Is Your Cargo Prohibited from Transportation? A Comprehensive List of Prohibited and Restricted Items for Air and Sea Freight

I. Preface: The “Lifeline” of Global Transportation – Control of Prohibited and Restricted Items

Globally, there are over 2,000 transportation accidents caused by illegal transportation of prohibited and restricted items each year, resulting in direct economic losses exceeding USD 5 billion. According to 2024 data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), there were 47 fire incidents in air cargo caused by undeclared prohibited items such as lithium batteries and flammable liquids, with each incident causing an average flight delay of over 12 hours. A simultaneous report by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) also pointed out that undeclared explosives, corrosive substances, and other hazardous materials in sea freight containers have become high-frequency risk points in port security inspections.

The core difference between prohibited items and restricted items lies in “transport feasibility”: Prohibited items are explicitly banned from transportation by global or regional regulations, with no possibility of compliant transportation; Restricted items, on the other hand, can only be transported if specific conditions (such as packaging, declaration, and qualifications) are met, making compliant control a key priority. Based on the IATA DGR (Dangerous Goods Regulations), IMDG Code (International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code), and special regulations of various countries, this article establishes a system of prohibited and restricted item lists for air and sea freight scenarios, while providing a compliant transportation judgment tool to help enterprises quickly identify cargo transportation risks.

II. Air Freight: Prohibited and Restricted Item Lists for High-Risk Scenarios

Due to the enclosed cabin environment and high difficulty of emergency response, air freight imposes the strictest controls on prohibited and restricted items. The classification of these lists must consider both “item nature” and “transport impact.”

1. Absolute Prohibited Items for Air Freight (No Transportation Possible)

Regardless of quantity or packaging method, these items are prohibited from air transportation. Detection will result in cargo detention, corporate fines, and even criminal liability:

• Explosives:
• Core Categories: Military or civilian explosive devices such as detonators, explosives, grenades, and landmines; items containing explosive components like nitroglycerin and black powder (e.g., fireworks, firecrackers);
• Typical Case: In 2024, an enterprise attempted to air transport “salute fireworks” disguised as “holiday decorations.” X-ray inspection at the airport detected black powder components, leading to cargo confiscation. The enterprise was added to the air cargo blacklist and banned from air freight services for one year.
• Highly Toxic Chemicals:
• Core Categories: Cyanides (e.g., potassium cyanide, sodium cyanide), arsenides (e.g., arsenic trioxide), botulinum toxin, and items listed in the UN “Highly Toxic Substances List”;
• Regulatory Basis: IATA DGR explicitly classifies highly toxic chemicals as “toxic substances” under “Class 6.1 Dangerous Goods” and marks them with the “Prohibited for Air Transport” identifier (Code P001).
• Radioactive Substances:
• Core Categories: Uranium, plutonium, and other radioactive element products without special approval; substances with radioactive activity exceeding 74GBq (e.g., certain medical radioisotopes);
• Exception: Only “low-radioactivity medical supplies” (e.g., radioactive drugs) approved by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) can be transported via dedicated cargo flights, but the airline must receive the “Radioactive Substance Transport Permit” 30 days in advance.
• Controlled Weapons:
• Core Categories: Firearms (including replicas), ammunition, controlled knives (blade length over 15cm), crossbows, and items modifiable into weapons (e.g., firearm parts, gunpowder-powered nail guns);
• Regional Special Requirements: Regions such as the US and EU allow law enforcement agencies to transport official firearms, but an “International Weapons Transport Permit” is required, and only specific security flights are permitted.

2. Restricted Items for Air Freight (Transport Permitted Only Under Specific Conditions)

These items require “compliant packaging + declaration filing + qualification verification” – all three are indispensable. Common categories and requirements are as follows:

• Lithium Batteries and Lithium Battery-Powered Equipment:
• Restrictions:

1. Standalone lithium batteries (UN3090/UN3480): Only “limited quantities” (gross weight per shipment ≤ 30kg) can be transported via cargo flights, with the “Lithium Batteries for Cargo Aircraft Only” label affixed;
2. Lithium battery-powered equipment (e.g., laptops, mobile phones): Equipment must be powered off, batteries cannot be disassembled, and the number of devices per package ≤ 10;

• Compliance Documents: UN38.3 test report and dangerous goods declaration form are required; packaging must pass the 1.2m drop test.
• Flammable Liquids:
• Restricted Categories: Alcohol (volume concentration > 70%), paint, gasoline, nail polish, and other liquids with flash points < 60℃;
• Transport Conditions:

1. Use “leak-proof packaging” (e.g., metal cans with sealed lids), with a capacity of ≤ 5L per package;
2. Total weight per shipment ≤ 50kg, and separate loading from other cargo is required;
3. Submit the “Flammable Liquid Transport Safety Commitment Letter” specifying emergency response measures.

