ParcelPedia Podcast

Save Time & Money: What You Need to Know Before Mailing That Package

• James Banks • Episode 14

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Are There Any Items That You Can’t Ship, Or Items That Require Special Packaging Or Documentation?

Ever wondered why your perfume gift got rejected at the shipping counter? Or why that battery-powered device needs special handling? Shipping isn't just about boxes and tape—it's a world with complex rules that vary dramatically between domestic and international services.

Navigating shipping restrictions can be confusing and frustrating without proper guidance. From the outright banned items (like those cologne bottles you can't send internationally) to the special documentation needed for common electronics containing lithium-ion batteries, the differences between what's allowed and what's restricted might surprise you. As James Banks from ParcelPedia explains, some items simply cannot be shipped internationally "no matter if you put a pretty please on the box or tuck a $50 in there," while others require specific labeling and paperwork to ensure safe transport.

Have questions about a challenging shipment? We're here to help with expert guidance and all the special labels and paperwork you need for successful delivery. Mention "podcast" at our Frisco store to receive 10% off select shipping services and experience hassle-free shipping with confidence!

To learn more about ParcelPedia visit:
https://www.ParcelPedia.com
ParcelPedia
8992 Preston Road, Suite 110
Frisco, Texas
972- 335-1450

Speaker 1:

Welcome to the Parcelpedia podcast, the ultimate guide to all things shipping and business services in Frisco, texas, from US mail and FedEx to private mailboxes and packing supplies. We've got you covered. Stay tuned for a special discount code to save on your next order. And now delivering expert tips and insider insights with a smile, here's your host, james Banks. Owner of Parcelpedia.

Speaker 2:

Thinking of shipping grandma's famous chili or a live hamster. You might want to check the rules first. Some items are straight up banned, while others need special packaging and paperwork to make the journey safely. In this episode, we break down what you can and can't send and the extra steps required for tricky shipments. Welcome back everyone. I'm Sophia Yvette, co-host, flash producer, back in the studio with James Banks. James, how's it going today?

Speaker 3:

Hey Sophia, I'm doing very well. How are you today?

Speaker 2:

I'm doing well, James. Thank you so much for asking, so are there any items that you can't ship or items that require special packaging or documentation?

Speaker 3:

Yes, definitely both of those. As far as can't ship, I would say international is where you actually run into just straight up cannot be done, will not be done, no way around it. Shipments, and that's typically when it comes to hazardous materials or dangerous chemicals. As far as domestic, when you're just shipping within the continent, it's a little bit wider gap as far as what you can send and it kind of falls along the lines of what you said mentioning. As far as paperwork goes, it can be shipped but you need some more paperwork. Some of the things as far as international are like colognes and perfumes, with them being considered flammable liquids. They will not ship, no matter what. No matter if you put a pretty please on the box or tuck a 50 in there, it's not going to work. So you're going to have to probably drop ship it from a company. That's the only way that flammable liquids can be shipped is from a corporate location. So you can't do it person to person as a gift, unfortunately. And the domestic sphere, as far as just state to state or within the state, you can ship those, that's no problem.

Speaker 3:

Lithium ion batteries is one that do require some special documentation. So lithium ion batteries, if you're not familiar with them. Those are most commonly found in cell phones, laptops, ipads, tablets basically any new type of electronic that charges and doesn't have any type of battery take out or replace. It's more than likely a lithium ion battery and that does need to be replaced are documented on the box as well as in the box. As far as all the steps needed, we can help you with that. We have all the labels, the stickers that even go on the box for that, at no extra fee. We just need to know what's in the box to label it correctly.

Speaker 3:

But it's fairly simple. As far as getting that labeled, they have it where it's all mandated. So it's very straightforward. It's no guessing game. Just look it up and you do exactly what they say per quantity of batteries and things of that nature. But it's not something that consumers so much has to worry about when they come to Parcelpedia. We have all that handy. We have a catalog that tells us, by item and a battery amount, what you need. No key down there. As far as the box and as far as the international shipments, we have a full catalog that DHL provides that shows every single country and every single restriction and or prohibited item to and out of that country. So, for sure, as far as the knowledge and the know-how we have, that you just bring it to us, give us a call, shoot us an email and we'll break it all down for you.

