Restricted items
A restricted item is one you can bring across a border — but only with a permit, certificate, declaration, or under a quantity cap. Restricted is the largest category in customs law: most regulated imports fall here rather than under outright prohibition.
Most-restricted items globally (30)
Sorted by number of destinations that restrict the item.
- Fresh FruitRestricted in 160 indexed countries
- Meat ProductsRestricted in 157 indexed countries
- Gold JewelleryRestricted in 156 indexed countries
- Codeine (Medication)Restricted in 149 indexed countries
- Adderall (Medication)Restricted in 145 indexed countries
- Tobacco CigarettesRestricted in 132 indexed countries
- Alcohol / SpiritsRestricted in 123 indexed countries
- Vape / E-CigaretteRestricted in 119 indexed countries
- Tramadol (Medication)Restricted in 103 indexed countries
- Dairy ProductsRestricted in 101 indexed countries
- Sterilised hemp seeds (food grade)Restricted in 101 indexed countries
- Cash / CurrencyRestricted in 79 indexed countries
- AntiquitiesRestricted in 63 indexed countries
- Collectible coins (numismatic)Restricted in 53 indexed countries
- Ivory & CITES-Listed ItemsRestricted in 50 indexed countries
- Consumer DroneRestricted in 23 indexed countries
- E-Cigarette Liquid (Vape Juice)Restricted in 22 indexed countries
- CBD OilRestricted in 20 indexed countries
- Drone Batteries (LiPo)Restricted in 20 indexed countries
- TaxidermyRestricted in 20 indexed countries
- Used CarsRestricted in 20 indexed countries
- MotorcyclesRestricted in 20 indexed countries
- Coral & SeashellsRestricted in 19 indexed countries
- MelatoninRestricted in 16 indexed countries
- TestosteroneRestricted in 15 indexed countries
- Seeds & PlantsRestricted in 14 indexed countries
- Xanax / AlprazolamRestricted in 14 indexed countries
- WineRestricted in 14 indexed countries
- Mobile Phones (Commercial)Restricted in 13 indexed countries
- Tattoo EquipmentRestricted in 13 indexed countries
Common restriction mechanisms
- Quantity caps — alcohol, tobacco, currency above threshold.
- Permits / licences — weapons, certain chemicals, controlled substances.
- Certificates — phytosanitary, veterinary, CITES, end-use.
- Pre-arrival declaration — Japan Yakkan Shoumei, US ESTA, Australia incoming passenger card.
- Product compliance — CE, FCC, SASO, BIS marks.
- Age restrictions — alcohol, tobacco, certain electronics.
Related
- Prohibited items — items you cannot bring at all
- Full item catalogue
- Prohibited vs restricted explained
- Travelling with prescription medication