Carriers employ different transportation methods when delivering shipments, meaning shipping restrictions are highly dependant on the carrier. This is important to consider when selecting the right carrier for your shipment. 


Below you will find a brief overview of the shipping restrictions for each available carrier. For the most current information on carrier shipping restrictions, please refer to the webpages that are linked in each section. Please note that carrier-specific restrictions are in addition to Chit Chats’ Shipping Restrictions.


USPS


There are two main factors to consider when shipping via USPS:



  • Domestic vs International Shipments

  • Prohibited vs Restricted Items


As most international shipments travel by air, they are subject to certain safety regulations for air travel in addition to necessary customs clearance. For this reason, prohibited international shipments include and extend beyond the scope of prohibited domestic shipments.


However, as domestic shipments may also travel by air, items prohibited internationally may only be restricted domestically. Typically these restrictions pertain to an item’s packaging or its quantity.


Ex. A Brief Overview of USPS Prohibited & Restricted Items



For a more in-depth look at prohibitions and restrictions, please see the USPS's Shipping Restrictions.


UPS MI*


As all UPS MI shipments are transported by air, they must be TSA-compliant. To be considered TSA-compliant, an item must not be classified as a dangerous good. Examples of dangerous goods include:



  • Items that are explosive, flammable, corrosive, or are oxidizers or compressed gases. This include aerosols, perfumes, fragrances and household cleaning agents.

  • Large quantities of magnets, and Strong or Industrial Magnets & Magnetized materials

  • Dry Ice

  • Hazardous Batteries & electronic/products containing these batteries e.g. cellphone, laptops, tablets, smartwatches, etc.



The USPS has a great guide on which items may be considered dangerous goods.


UPS MI shipments are also transported by two postal services: UPS and USPS. Naturally, shipments must comply with both carriers’ requirements. For USPS, please see the above entry; for UPS, please see UPS's List of Prohibited Articles for Shipping.


Asendia


All Asendia shipments must be TSA-compliant. This is because this carrier transports shipments by air. To be considered TSA-compliant, an item must not be classified as a dangerous good. Examples of dangerous goods include:



  • Items that are explosive, flammable, corrosive, or are oxidizers or compressed gases. This include aerosols, perfumes, fragrances and household cleaning agents.

  • Large quantities of magnets, and Strong or Industrial Magnets & Magnetized materials

  • Dry Ice

  • Hazardous Batteries & electronic/products containing these batteries e.g. cellphone, laptops, tablets, smartwatches, etc.



For more information, the USPS has a great guide on which items may be considered dangerous goods.


Additionally, as Asendia handles international shipments, please note:



  • Customs regulations for the destination country must be considered. 

  • A CN22 customs form must be completed


Please also see Asendia’s reference on prohibited items.


Chit Chats Canada Tracked


While shipments travelling with this carrier do not cross international borders, they must meet Canada Post's mailability criteria. In general, there are two item classifications: 



  • Prohibited - items considered to be dangerous and are not mailable

  • Controlled - items which may be mailed but have additional packaging and documentation requirements


Ex. Brief Overview of Canada Post Prohibited & Controlled Items



For more information on what Canada Post considers to be non-mailable, please see these links: 



Chit Chats International Standard*


Chit Chats International Standard shipments travel by air and as a general rule, all dangerous goods are prohibited. You may refer to USPS's guide on Nonmailable Goods for more information on what may be considered a dangerous good.


For more information on the import restrictions in the destination country for your shipment, please refer to these links:



*Some services may only be available for grandfathered accounts.