Prohibitions and Restrictions
Before sending goods using the services of CORREIOS, you should read the following guidelines, since international civil aviation and postal legislation prohibit transporting certain substances.
– CORREIOS does not transport any substances classified as hazardous by IATA. The examples mentioned in the list of General Prohibitions are not exhaustive. If you have doubts about any product, it is necessary to verify its acceptability.
– Some destinations do not accept specific objects that are not listed here. Therefore, it is advisable to proceed with your query by referring to country-specific restrictions.
– Moreover, you should be aware of legal provisions issued by Brazilian foreign trade regulatory bodies, which forbid the departure of certain types of goods from Brazil or impose export restrictions on other goods.
If doubts persist as to the acceptability or otherwise of the exporting of your goods by CORREIOS, do not hesitate to contact us at Talk to Correios or request information at one of our post offices. We will be glad to assist you in your research.
Check the Prohibitions ans Restrictions List:
General Prohibitions and Restrictions
1. Explosives
Definition: Any chemical compound, mixture or mechanism capable of producing an explosive-pyrotechnic effect, with substantial instant release of heat and gas. All explosives are prohibited.
Examples: nitroglycerin, fireworks, blasting caps, firecrackers, igniters, fuses, light show fireworks, ammunition etc.
2. Gases that are compressed, liquefied or dissolved under pressure
Definition: Permanent gases which cannot be liquefied at room temperature, liquefied gases which may become liquid under pressure at room temperature, dissolved gases which can be dissolved in a solvent under pressure.
I – All flammable compressed gases are prohibited. Examples: hydrogen, ethane, methane, propane, butane, lighters, gas cylinders for camping stoves, oil lamps etc.
I – All toxic compressed gases are prohibited. Example: chlorine, fluorine etc.
III – All non-inflammable compressed gases are prohibited. Examples: carbon dioxide, nitrogen, neon, fire extinguishers containing these gases etc.
IV – All aerosols are prohibited.
3. Inflammable Liquids
Definition: Liquids, liquid mixtures, or liquids containing solids in solution or suspension that produce inflammable vapor. Any liquid whose combustion point is below 60.5ºC is prohibited.
Examples: acetone, benzene, cleaning compounds, petrol, lighter fluid, thinner and paint remover, oil, solvents etc.
4. Inflammable Solids
Definition: solid materials which can produce heat by friction, moisture absorption, spontaneous chemical change or retained heat resulting from manufacturing or processing, or which can be readily ignited and vigorously burned.
Examples: Matches (of any kind, including safety matches), calcium carbide products, cellulose nitrate products, magnesium, nitrocellulose based film, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, sodium hydride, powdered zinc, zirconium hydrate etc.
5. Oxidizing substances and organic peroxides
Definition: though not necessarily self-combustible, these substances may cause or contribute to the combustion of other substances. They can also cause explosive decomposition, react dangerously with other substances and are harmful to our health.
Examples: bromides, chlorides, fiber glass components, repair sets, nitrate, perchlorates, permanganates, peroxides etc.
6. Toxic (poisonous) and infectious substances, medical substances
Definition: substances that can cause death or injury if swallowed or inhaled or when in contact with the skin. Substances containing microorganisms or their toxins which are known or suspected to cause diseases.
Examples: arsenic, beryllium, cyanide, fluoride, hydrogen selenite, mercury, mercury salt, mustard gas, nitrobenzene, nitrogen dioxide, pathogenic material, rat poison, serum, vaccines etc.
7. Radioactive material
Definition: All materials with a specific activity that exceeds 74 kilo-Becquerels per kg (0.002 microCuries per gram). All radioactive materials are prohibited.
Examples: Fissile material (Uranium 235 etc.), radioactive waste material (Uranium or thorium ores etc.).
8. Corrosive substances
Definition: Substances which can cause severe damage by chemical action to living tissue, other cargo or to the means of transportation. All corrosive substances are prohibited.
Examples: aluminum chloride; caustic soda; corrosive cleaning fluid; corrosive rust remover/preventative; corrosive paint remover; electric storage batteries; hydrochloric acid; nitric acid; sulphuric acid etc.
9. Miscellaneous hazardous substances and articles
Definition: Substances which present uninsured dangers.
Examples: asbestos; dry ice (solid carbon dioxide); magnetized materials with a magnetic field strength of 0.159 A/m or more at a distance of 2.1m outside the parcel.
10. Other prohibitions or restrictions
Complementing the above classification, the shipping of any other explosive, radioactive, perishable, fetid, sickening, corrosive, flammable or harmful substance will not be accepted if its handling or transportation constitutes a danger or causes damages to the postal staff, equipment or other objects. Moreover, the following items are subject to prohibition or restriction:
10.1 Drugs Forbidden by Law
No drug forbidden by law can be transported by the CORREIOS. When drugs are found in transit they are retained and handed over to the customs authorities or to police officers who will take legal action against the sender and/or the addressee. Examples: narcotics, psychotropic substances, LSD, morphine, cocaine, hashish resin, opium etc. Legally authorized shipments containing narcotic and psychotropic substances shall mandatorily bear the senders’ address so that they can be returned without delay in case of non-delivery.
10.2 Living Creatures
Only certain types of living creatures are accepted if packaged in adequate conditions under the responsibility of the client:
– bees, leeches, silkworms; – parasites and predators of harmful insects, provided they are meant for the control of such insects and exchanged between officially recognized institutions; – flies of the Drosophila family used for biomedical research exchanged between officially recognized institutions.
10.3 Dead Animals
Forbidden.
10.4 Currency in Circulation
Bills and coins in circulation are forbidden. Money transfers through CORREIOS are only allowed when made through Electronic Money Orders – International, provided all the conditions of this service are met.
10.5 Passport
Sending original documents through Correios is allowed, except passports. If the shipment contains a passport, the Brazilian Secretariat of the Internal Revenue Service will seize or return the passport to the sender. The release of this document depends on approval by the Federal Police, which conducts proper investigations and is responsible for contacting the sender.
10.6 Obscene and Indecent Articles
Documents, printed material, photographs, books or any other item and packages bringing aggressively offensive, indecent or obscene words, marks or designs are prohibited.
10.7 Objects whose contents are against National Security
Forbidden.
Objects Accepted with Restrictions
Articles made of gold, platinum, silver, bronze, nickel or other metals of value, bills and coins that are not in circulation, stamps or any other franchising formula, jewelry and precious items, or any paper that represents value to its bearer can only be accepted through Optional Insurance.
Specific Prohibitions and Restrictions to each country
The definitions and examples mentioned in the list of General Prohibitions are not exhaustive. Some destinations do not accept specific objects.
