Consolidation puts several suppliers’ goods in one carton, which is convenient, but it doesn’t change what’s allowed to cross a border. At Freight2Me we screen shipments for items carriers won’t carry or destinations will seize, because one prohibited parcel can hold up or wreck an entire merged batch. This guide lists the categories that cause problems most often and how we handle them before your goods leave Guangzhou.
Why Merging Raises the Stakes
When five suppliers ship separately, a banned item in one box affects one box. When we consolidate, that same item sits in a carton with everyone else’s goods. If customs or the carrier pulls the carton, the whole batch is exposed. So we screen at intake, not at the airport. Our fee breakdown shows screening is part of receiving, not a separate surprise charge.
The Categories That Get Stopped Most
These show up constantly in China consolidation and need care.
Batteries
Loose lithium cells and power banks are restricted by air carriers. Built-in-battery devices are usually fine, loose cells are not. The line is specific and it moves with carrier rules.
Liquids and gels
Many are fine in limited quantities with proper containment, but some (solvents, aerosols, alcohol) are restricted or prohibited by air regardless of size.
Powders
Protein powder, cosmetics, and similar fine powders draw extra scrutiny and often need declaration or testing at destination.
Branded and copyrighted goods
Counterfeit or unauthorised branded items are a hard prohibition. We won’t knowingly consolidate infringing goods, and doing so risks seizure plus legal exposure for you.
Goods that need permits
Food, supplements, cosmetics, and medical items often need destination permits or registration that a casual shipment doesn’t have.
How We Handle a Flagged Item
If an item looks restricted or prohibited when it arrives, we stop and ask rather than ship and hope. Depending on the case we will:
Confirm the exact item
We check the precise item and quantity with you, because “battery” covers a wide range of allowed and banned forms.
Check the destination rule
What the US allows differs from what Australia or the UAE will seize, so the same item can be fine to one and fatal to another.
Remove it if it can’t travel
We pull the item from the batch so it doesn’t compromise the rest of your order.
Suggest a compliant alternative
Where one exists, such as sea freight for items air won’t take, we point you to a route that works.
What to Tell Us Up Front
List sensitive items when you create the shipment. A heads-up lets us screen and route correctly instead of discovering the item at the hub and delaying everything. If you’re unsure whether an item is allowed, ask before your supplier ships it; a question is cheaper than a seized batch. Our customs clearance guide covers the declaration side of the same risk.
Where the Rules Live
Prohibited and restricted lists are set by carriers and by each destination’s customs authority, and they change. We keep current with the carriers we use and we screen against their lists, but the final authority is the destination government, and permit requirements vary by product and country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you ship my branded goods if I own the brand?
Genuine goods with proper authorisation are generally fine. The problem is unauthorised or counterfeit branding, which we won’t consolidate. Keep invoices or authorisation ready in case customs asks.
What happens if a prohibited item is already in my batch?
We remove it and ship the rest, or hold the batch while you decide. We won’t knowingly send a prohibited item, because it puts your whole order at risk.
Do you guarantee customs will accept my items?
No carrier or forwarder can guarantee that. We screen against known restrictions and advise, but the destination authority makes the final call. Accurate declaration is your best protection.