What you can’t send
We’re happy to carry most things, but there are a few items we either can’t accept or can’t compensate for. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Non-compensatory - You can still send these, but if something goes wrong, we won’t be able to offer any cover.
Prohibited – These items aren’t allowed in our network at all. Please don’t send them.
All parcels need to meet our size and weight limits, and it’s really important to wrap everything securely. Find our guidelines here. Your parcel will travel through lockers, vans, depots, and hubs, so make sure it’s packed to handle the journey.
Please note: the maximum item value we can accept in our network is £500, even if additional cover has been purchased from within the InPost app.
Non-compensatory items
You can send these items with us, but we can’t offer cover or compensation if your parcel is damaged or lost.
Prohibited items
Some things just aren’t safe (or legal!) to send through our network. These items are strictly prohibited and must not be sent under any circumstances.
Non-compensatory items
- Cash or anything that works like it – This includes money, coins, bullion, cheques, pre-paid cards, gift vouchers, coupons, or anything that can be swapped for money, goods or services.
- Credit or debit cards – Even if they’re inactive or expired, we can’t cover them.
- Flowers and plants – We can't cover for plants, seeds, bulbs, or flowers.
- Lottery tickets and scratch cards – Or anything else linked to gambling.
- Tax stickers and banderols – These aren't covered.
- Tickets – Travel, event or any other kind of ticket.
- SIM cards & SD cards – Sorry, no coverage for these.
- Glass, ceramics & other delicate items – Delicate items can be sent through our network, but this is done at your own risk.
- High-value items – Items worth more than £500 are sent at your own risk. Additional coverage purchased via the InPost app, is only available for Items with a value up to £500.
- Optical items – Cameras, lenses, glasses, binoculars, or telescopes (anything containing a lithium battery is a Prohibited Item which cannot be sent through our network. See “Prohibited Items” below).
- Sensitive documents – Medical records, ID, employment paperwork, property info, commercial or negotiable documents – we can’t take responsibility for these.
- Tech and electronics – Computers, games consoles, TVs, monitors – again, without lithium batteries(anything containing a lithium battery is a Prohibited Item which cannot be sent through our network. See “Prohibited Items” below).
- Light bulbs or delicate lighting equipment – These don’t travel well.
Prohibited Items
Batteries & Power-Related Items
Lithium batteries – We cannot accept lithium batteries, loose or inside a device.
Magnetised items – These can interfere with transport equipment.
Pressurised containers – Including aerosols, oxygen tanks, and fire extinguishers.
Gases of any kind – Flammable, toxic, or even just compressed – if it's gas, it's out.
Liquids, Gels & Pastes
No liquids of any kind, including:
Gels, oils, creams, lotions, paste - Includes any semi-liquid items that could leak or spill, such as cosmetics, hair products, or food pastes.
Paints, solvents, varnish, ink - Includes any substance that is flammable, toxic, or prone to leaking. This covers household or industrial paints, turpentine, thinners, correction fluid, printer ink, and similar items that can pose a safety risk or damage other parcels.
Items including a liquid inside - No vapes, perfume pens, or hot & cold packs.
Dangerous & Hazardous Materials
Corrosive, flammable, or explosive substances – This includes bleach, petrol, and fireworks.
Toxic or infectious substances – Think mercury, pesticides, cyanide, or anything that could cause harm.
Oxidisers & organic peroxides – Including disinfectants and chemicals used in repair kits.
Radioactive materials – Including samples, ores, or waste.
Medical or biological waste – Such as used clinical items, pathogens, or samples (e.g. blood, vaccines, or Covid-19 samples).
Asbestos or environmental waste – Never allowed in transit.
Weapons, Tobacco, Drugs & Dangerous Items
Weapons – Guns (real or imitation), knives, axes, or parts thereof.
- Ammunition – Of any type.
- Tobacco and smoking accessories – This includes anything used for smoking.
Illegal substances – Including narcotics, psychoactive substances, or unauthorised medication.
Teeth whitening products – Due to chemical content.
Counterfeit goods or contraband – That includes anything made illegally or under false branding.
Anything illegal to send – Including age-restricted items that can’t be legally delivered to someone.
Animals, Remains & Organic Items
Animals or livestock – Living or otherwise.
Human or animal remains – Including ashes, organs, or body parts.
Medical samples – Including anything biological in nature.
Restricted Materials & Miscellaneous
Animal furs, skins, ivory – Or products that contain them (leather goods are OK).
Goods made in foreign prisons – These are banned.
Items pretending to be official – Anything marked to look like it’s “On His Majesty’s Service.”
Dangerous goods as defined by law – If it needs special handling or labelling, it’s never allowed.
