What can't be shipped from China? Prohibited, restricted and sensitive items
Before you buy from Taobao or other Chinese stores, see which items are general goods, which sensitive items (batteries, liquids, powders) need special routes, which can never be shipped, and why shipping must meet both China's export controls and your country's import rules.
Reviewed: · ChinaCarty LLC
| Group | Common examples | Shipping |
|---|---|---|
| General goods | Clothing, shoes, ordinary plastic items, paper books, unbranded everyday items | Accepted by most economy couriers and standard lines |
| Sensitive goods | Items with built-in batteries (such as earphones or small fans), liquids, cream cosmetics, powders, branded goods, food | Need dedicated sensitive-goods routes; may cost more and take longer; some destinations or routes do not accept them |
| Not accepted | Flammable or explosive items, standalone batteries, power banks, prohibited drugs, weapons and knives, tobacco, counterfeit or infringing goods | Cannot be shipped; ChinaCarty does not buy these items |
This table follows the site's shipping policy and is a general grouping only. Whether a specific item can ship depends on its ingredients, battery type, packaging, destination rules and the routes available at the time. Staff confirm this before purchase, and shipping is quoted after warehouse measurement.
Available in China does not mean it can ship abroad
An item must meet three sets of rules to ship internationally: Chinese export rules, the carrier route's acceptance rules and the destination country's import rules. Many everyday Taobao items, such as power banks, perfume or snacks, are treated as dangerous, sensitive or controlled goods in international transport. That is why we check shipping eligibility before buying, rather than finding out after the item reaches the warehouse.
Sensitive goods: possible, but only on special routes
Electronics with built-in batteries, liquids, cream cosmetics, powders, food and branded goods usually cannot travel on ordinary routes and need a dedicated sensitive-goods route. These routes may cost more and take longer, and some destinations or routes do not accept them. Before buying, tell us the item's attributes, such as whether a battery is built in or separate, liquid volume or powder ingredients, so staff can confirm whether a route is available.
Items we never ship
ChinaCarty does not buy or ship flammable or explosive items, standalone batteries, power banks, prohibited drugs, weapons and knives, tobacco, or counterfeit and infringing goods. Alcohol-based liquids, including some perfumes, may be treated as flammable by carriers, so ask before buying. We also do not accept false product descriptions, under-declared values or split parcels intended to avoid regulations.
Both countries' laws apply: China's export controls and your country's import rules
Whether an item can ship depends on the laws of both China and the destination country; if either does not allow it, the item cannot be sent. On the Chinese side, export controls apply: some goods, such as strategic or other controlled materials and items, cannot be exported or need a licence, even if they are easy to buy in China. On the destination side, import bans and restrictions apply: some items are not accepted by the destination country (for example, some goods cannot enter the United States) or need extra permits or certification. These rules vary and change, and this page is general guidance only, not a substitute for official rules.
Check your own country's rules
You are responsible for checking whether your country allows an item before you order. Import restrictions differ by country and change over time. Many countries have extra requirements for food, plant and animal products, medicines and supplements, cosmetics, and electronics that need certification. We can tell you whether a route accepts an item, but we cannot decide whether your country allows it to be imported. Check your national customs authority's official website before ordering. Delays, returns or seizures caused by destination customs inspections are outside our control.
What happens if an item cannot ship
If staff find before purchase that an item is unavailable or cannot be shipped, we do not buy it and the item amount and the corresponding service fee are refunded. ChinaCarty is a buying agent only: items bought as you requested cannot be returned or refunded, so check both China's and your country's rules before ordering. If an item has already reached the warehouse when a route or the destination is found not to accept it, we contact you to discuss workable options, and any arrangement and costs are confirmed separately. Storage is free for 30 calendar days from warehouse receipt.
Read next
- Do you pay customs duties on orders from China? Duties, VAT/GST and declarations
Who pays duties and VAT/GST, and why declarations must be accurate.
- China parcel consolidation: buying agents, shipping weight and forwarders
Whether sensitive and general goods can share a parcel, and how volumetric weight works.
- How our China buying agent service works: 6 steps from link to delivery
Where shipping eligibility is checked in the buying process.
Checklist to include in your inquiry
- Product link and battery details: built-in or standalone battery.
- Volume and ingredients of liquids or creams; ingredients of powders and food.
- Whether the item is branded; destination country and postcode.
- Any import rules you have already checked with your customs authority.
Frequently asked questions
Can you ship a power bank from China?
No. Power banks and standalone batteries are items we do not ship. Electronics with built-in batteries, such as earphones or small fans, are sensitive goods that need a dedicated route and are checked item by item.
Can perfume and cosmetics be shipped?
Ask first. Liquids and cream cosmetics are sensitive goods that need special routes, and alcohol-based perfume may be treated as flammable and refused by carriers. Send us the link, ingredients and volume before buying.
Can you buy replica or copy branded items?
No. Counterfeit and infringing goods are never accepted. Genuine branded goods are also treated as sensitive and may need a special route; a basic warehouse check is not authentication.
Can you use a different product name or declare a lower value?
No. We do not accept false descriptions, under-declared values or split parcels intended to avoid regulations. Product names, quantities, use, brand and sensitive attributes must be declared accurately.
Why might an item I can buy in China still be blocked from export?
China applies export controls: some goods, such as strategic or other controlled materials and items, cannot be exported or need a licence, regardless of whether they are sold domestically. The item must also meet your country's import rules; it ships only if both allow it.
How do I know if my country allows an item?
Check your national customs authority's official website. We can confirm whether a route accepts the item, but we cannot decide whether your country allows the import, and customs inspections and decisions are outside our control.
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