• Corrosive Substances:
• Restricted Categories: Sulfuric acid (concentration > 50%), sodium hydroxide (solid or high-concentration solution), hydrochloric acid, etc.;
• Packaging Requirements: Use corrosion-resistant materials (e.g., polyethylene containers); affix the “Corrosive Substance” label (LABEL 8) on the package exterior, and mark the “This Side Up” orientation;
• Transport Restrictions: Transport is only permitted via all-cargo aircraft; co-loading with food, pharmaceuticals, and other items is prohibited.
• Medical Supplies:
• Restricted Categories: Alcohol-based disinfectant wipes (alcohol content > 70%), vaccines (requiring cold chain transport), syringes (with needles);
• Special Requirements:

1. Disinfectant wipes: ≤ 100 wipes per pack, ≤ 100 packs per shipment; packaging must be labeled with “Flammable Component” warning;
2. Vaccines: Use temperature-controlled containers (-20℃ to 8℃) and provide the “Cold Chain Transport Temperature Record Commitment Letter”;
3. Syringes: Needles must be removed or blunt-tip needles used; transport is only permitted with approval from health authorities.

3. Region-Specific Restricted Items for Air Freight

Some countries/regions impose additional restricted items for security or environmental protection purposes, requiring special attention:

• United States: Prohibits air transport of unapproved pharmaceuticals (by the FDA), meat-containing foods (e.g., preserved meat, sausages), and imposes a “nicotine content ≤ 20mg/mL” restriction on e-cigarette products;
• European Union: Prohibits air transport of packaging materials containing PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and chemicals non-compliant with EU REACH regulations;
• Middle East: Countries such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE prohibit air transport of pork products and alcoholic beverages (even for industrial use). Religious items (e.g., non-Islamic religious texts) require prior approval from the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

III. Sea Freight: Prohibited and Restricted Item Lists for Large-Space Scenarios

Due to its large transport space and comprehensive emergency measures, sea freight has a narrower scope of prohibited items than air freight. However, control requirements for restricted items focus more on “bulk compliance” and “environmental impact,” with list classification based on “international conventions” and “port regulations.”

1. Absolute Prohibited Items for Sea Freight (Globally Banned from Transport)

These items violate the IMDG Code and relevant international conventions, and are rejected by all ports. Key categories include:

• Undeclared Dangerous Goods:
• Core Scenarios: Disguising explosives or highly toxic chemicals as ordinary cargo (e.g., passing explosives off as “construction materials”) or concealing hazardous properties (e.g., failing to declare lithium batteries as “Class 9 Dangerous Goods”);
• Penalty Case: In 2024, an enterprise exported “industrial waste” to Europe. Rotterdam Port Customs detected high levels of cyanide, resulting in cargo return. The enterprise was liable for $200,000 in port handling fees and fines, and was added to the EU “Sea Freight Unreliable Enterprise List.”
• Endangered Species and Their Products:
• Core Categories: Products of species protected under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), such as ivory, rhinoceros horns, red coral, and red sandalwood;
• Exception: Only “scientific research samples” approved by the CITES Secretariat can be transported, requiring submission of the “Endangered Species Transport Permit” and separate declaration for each shipment.
• Polluting Substances:
• Core Categories: Untreated medical waste (e.g., blood-stained gauze, syringes), radioactive waste, and industrial wastewater containing organic pollutants (in unsealed state);
• Regulatory Basis: MARPOL (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships) explicitly prohibits sea transport of these substances. Violators face vessel detention and corporate criminal liability.

2. Restricted Items for Sea Freight (Compliance Requires Bulk and Port Conditions)

These items require “dangerous goods declaration + dedicated packaging + ship suitability verification.” Common categories and requirements are as follows:

• Bulk Liquid Chemicals:
• Restrictions:

1. Transport must use “IMO-type chemical tankers” with the “International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Bulk Chemicals”;
2. Cargo must comply with the “IBC Code” (International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk). For example, methanol and ethylene glycol must be transported as “low-toxicity chemicals”;
3. Submit the “Cargo Suitability Report” before loading to confirm compatibility between the cargo and the ship’s tank wall materials.

• Civil Explosives:
• Restricted Categories: Fireworks, industrial explosives (e.g., ammonium nitrate fuel oil explosives);
• Transport Requirements:

1. Use “explosion-proof packaging” (e.g., steel containers), with a gross weight of ≤ 50kg per package; packages must be stored separately in the ship’s “dedicated dangerous goods hold”;
2. Submit the “Explosives Transport Filing Form” to maritime authorities 72 hours in advance, specifying cargo name, quantity, and emergency measures;
3. Transport routes must avoid densely populated ports and coastal areas.

• Large Machinery (Including Hazardous Components):
• Restricted Categories: Construction machinery with lithium batteries (e.g., electric forklifts), heavy machinery with flammable hydraulic oil;
• Compliance Requirements:

1. Lithium batteries in equipment must be removed or set to “sleep mode”; hydraulic oil must be drained or sealed;
2. Submit detailed equipment weight and dimension specifications to confirm the ship’s deck load capacity (typically requiring ≤ 20 tons/m²);
3. Clearly mark “Contains Hazardous Components” on the equipment, specifying component type and emergency contact information.

