This summer, SmartPosti employees have found fly larvae and fishing worms, as well as cockroaches and beetles intended as feed for animals, in parcels. Although live bait and animal feed are legally sold, they cannot be sent through parcel lockers or using standard courier services. The list of prohibited items also includes many other products that may seem harmless at first glance.
SmartPosti’s Operations Manager in Lithuania, Vaidotas Kirkickas, points out that live organisms in parcels can cause various logistical, aesthetic and hygiene problems. According to him, the shipment of live insects is not prohibited without reason – even when carefully packed, they can accidentally escape from the packaging and make parcel handling more difficult. This is especially relevant when sending live bait, such as fly larvae.
“Parcel delivery companies’ infrastructure is not designed to transport any live organisms – animals, birds or fish – regardless of whether they are intended for keeping, fishing or feeding other animals. Live plants also cannot be sent through parcel lockers or by couriers,” says V. Kirkickas, recalling that two years ago there were even cases in Lithuania where SmartPosti employees found exotic animals being transported in parcels.
“People often think that the list of prohibited items is excessive, but reality shows otherwise. Over the past few years, we have encountered both a python that escaped from a parcel and a leopard gecko in our terminals, while in Estonia, a bee hive escaped from a parcel. Such cases are rare, but they clearly show why sending live animals is not allowed. Situations like these pose a risk not only to animal welfare, but also to employee safety and the protection of other parcels. It is important to know that cruel treatment of animals can result in liability, and costs incurred because of an incident may be recovered from the sender,” says SmartPosti’s Operations Manager in Lithuania.
Prohibited by law
The official list of items prohibited from being sent under the laws of the Republic of Lithuania also includes perishable food products, biological and infectious substances, radioactive, explosive, corrosive, toxic and flammable substances, as well as substances that may become dangerous when exposed to extremely low or extremely high temperatures. Narcotic and psychotropic substances, weapons and their parts, and ammunition also cannot be sent through parcel lockers or by courier.
“When an item is completely legal in one country but prohibited in another, it also cannot be sent through a parcel delivery service. For example, in Lithuania, an adult can legally purchase a pepper spray canister for self-defense. However, in Sweden, such a canister is considered a weapon, so an individual cannot send it – a special permit is required to import and possess it in Sweden. In the United Kingdom, such a self-defense canister is prohibited altogether,” explains V. Kirkickas.
He points out that all of the materials included in the official list are dangerous in some way: they can cause a fire or explosion, cause chemical burns, lead to poisoning, spread infection or otherwise pose a real danger to the health or even lives of couriers, parcel terminal employees, parcel recipients and people nearby.
According to SmartPosti’s rules, it is also prohibited to send cash, bank cards, coins, precious metals, gemstones, financial securities, bonds, personal and travel documents, permits and other documents granting special status.
“Sending certain liquids may also be restricted, as they can leak from containers that are not properly sealed or protected against impact, damaging other parcels or sorting equipment. All sharp objects may only be sent using special protective packaging that ensures the tip of the tool or other item will not puncture the box and injure people,” says V. Kirkickas.
Prohibitions may vary
Individual parcel delivery companies may also have additional items that are prohibited from being sent specifically through their parcel lockers or by their couriers. For example, some do not accept batteries, magnets, tobacco, smoke detectors, hunting trophies, various bleaches and paints, drinks containing more than 70% alcohol, or even nail polish.
“The requirements of a specific parcel delivery company may depend on the ingredients, concentration, quantity and even packaging of a particular product. Therefore, if there is any doubt, it is better to check the selected carrier’s rules in advance and make sure that the item you plan to send is not on the prohibited list,” V. Kirkickas warns.
According to him, before sending any parcel, it is also important to consider whether the item could potentially pose a danger, damage other parcels or cause problems during transportation because of its properties. The expert reminds that in some cases, such an item cannot be sent using standard parcel delivery services, or special shipping and packaging requirements may apply.
“Something that can be freely purchased and sent within Lithuania is not necessarily allowed to be imported into another country. Therefore, before preparing an international shipment, its legality should be checked very carefully – not only on the specific carrier’s website, but also with the customs and postal services of the destination country,” advises V. Kirkickas.