Prohibited Items Policy
This is the single most important policy on the platform. A person is physically carrying what you declare — get it wrong and you put them at real risk.
Last updated: 30 July 2026
The core rule
You may only send items that are lawful to possess, lawful to transfer, lawfully yours to send, and safe for an ordinary person to carry in personal luggage. You must declare them honestly on every booking. If you are unsure whether something qualifies, do not send it — ask us first.
Why we are strict about this
A courier company employs trained staff operating under a carriage licence. CarryBuddies parcels are carried by ordinary people in their own bags, through stations and airports, on their own tickets. If your parcel contains something it shouldn't, it is they who get stopped, questioned and potentially arrested. That asymmetry is why misdeclaration is treated as seriously as it is.
Never permitted — under any circumstances
Weapons and munitions
- Firearms of any kind, and any component, part or accessory of a firearm;
- Ammunition, cartridges, primers, propellants;
- Knives, blades and bladed instruments carried as weapons; knuckle-dusters and similar;
- Air guns, pellet guns, stun guns, tasers and pepper spray;
- Replica or imitation firearms and weapons.
Explosives and dangerous goods
- Explosives, detonators, fireworks and pyrotechnics of any kind;
- Compressed gas cylinders, aerosols and pressurised containers;
- Petrol, kerosene, paint thinners, lighter fluid and other flammable liquids;
- Matches in bulk, lighters in bulk, and any self-igniting substance;
- Lithium batteries shipped loose or outside the equipment they belong to;
- Anything bearing a hazardous-goods classification.
Drugs and controlled substances
- Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in any quantity, whatever the claimed purpose;
- Cannabis and derivatives, regardless of local status elsewhere;
- Precursor chemicals used in the manufacture of controlled substances;
- Drug paraphernalia.
Hazardous and biological material
- Corrosive, toxic, oxidising or radioactive materials;
- Poisons, pesticides and industrial chemicals;
- Human or animal remains, body parts, organs or ashes;
- Biological samples, pathogens, blood products and clinical or medical waste.
Illegal, stolen and counterfeit goods
- Anything you do not lawfully own or have authority to send;
- Stolen property, or property you have reason to believe may be stolen;
- Counterfeit currency, counterfeit goods and pirated media;
- Forged documents, seals, stamps or certificates;
- Obscene material, and any material that is unlawful to possess or distribute;
- Wildlife, ivory, protected flora and fauna and their derivatives.
Money and bearer valuables
- Cash and currency notes in any amount;
- Gold, silver and other bullion;
- Loose precious stones and high-value jewellery;
- Bearer bonds, cheques payable to bearer and other negotiable instruments;
- Prepaid cards, gift cards and vouchers of significant value.
Living things
- Live animals, birds, reptiles, fish and insects — no exceptions;
- Live plants subject to quarantine restrictions.
Personal and restricted goods
- Alcohol and alcoholic beverages;
- Tobacco products, cigarettes, e-cigarettes and vaping devices or liquids;
- Passports, identity documents and financial instruments belonging to another person, other than as permitted under the restricted section below;
- Perishable food requiring refrigeration or a controlled temperature.
Restricted — permitted only with documentation
These may be sent, but only if the stated conditions are met and the traveller separately agrees to carry them.
Prescription medicines
Permitted only in original sealed packaging, accompanied by a valid prescription in the recipient's name uploaded to the booking, and in a quantity consistent with personal use. Controlled or scheduled drugs are never permitted, prescription or not.
Electronics with built-in batteries
Phones, laptops and tablets are permitted where the battery is installed in the device. Loose spare lithium batteries and power banks are not, and airline rules may restrict these further — travellers must comply with their operator's rules.
Personal documents
Certificates, contracts, academic records and similar are permitted. Passports and government identity documents belonging to a third party are permitted only where you can evidence authority to send them and the traveller expressly accepts.
Fragile and high-value items
Permitted where properly packaged and accurately declared. The traveller must be told the item is fragile before accepting. Parcel protection is not yet available, so a fragile or high-value item travels without cover beyond the escrowed payment — send it at your own risk.
Commonly sent, no issue
✓
Documents & paperworkContracts, certificates, files
✓
Clothing & footwearAny quantity within weight limits
✓
Books & stationeryPrinted material, supplies
✓
Phones & laptopsBattery installed in device
✓
Chargers & accessoriesCables, adapters, cases
✓
Keys & small essentialsHouse keys, spectacles, wallets
✓
Sealed packaged foodNon-perishable, shelf stable
✓
Gifts & homewareDeclared and properly packed
✓
Product samplesCommercial samples, catalogues
What happens if you break this policy
- Refusal at pickup. The traveller inspects the parcel and may refuse anything that doesn't match the declaration. The booking is cancelled at the sender's cost and the traveller is not penalised.
- Immediate suspension. Any confirmed misdeclaration suspends the sender's account pending review, and freezes any escrowed funds.
- Permanent ban. Where prohibited or unlawful items are involved, the account is permanently terminated and the individual is barred from re-registering.
- Record retention. We retain the verification record, the declaration, the booking, the OTP trail and the handover photographs for the periods set out in our Privacy Policy.
- Cooperation with authorities. Where we are legally required to do so, or where a valid request is made through lawful process, we disclose those records to law enforcement and regulators.
- Liability and indemnity. Under our Terms of Service, the sender indemnifies CarryBuddies and the traveller against losses, penalties and legal costs arising from a false declaration.
If you're a traveller
You are the last line of defence, and you are also the person most exposed. Protect yourself:
- Always inspect before sealing. This is your right on every booking. A sender who refuses inspection is a sender you decline.
- Match it to the declaration. Not just the category — the actual contents, weight and count.
- Refuse without hesitation. Declining a parcel never affects your trust score. Carrying something you're unsure about might affect a great deal more.
- Never carry off-platform. No booking means no declaration, no manifest and nothing to show if you're questioned.
- Never accept a sealed parcel you weren't allowed to see. "It's just documents, don't worry about it" is the exact sentence to walk away from.
- Know your operator's rules. Airline, railway and bus restrictions apply to you personally, independently of this policy.
If you are stopped or questioned
Cooperate fully with the authorities. Every shipment carries a digital manifest in the app — the sender's verified identity, their signed declaration, the booking record and the OTP trail — which you can produce on the spot. Contact safety@carrybuddies.com as soon as you are able so we can preserve and provide the full record.
Reporting a suspicious parcel
Use the report button on the shipment screen, or email safety@carrybuddies.com. Reports are reviewed by our safety team and reporting never counts against you, even if the concern turns out to be nothing.
If you believe a crime is in progress or that anyone is in immediate danger, call the police on 112 first, then report it to us.
Not sure about an item? Ask before you book: support@carrybuddies.com. We would far rather answer a question than handle an incident.