Unusual mail prohibitions

[Kent Wang]

I send a lot of packages internationally and I often consult the USPS international mail manual. Many countries have some rather unusual items that are prohibited or restricted.

To begin, I will share a few from Great Britain and Northern Ireland (why isn't it called United Kingdom in the manual?).

Horror comics and matrices.
Seal skins except those from an accepted source.

 

[robin]

Originally Posted by Kent Wang

(why isn't it called United Kingdom in the manual?).
The manual probably hasn't been updated since the 1950's.

 

[Biscotti]

WTF Albania?

Extravagant clothes and other articles contrary to Albanians' taste

Photographic films, including plates and paper intended for photography

Used articles.

 

[HEWSINATOR]

Originally Posted by robin

The manual probably hasn't been updated since the 1950's.

Originally Posted by Biscotti

WTF Albania?

Extravagant clothes and other articles contrary to Albanians' taste

Photographic films, including plates and paper intended for photography

Used articles.

Refer to the first quote for an explanation of that one, I would imagine. I doubt non-communist Albania has problems with this.

 

[Kent Wang]

The manual is certainly up to date, at least so far as the prices are. The last update was about a year ago. Though it's possible that the countries haven't updated their prohibitions and restrictions.

 

[Kent Wang]

Malaysia:

Circulars or advertisements containing amulets, charms or talismans.
Harpoons and spear guns used for undersea fishing.

 

[robertorex]

Philippines:
Coffee in any form. But we can export cat **** coffee to the rest of the world.

Turkmenistan:

Printed materials, plates, negatives, developed films, photographs, movies, video recordings, magnetic computer information storage media, manuscripts, records and other sound recordings, drawings and other printed materials, and forms of plastic art politically or economically damaging to Turkmenistan.

Zimbabwe:

Articles made in prisons.

Coins; bank notes; currency notes (paper money); securities of any kind payable to bearer; traveler’s checks; platinum, gold, and silver (manufactured or not); precious stones; jewelry; and other valuable articles are prohibited in all classes of mail, including Express Mail International shipments, that are mailed to Zimbabwe.

Honey.

 

[robin]

Originally Posted by robertorex

Honey.
There is actually an international black market for honey, as well as an illegal practice called "honey laundering" via transhipping. No joke.

 

[robertorex]

interesting. i needed a paper topic for my international econ class...

 

[Kent Wang]

Denmark:

Almanacs (except for single copies) that do not bear the University almanac stamp.
Fine-cut tobacco in small packages to which cigarette papers are attached.

 

[larsrindsig]

Originally Posted by Kent Wang

Denmark:

Almanacs (except for single copies) that do not bear the University almanac stamp.
Fine-cut tobacco in small packages to which cigarette papers are attached.

Ah. The USPS mail code IS outdated; Copenhagen University's monopoly on almanacs was revoked in 1976.

 

[robertorex]

Albania: Extravagant clothes and other articles contrary to Albanians’ taste. <- No albanian sfers

 

[Lostinthesupermarket]

Originally Posted by robin

There is actually an international black market for honey, as well as an illegal practice called "honey laundering" via transhipping. No joke.

Any idea why?

 

[SwedishFish]

Originally Posted by Lostinthesupermarket

Any idea why?

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/394053_honey30.asp

 

[Aperipan]

Originally Posted by SwedishFish

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/394053_honey30.asp

Interesting story. Thanks for the link.