📍 4775 Walker Rd Unit-17, Windsor, ON Any questions? CALL 548-332-8090
Home / Item Restrictions

What Can I Ship?

A quick guide to commonly restricted and prohibited items by carrier — especially batteries. When in doubt, ask us; we'll pick a carrier that accepts your item.

⚠️ This is a general guide, not a complete legal list. Rules change and depend on the exact contents, destination, and service level. Final acceptance is always at the carrier's discretion. Please confirm with FY Express staff before shipping — we'll make sure your shipment is compliant.
🔋 Batteries ⛔ Always prohibited Canada Post UPS FedEx Purolator DHL Sources

🔋 Batteries Read first

Batteries — especially lithium (lithium-ion and lithium-metal) — are classed as dangerous goods. Rules are strict and vary by carrier and by how the battery ships.

  • Installed in a device (phone, laptop, toy, power tool): usually accepted, often with limits and sometimes labelling.
  • Packed with a device but separate, or loose / standalone batteries and power banks: heavily restricted, and prohibited on many services — particularly by air.
  • On our site, if you check "contains batteries" for an international shipment, we automatically remove Canada Post from your options, because Canada Post restricts many outbound battery shipments. You'll still see the carriers that can handle them.
  • Always tell us the battery type and whether it's installed — we'll choose a compliant service and handle any required declaration.

⛔ Generally prohibited by all carriers

  • Explosives, fireworks, ammunition and weapons
  • Compressed gases and aerosols (e.g. spray cans, propane, lighters/butane)
  • Flammable liquids and solids (fuel, paint thinner, certain nail products)
  • Corrosives, oxidizers, poisons and toxic/infectious substances
  • Radioactive materials
  • Cannabis and illegal drugs
  • Cash, currency and negotiable items
  • Counterfeit goods, ivory and protected wildlife products
  • Perishable or temperature-sensitive goods (varies by carrier/service)

Canada Post

  • Won't accept dangerous goods except lithium batteries, which are allowed only under strict conditions.
  • Lithium batteries can be shipped only within Canada and to the U.S.A. (not outbound to other countries); battery/cell terminals must be insulated (taped or bagged) to prevent short-circuit.
  • Shipments to the U.S. require a fully completed customs declaration.
  • To keep things simple and compliant, FY Express routes international battery shipments to other carriers — so Canada Post is hidden on international quotes when you check "contains batteries."
  • Best for everyday parcels, documents and small packets.

UPS

  • Many batteries are regulated as hazardous materials; ship lithium batteries installed in or packed with their equipment where possible.
  • Damaged, defective or recalled (DDR) lithium batteries are prohibited from and within Canada on all service levels — alone or with equipment. Never ship recalled/recycled batteries by air.
  • Dangerous goods needing shipping papers (and firearms/ammunition) cannot be dropped at UPS Access Points or third-party retailers.
  • Standard prohibited list applies (weapons, illegal drugs, cash, hazmat without a contract). UPS DG support: 1-800-509-0953.

FedEx

  • Lithium batteries are dangerous goods. Smaller consumer cells/batteries (roughly: lithium-ion under 100 Wh, lithium-metal under 2 g) ship most easily; larger ones face stricter packaging, marking and service limits.
  • Damaged, defective, waste or for-recycling/disposal batteries are prohibited from transport.
  • Some countries prohibit import/export of lithium-ion (UN 3480) or lithium-metal (UN 3090) batteries shipped on their own.
  • Strong international network; full dangerous-goods declaration may be required.

Purolator

  • Lithium batteries (loose or inside phones, laptops, cameras, tools, etc.) are treated as dangerous goods.
  • Defective, damaged, recalled or recycled lithium batteries are never allowed by air; if a device contains a damaged/defective battery, the battery must be removed before Purolator will accept it.
  • Common dangerous goods to watch for: perfumes, nail polish & remover, aerosols, butane/lighters, gasoline, matches, car batteries, fireworks, solvents, dry ice.
  • Prohibited goods include animals, currency, firearms and drugs (see Purolator's Terms & Conditions). Great for Canadian domestic ground and express.

DHL

  • Lithium batteries are a restricted commodity (dangerous goods under IATA); type and quantity per shipment are regulated.
  • Individual/loose batteries, and batteries packed-with-but-not-installed-in equipment, are prohibited on several DHL networks; any swelling, corroding or leaking battery is not accepted.
  • Tobacco products and alcoholic beverages are prohibited on many DHL services, and prohibited-item lists vary by destination country.
  • International contents require full customs paperwork — we'll prepare it with you.

Sources & full policies

Summarised from the carriers' own pages (verified June 2026). Always check the official policy for your exact item and destination:

📦 Back to Shipping Quote