When sending items in the post, you’ll typically slap a stamp on something and send it on its way. However, couriers will often have exemptions in place that exclude certain items from being delivered.
To help you understand what you can and can’t send, we’ve put together this article explaining what courier exemptions are, and which ones to look out for.
Courier exemptions explained
Couriers typically provide examples of weight limits or restrictions on parcel size, but aren’t always as clear on what can and can’t be sent.
Courier exemptions are specific to the courier you choose, and depending on what they specialise in, they’ll be more open or opposed to certain deliveries.
It’s always best to double-check with your courier on what they do and don’t allow, as this will differ depending on your service provider.
For example, some couriers are able to cater to more specific business needs or bulk deliveries, as opposed to, say, Royal Mail.
Once you’ve established whether you can or can’t send your post, you can move onto the important stuff, like delivery times. You can find a same day courier Cardiff, for instance, by searching online for firms such as https://allaboutfreight.co.uk/same-day-courier/cardiff/.
What can’t I send?
We can’t cover every single thing that can’t be sent, but luckily, the Royal Mail website has a comprehensive guide that also covers most couriers’ services.
A lot of the time, you can use common sense. Of course, illegal items will be refused, as will anything hazardous – such as corrosives or flammable liquids and solids.
Sending live creatures or swarms of insects in parcels isn’t a great idea to begin with, and will mostly be refused by couriers. Of course, transferring animals and insects is essential to some industries, which is why certain couriers will cater to these deliveries.
This isn’t exclusive to pet industries, either – you can find a specialised courier for all sorts of things that may be exempt from other courier services.
Some services may refuse precious items, such as jewellery, as replacements are difficult. It might be easier and safer to deliver these yourself.