Speaker 2:

So, james, have you ever had anyone refuse to tell you what's in the box, and and were you still able to provide them?

Speaker 3:

Unfortunately. Yes, when you're shipping internationally, you have to provide a commercial invoice, which is a detailed invoice describing the contents of the box. And if you want to send a Christmas gift or a birthday gift, obviously you don't want to get too detailed because the recipient will also see that on the box and it kind of ruins the surprise. So you can be a little bit vague. Instead of saying Apple, ipod or iPad, you could say electronic tablet. But we do need to know what's going on. It's for the safety of everyone, because of those batteries they can explode under pressure. That's why they have to be marked.

Speaker 3:

It's very serious matter and so we don't want you to think we're trying to pry or be in your business. It's just trying to keep everyone safe and make sure your package is there, because you don't want to ship it in the halfway. They realize this was not supposed to be shipped and then get stopped and yet can't even get it back at that point. And that's a lot of money wasted, time wasted. No one's happy in that scenario. So we definitely try to catch it beforehand.

Speaker 2:

And yes, we will ask what types of goods require special packaging or documentation, like the hamster.

Speaker 3:

So the hamster at ParcelPedia. I will say we don't ship live animals. We do not. The only live animal I shipped was one gecko at one time because I called it in. They said, yeah, they're pretty low class, can you ship them? Don't survive. I feel bad for my gecko friends, but they can ship pretty easily. But as far as mammals you know large reptile snakes I would suggest that you call a carrier directly. It's definitely going to be a special handling. More likely they'll want to come pick up from your place versus you taking it to a location where other guests may not be so comfortable to see a big six-foot python come out of your bag. So I would just say call 1-800-GO-FEDEX, you can call 1-800-DHL, you can call UPS, any of those guys. They'll help you out, not to push you away, but we like to keep things you know fairly I guess not sentient here that we ship out in parcelpedia.

Speaker 2:

So, James, are there different rules for domestic versus international shipping?

Speaker 3:

Oh, yes, for sure. Definitely. I would categorize it as domestic being a little bit easier and international being a little bit more complex. International shipping requires a lot more documentation. It requires something called harmonized codes. It is something where each detailed item has to have a corresponding code that's internationally recognized, just so that when customers get it they can go through the codes, match it with your items, confirm that's what they see in the x-ray and move it along. So it is a bit more involved. Not to make it sound scary or overwhelming, because we do all that for you. It's just a matter of knowing what's in your box.

Speaker 3:

But there are more restrictions for international shipping. Domestic can definitely be easier, but you still have some things that you need to comply with, just to keep everyone safe. I know we were speaking about the lithium ion batteries and they can be very volatile if shipped incorrectly. So we always have to know if you have a lithium ion battery. You've probably seen the label before. Actually, you can see in the corner here this little red sticker with the batteries on it. That's something you see on your Amazon boxes. You get them in from the store that just shows that there's a lithium ion battery inside and so that package can ship. It can go on a plane. It just cannot go on a carrier plane, so no passengers can be on those planes, it's just cargo only, and that's important to keep everybody safe. So we definitely comply through that. Domestic is a little bit easier, but international, when it comes with its extra paperwork, we do that, we do all the hard work for you, so you don't have to worry about the complexities behind it.

Speaker 2:

Love it, James. We'll catch you in the next episode.

Speaker 1:

Have a fantastic rest of your day, all right, thank you. You too, thanks for joining us on the Parcelpedia podcast. Don't forget mention podcast at our store to snag 10% off select shipping services. Stop by at 8992 Preston Road, suite 110, frisco, texas, or give us a ring at 972-335-1450. We're here to make your shipping a breeze. Until next time, keep shipping and smiling.