Classification and Precautions of Prohibited Items in Air Cargo

With its high efficiency and speed, air transport has become an important choice for B2B companies and e-commerce sellers for cross-border transportation. However, the Prohibited Items problem involved in the air transport process has made many merchants tread on thin ice when shipping. If you are not careful, the goods may face seizure, fines or even legal disputes, resulting in business obstruction and customer loss.

As a service provider who has been deeply involved in the field of international logistics for many years, ChinaDivision is well aware of the pain points of merchants. Today, we will combine the Dangerous Goods Regulations (Dangerous Goods Transportation Regulations) and the Air Cargo Regulations (Air Cargo Transportation Regulations) to analyze the classification of prohibited items in air transport, common compliance pain points, and provide feasible solutions to help you avoid risks and ensure the smooth flow of the supply chain.

Classification of Prohibited Items in Air Transport: Which goods are absolutely not allowed on the plane?

According to the regulations of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the aviation authorities of various countries, prohibited items for air transport are mainly divided into the following categories:

1. Dangerous Goods

Dangerous Goods are the "number one enemy" among prohibited items for air transport, including but not limited to:

Explosives: fireworks, firecrackers, detonators, etc.;

Flammable gases: lighters, aerosols, liquefied petroleum gas, etc.;

Flammable liquids: alcohol, paint, perfume (alcohol content exceeds 24%), etc.;

Corrosive substances: strong acids, strong alkalis, mercury compounds, etc.;

Radioactive substances: medical radioisotopes, industrial radioactive materials, etc.;

Toxic substances: pesticides, insecticides, chemical reagents, etc.

Additional restrictions in some countries: such as electronic products containing lithium batteries (uncertified), magnetic materials (may interfere with navigation systems), etc.

2. Aviation Controlled Items

Weapons and Ammunition: Guns, Ammunition, Imitation Weapons, etc.;

Controlled Knives: Daggers, Triangular Scrapers, Switchblades, etc.;

Precursor Chemicals: Ephedrine, Acetic Anhydride, Acetone, etc. (Commonly used in medicines or chemical raw materials, but require special permission).

3. Biological and Animal and Plant Products

Live Animals (Allowed by some airlines, but must be declared in advance and meet quarantine requirements);

Endangered Animal and Plant Products: Ivory, Rhino Horn, Alligator Leather Products, etc. (Protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora CITES);

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables, Meat: May carry pests and diseases, and must comply with the quarantine standards of the importing country.

If transporting animal and plant products from legal sources, it is necessary to attach documents such as the certificate of origin and quarantine certificate, and assist in handling customs clearance documents.

4. Other common prohibited items

Cash and precious metals: To prevent money laundering, airlines usually prohibit the transportation of large amounts of cash or undeclared precious metals;

Electronic products (partially restricted): Electronic products containing lithium batteries (such as mobile phones and laptops) must comply with the UN38.3 test standard, and the weight of a single piece must not exceed the specified limit;

Magnetic items: Strong magnetic materials may interfere with the aircraft navigation system, and magnetic testing and declaration are required.

Conditional transport items

Lithium batteries: Must comply with UN38.3 certification, MSDS documents and specific packaging standards (such as IATA PI965-PI970).

Liquids/powders: Single piece capacity limit (usually ≤100ml), leak-proof packaging and declaration are required.

Animal and plant products: Quarantine certificate required (such as wooden packaging requires IPPC mark).

Special restricted categories

High-value goods (such as artworks, jewelry): Additional insurance and security measures are required.

Medical supplies/pharmaceuticals: Cold chain transportation and import country license documents are required.

Precautions and solutions when shipping goods by air

To avoid complications and ensure compliance with air cargo regulations, please consider the following precautions and solutions:

Verify item status

Before shipping, please confirm whether the item is a prohibited or restricted item. You can confirm this by checking the regulations of the destination country/region and the specific guidelines of the carrier. 

Choose other modes of transportation

For prohibited items, consider using other modes of transportation, such as sea transportation, which may have less stringent restrictions.

Comply with packaging and labeling requirements

Ensure that all packaging is properly labeled and meets the necessary safety standards. This includes using leak-proof containers and clear hazard signs.

Consult professional logistics providers

Work with professional logistics providers such as Chinadivision to deal with complex air transportation regulations.

Hot pain points and solutions for prohibited items in air transportation

The composition of the goods is complex, how to determine whether it is a prohibited item?

Provide a detailed composition analysis table of the goods (such as MSDS material safety data sheet), we can assist in comparing the IATA dangerous goods list; contact us through Chinadivision official website, email or customer service hotline, and the professional team will give a clear reply within 24 hours.

What are the restrictions on air transportation of cosmetics/skin care products?

Liquid single bottle ≤ 100ml, total weight ≤ 2L/box; alcohol ingredients must be marked with concentration, and some countries require ingredient safety certificates.

The transportation cost of dangerous goods is high, is there a more economical alternative?

For some dangerous goods, we can provide a combination of "air + sea" to reduce costs while ensuring timeliness; reduce volume and weight through professional packaging, and reduce freight expenses.

How to deal with the sudden update of the embargo policy by the destination country?

Real-time policy updates, Chinadivision maintains close contact with many airlines and customs around the world to obtain policy change information as soon as possible; if the goods are blocked, we can assist in rerouting other routes, applying for temporary permits or providing return/destruction services.

Compliance transportation starts with choosing a professional service provider!

Faced with the many restrictions on air transport embargoes, B2B companies and e-commerce sellers need not only a "pitfall avoidance guide", but also a trustworthy partner. How can ChinaDivision support you?

Professional team: familiar with IATA, ICAO and aviation regulations of various countries, providing one-stop service from classification, packaging to declaration;

Global network: covering 200+ countries and regions, establishing long-term cooperative relations with mainstream airlines and customs;

Customized solutions: tailor-made transportation solutions according to cargo characteristics, timeliness requirements and cost budget;

Risk guarantee: provide cargo insurance services to minimize transportation risks.

Multimodal transport: diversified air transport routes combined with sea, rail and truck transportation methods to achieve flexible logistics.

Act now and let ChinaDivision escort your cross-border transportation!

By clarifying the classification of prohibited goods, directly addressing compliance pain points and providing practical solutions, this article aims to help companies reduce air transport risks and improve international logistics efficiency. Need help with air transport compliance? Let ChinaDivision's experts handle air transport logistics for you from beginning to end. From restricted item assessment to packaging and customs clearance, we provide complete solutions to meet B2B and e-commerce needs.