nonmailable
Barred from post
Nonmailable describes items that cannot be sent through the postal system.
Postal services prohibit certain materials for safety, legal, or practical reasons—explosives, hazardous chemicals, live animals, perishables, and illegal goods are typically nonmailable.
The package was returned because its contents were nonmailable.
The specific list varies by country and carrier.
Prohibited trade goods
- smugglingIllegal covert transport
- counterfeitFraudulent imitation
- narcoticsDrugs inducing sleep, numbness
- firearmsWeapons using explosive propulsion
stolen · trafficking · forgery · fraudulent · pirated · weapons · drugs · currency
Capable of causing harm
- flammableProne to ignition
- explosiveProne to sudden detonation
- corrosiveDestroys by chemical action
- radioactiveEmitting nuclear decay particles
biohazard · combustible · poisonous · volatile · infectious · oxidizer · caustic · aerosol
Prone to decay
- fragileEasily broken or damaged
- livestockDomesticated farm animals
- plantsPhotosynthesizing rooted organisms
- seedsPlant embryos in casings
alcohol · tobacco · prescription · cash · ammunition · irreplaceable · time-sensitive · oversized
Cannot be sent
- unshippableCannot be delivered
- unsendableImpossible to transmit
- rejectedRefused or turned away
- barredBlocked from entry
excluded · ineligible · unacceptable · unmarked · unlabeled · unaddressed · damaged · leaking
contraband
Prohibited trade goods
- smugglingIllegal covert transport
- counterfeitFraudulent imitation
- narcoticsDrugs inducing sleep, numbness
firearms · stolen · trafficking · forgery · fraudulent · pirated · weapons · drugs · currency · ivory
toxic
Capable of causing harm
radioactive · biohazard · combustible · poisonous · volatile · infectious · oxidizer · caustic · aerosol · ammunition
perishable
Prone to decay
- fragileEasily broken or damaged
- livestockDomesticated farm animals
- plantsPhotosynthesizing rooted organisms
seeds · alcohol · tobacco · prescription · cash · ammunition · irreplaceable · time-sensitive · oversized · overweight
undeliverable
Cannot be sent
- unshippableCannot be delivered
- unsendableImpossible to transmit
- rejectedRefused or turned away
barred · excluded · ineligible · unacceptable · unmarked · unlabeled · unaddressed · damaged · leaking