EMS (Express Mail Service)
postal-express
international
30 kg
150 longest side, 300 length + girth (varies by operator)
190+ countries via postal network (UPU EMS Cooperative)
Generally prohibited items
These items cannot be shipped via EMS (Express Mail Service) regardless of destination.
- Ammunition and weapons
- Controlled substances
- Counterfeit goods
- Dangerous goods not meeting postal requirements
- Explosives
- Live animals
- Perishable biological substances (Class 6.2)
Restricted items (require declaration)
These items can be shipped but require special declaration, permits, or packaging.
- Lithium batteries (varies by origin country postal operator)
- Medicines (personal use with prescription)
- Perishable foods (select corridors)
- Valuables (insurance recommended)
Prohibited by destination
Items prohibited by EMS (Express Mail Service) for specific destinations.
| Destination | Prohibited Items |
|---|---|
| china | Political publications, Maps showing Taiwan as separate country |
| japan | Stimulant drugs, Cannabis products |
| south-korea | Products from sanctioned countries |
| australia | Raw meat / dairy from unapproved-origin countries, Fresh fruit + vegetables, Untreated wood / plant material, Bee products (honey) from non-approved origins |
| new-zealand | Raw meat / dairy from unapproved-origin countries, Fresh fruit + vegetables, Untreated wood / plant material, Bee products (honey) from non-approved origins |
| thailand | E-cigarettes + vape pods + e-liquid, Cannabis-derived products + CBD oil, Poppy seeds + papaver-derived products |
| singapore | E-cigarettes + vape pods + e-liquid, Cannabis-derived products + CBD oil, Poppy seeds + papaver-derived products, Chewing gum (except therapeutic) |
| malaysia | Cannabis-derived products + CBD oil, Poppy seeds + papaver-derived products |
| indonesia | Cannabis-derived products + CBD oil, Poppy seeds + papaver-derived products |
| philippines | Cannabis-derived products + CBD oil, Poppy seeds + papaver-derived products |
| vietnam | E-cigarettes + vape pods + e-liquid, Cannabis-derived products + CBD oil, Poppy seeds + papaver-derived products |
| india | E-cigarettes + vape pods + e-liquid, Cannabis-derived products + CBD oil, Poppy seeds + papaver-derived products, Drone components without DGCA approval |
| hong-kong | E-cigarettes + vape pods + e-liquid |
| taiwan | E-cigarettes + vape pods + e-liquid, Cannabis-derived products + CBD oil, Poppy seeds + papaver-derived products |
| uae | Alcohol of any kind, Pork products + pork derivatives (gelatine, lard), Materials offensive to Islamic values, Israeli-origin products (residual boycott in some GCC + Iran/Iraq), Cannabis-derived products + CBD oil, Poppy seeds + papaver-derived products |
| saudi-arabia | Alcohol of any kind, Pork products + pork derivatives (gelatine, lard), Materials offensive to Islamic values, Israeli-origin products (residual boycott in some GCC + Iran/Iraq), Cannabis-derived products + CBD oil, Poppy seeds + papaver-derived products |
| qatar | Alcohol of any kind, Pork products + pork derivatives (gelatine, lard), Materials offensive to Islamic values, Israeli-origin products (residual boycott in some GCC + Iran/Iraq), Cannabis-derived products + CBD oil, Poppy seeds + papaver-derived products |
| kuwait | Alcohol of any kind, Pork products + pork derivatives (gelatine, lard), Materials offensive to Islamic values, Israeli-origin products (residual boycott in some GCC + Iran/Iraq), Cannabis-derived products + CBD oil, Poppy seeds + papaver-derived products |
| bahrain | Alcohol of any kind, Pork products + pork derivatives (gelatine, lard), Materials offensive to Islamic values, Israeli-origin products (residual boycott in some GCC + Iran/Iraq), Cannabis-derived products + CBD oil, Poppy seeds + papaver-derived products |
| oman | Alcohol of any kind, Pork products + pork derivatives (gelatine, lard), Materials offensive to Islamic values, Israeli-origin products (residual boycott in some GCC + Iran/Iraq), Cannabis-derived products + CBD oil, Poppy seeds + papaver-derived products |
| iran | Alcohol of any kind, Pork products + pork derivatives (gelatine, lard), Materials offensive to Islamic values, Israeli-origin products (residual boycott in some GCC + Iran/Iraq), Luxury goods over local threshold (sanctions context), Dual-use electronics (EAR / Annex IV restricted), Cannabis-derived products + CBD oil, Poppy seeds + papaver-derived products, Satellite receivers (effectively prohibited) |
| brazil | E-cigarettes + vape pods + e-liquid |
| mexico | E-cigarettes + vape pods + e-liquid |
| argentina | E-cigarettes + vape pods + e-liquid |
| russia | Luxury goods over local threshold (sanctions context), Dual-use electronics (EAR / Annex IV restricted) |
Notable rule pairings
Specific item × destination rules where EMS (Express Mail Service)commonly intersects with customs or carrier policy.
Lithium Power Bank
🇺🇸 United States
USPS prohibits standalone lithium batteries in international mail
Lithium Power Bank
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Royal Mail restricts standalone lithium batteries
Perfume / Fragrance
🇺🇸 United States
Flammable liquid; ground shipping only via USPS
Vape / E-Cigarette
🇺🇸 United States
USPS ban on mailing vapes; private carriers restricted
Tobacco Cigarettes
🇺🇸 United States
Postal restrictions apply for tobacco cigarettes
CBD Oil
🇺🇸 United States
USPS accepts hemp-derived CBD under 0.3% THC
VERIFIED · 2026-05-13