• Food and Agricultural Products:
• Restrictions:

1. Perishable foods (e.g., fruits, meat): Use refrigerated containers (temperature controlled at 0℃-4℃) and provide the “Food Hygiene Certificate”;
2. Meat/egg-containing foods: Export to the EU, US, and other regions requires submission of the “Animal Quarantine Certificate” and compliance with the importing country’s “food safety access standards” (e.g., US FSIS certification);

• Regional Special Requirements: Australia and New Zealand prohibit import of unquarantined fresh fruits. An “Import Permit” must be applied for from local agricultural authorities 6 months in advance, and fumigation treatment is required at designated ports.

3. Port-Specific Restricted Items for Sea Freight

Different ports impose special restrictions based on geographical location and industrial characteristics. Confirmation with port agents in advance is required:

• Shanghai Port (China): Implements “import permit + environmental assessment” dual control for imported solid waste (e.g., waste plastic, waste paper). Unloading is only permitted at designated terminals such as Yangshan Port and Waigaoqiao Port;
• Singapore Port: Prohibits transport of unapproved bulk crude oil (requiring the “Crude Oil Transport Permit” issued by Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority). The storage time for dangerous goods containers is limited to 72 hours;
• Rotterdam Port (Netherlands): Requires a “heavy metal content test report” for cargo containing heavy metals (e.g., lead-acid batteries). Cargo must be transported to designated treatment facilities within 24 hours of unloading and cannot be stored at the port.

IV. Compliance Judgment Tool for Prohibited and Restricted Items

Enterprises can quickly identify cargo transport attributes and avoid violations through the “Three-Step Judgment Method”:

1. Step 1: Check the “Global Universal List”

• Core Tools:
• Air Freight: IATA DGR Dangerous Goods List (updated annually). Query whether an item is prohibited/restricted via the IATA official website;
• Sea Freight: IMDG Code Dangerous Goods List. Enter the cargo name or HS code on the IMO official website to obtain transport attributes and requirements;
• Operation Case: An enterprise planning to transport “alcohol-based disinfectant gel” checked the IATA DGR and found that gel with alcohol content > 70% is a “restricted item for air freight” requiring flammable liquid control. The IMDG Code query showed sea transport is permitted but requires leak-proof packaging.

2. Step 2: Verify “Regional Special Regulations”

• Query Channels:
• Importing Country Customs Websites: “Import Cargo Restriction Lists” on websites such as US CBP and EU EU Customs;
• Industry Association Guidelines: “Cross-Border Cargo Transport Compliance Guide” issued by the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing;
• Key Focus Areas: Whether special permits (e.g., import permits, quarantine certificates) are required; whether regional special packaging requirements apply (e.g., EU CE certification, US FDA certification).

3. Step 3: Conduct “Professional Testing and Declaration”

• Testing Requirements:
• Suspected Dangerous Goods: Entrust third-party testing institutions (e.g., SGS, Intertek) to conduct “dangerous goods classification testing” and issue the “Cargo Hazard Identification Report”;
• Restricted Items: Conduct UN38.3 testing for lithium batteries, flash point testing for flammable liquids;
• Declaration Standards:
• Truthfully fill in cargo name, quantity, and attributes; no concealment (e.g., “lithium batteries” cannot be declared as “electronic product accessories”);
• Submit complete compliance documents (e.g., dangerous goods declaration form, test report, permit certificate) to ensure consistency between documents and cargo information.

V. Consequences of Illegal Transport and Risk Mitigation Recommendations

1. Typical Consequences of Illegal Transport

• Financial Penalties: Air freight violations typically result in fines of \(1,000-\)100,000; sea freight violation fines can reach 2-5 times the cargo value;
• Cargo Disposal: Prohibited items are directly confiscated and destroyed; restricted items require rectification before re-declaration (rectification cycle is usually 1-2 weeks, incurring additional storage and transport costs);
• Corporate Credit Impact: Addition to transport blacklists, 1-3 year bans on air/sea freight services, and negative impacts on corporate import-export credit ratings (e.g., China Customs AEO certification).

2. Core Risk Mitigation Recommendations

• Establish Internal Audit Mechanisms: Set up a “Cargo Transport Compliance Position” to review the attributes of each shipment and retain audit records (for at least 3 years);
• Cooperate with Professional Freight Forwarders: Prioritize cooperation with freight forwarders holding “dangerous goods transport qualifications” (e.g., air freight forwarders with IATA dangerous goods agent qualification, sea freight forwarders with IMDG Code certification);
• Purchase Transport Insurance: For restricted item transport, purchase “dangerous goods transport special insurance” to cover risks such as cargo loss and fines caused by compliance issues.

VI. Conclusion: Compliance is the “Bottom Line” for Transport Safety

Control of prohibited and restricted items is not only a requirement of international regulations but also the core of ensuring transport safety and corporate reputation. Enterprises must abandon the “luck mindset” and establish a full-process compliance system covering “pre-transport audit, in-transit control, and post-transport traceability.” By querying lists, verifying filings, and conducting professional testing, enterprises can ensure legal and compliant cargo transport. In the context of global trade, compliance capability has become a core competitiveness for enterprises in cross-border transport. Only by upholding the compliance bottom line can enterprises achieve “safe, efficient, and low-cost” cargo transport.