about. They can then cancel the request before pickup, and the sender gets a full refund.
- Pack items so they can be opened and closed again, and include receipts for new items. Customs officers may open them too.
- Travellers: never carry anything you haven't seen, and don't let anyone add to an item after you've checked it.
If the rules are broken
We may cancel the request, refund the sender, suspend or close the accounts involved, and report it to the police, customs or other authorities. Sending or carrying illegal items can lead to fines, prison and the items being seized.
To report a prohibited item, email support@sendbud.app with a link to the request. This list is part of our Terms of service.