What You Can and Can't Ship Internationally: A Simple Guide

What You Can and Can't Ship Internationally: A Simple Guide

One question worth asking before you fill up your cart is simple: will this item actually be allowed to ship to my country? Most everyday purchases ship without any issue at all, but a few categories are restricted almost everywhere, and a few more depend on your specific destination country. Here is a clear, honest breakdown.

Items That Are Almost Always Fine

• Clothing, shoes, and fashion accessories
• Electronics (phones, laptops, headphones, cameras)
• Books, toys, and most household goods
• Cosmetics and skincare (non-aerosol, reasonable quantities)
• Auto parts and tools

The vast majority of what people shop for from German stores falls into these categories and ships without any special steps.

Items That Need Extra Care or May Be Restricted

• Liquids and aerosols — perfumes, sprays, and pressurized containers are restricted by most air couriers, and some may be refused entirely.
• Batteries — lithium batteries shipped on their own (not inside a device) often need special handling or may be refused by air freight.
• Food items — some countries allow sealed, commercially packaged food; others restrict it heavily, especially dairy, meat, or anything perishable.
• Medication and supplements — rules vary enormously by country; some require a prescription or import permit even for over-the-counter products.
• Alcohol and tobacco — usually restricted or taxed heavily, and many couriers won't carry them at all.
• Weapons, replicas, and anything resembling a weapon — almost universally restricted or outright banned from international shipping.

Items That Are Universally Prohibited

Regardless of destination, these are never shippable through any legitimate forwarding or courier service: illegal drugs and narcotics, counterfeit goods, hazardous or flammable materials outside of normal consumer packaging, and anything illegal to possess in either Germany or your destination country.

Why Destination Country Matters So Much

This is the part people are often surprised by: a completely normal, legal product in Germany can still be restricted the moment it crosses into your country. Every country sets its own import rules — some restrict certain electronics, some are strict about food or supplements, some cap how much of a category you can bring in without extra paperwork. When in doubt about a specific item, it is always worth a quick check of your own country's customs website, or asking our support team before you buy.

What Happens If an Item Gets Flagged?

If customs flags a package, it is usually held for review rather than destroyed outright. Depending on the item and country, this can mean extra paperwork, an import duty payment, or in rarer cases, the item being returned or refused. This is uncommon for normal everyday purchases — it mostly applies to the restricted categories above.

When Unsure, Just Ask

If you are ever unsure whether something is safe to ship, reach out to our support team before you buy. A quick question before checkout is always easier than a surprise after your package has already left the warehouse.

Shop with Confidence

The good news is that the overwhelming majority of what people shop for — clothes, electronics, books, auto parts, beauty products — ships completely normally with no issues at all. Get your free German address and start shopping with confidence.