What Cannot Be Shipped via Taobao Forwarding — Restricted Items
The best time to confirm restricted items is before you order. Batteries, liquids, powders and flammable goods - what each needs and which to ask the channel about first, in one table.
Restricted items: the worst time to ask is after you have shipped
First-time forwarding users often ask whether this can be shipped only after the parcel has already reached our warehouse. I have seen it too many times. The best moment to confirm a restricted item is before you order, not after you have bought it. Once it is held, the parcel is destroyed, freight is not refunded, and you rebuy and lose the time.
So my rule for clients is simple: do not declare a restricted item as ordinary goods yourself. If you are unsure, send the product link or name to an advisor first.
| Category | Examples | How we handle |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | Power banks, lithium batteries, power tools | Designated channel plus reinforcement, confirm first |
| Liquids | Perfume, serums, oils | Per-item volume limit plus leak-proof packing |
| Powders and pastes | Loose powder, creams, mascara | More channel limits, declare truthfully |
| Flammable etc. | Aerosol cans, knives, alcohol and tobacco | Usually prohibited |
Items with batteries: power banks, lithium batteries, power tools
Not everything with a battery is unshippable, but it must go through the right channel and be reinforced. Power banks, lithium batteries and power tools - some destinations take them by land or need special packing.
The key is confirming early. Channels differ wildly in what they allow. Send us the product name before ordering; we judge by destination and channel. If it can go, we use a compliant line; if not, we tell you straight not to ship - no roundabout.
Liquids: perfume, serums, oils
Liquids carry a per-item volume limit and need leak-proof packing. Perfume, serum, oils and large toiletries all fall here.
I will not hard-write the exact volume number in a public article; the standing line is that there is a per-item limit, ask first. If you guess a volume and exceed it, it gets returned and the back-and-forth costs your time.
Powders and pastes: even more channel limits
Loose powder, creams, mascara - channel limits are usually tighter than liquids. They can go only if packing is compliant and declared truthfully.
On declaration I want to be very clear: write the real contents, do not relabel as something else to pass review. If found inconsistent, the consequences are far worse than cannot ship.
Flammable, explosive, compressed cans: usually prohibited outright
Flammable, explosive, aerosol cans, knives, live plants or animals, alcohol and tobacco - usually prohibited outright, no let us try room.
If unsure about anything else, talk to our consultants and we will confirm item by item which need channel checks first. For items not listed, do not infer - send the link and ask.
90 days free storage - perfect for slowly building a box
Once restricted items are confirmed, what is left is building the box. After multiple parcels arrive at the Youmanman Forwarding warehouse, free storage runs 90 days counting from the first parcel inbound date.
Within that window you can consolidate and ship anytime. If you are not in a rush, leave them; ship parcels from other domestic platforms in too and build together. Only after the free window does storage bill by occupied volume.
Consolidation and weight reduction: you save duplicate first-weight
Restricted items are often the biggest volume hogs. When consolidating, strip redundant packaging and recombine - volumetric weight and freight drop together.
Consolidation is not adding up a few weights; it is recomputing the outer box volumetric weight. Light bulky goods such as pillows and plush toys save the most here. Exactly how much depends on your actual goods; I will give you a comparison.
Strip the original boxes before ordering consolidation
Freight is billed on the outer box volumetric weight, and many products own big retail boxes eat volume. Remove original packaging you can, repack tighter, and the freight tier often drops a level. But do not rip off anti-counterfeit or warranty packaging blindly - photograph it first as proof in case you need after-sales. Doing this before consolidation is cheapest; doing it at the warehouse adds a labor step.
Every step is logged after arrival
On arrival we weigh, photograph and put away each parcel; the system shows each parcel inbound time and weight. From overseas you can always see which warehouse your goods are in and how many parcels you have accumulated. If one parcel is late, you can match the tracking immediately instead of discovering a shortage at shipping time. Once restricted items are confirmed and parcels complete, ship consolidated in one go - that is the most worry-free part.
FAQ
Q: Can a battery power bank actually be shipped? A: Some destinations can take it, but it needs reinforcement and a designated channel, confirmed in advance. Do not send it as ordinary goods - returned freight is not refunded.
Q: Is there a volume cap on liquids like perfume? A: Yes, a per-item limit, but the exact number is not in the public list; ask first. Standard practice is leak-proof packing plus truthful declaration - do not guess the volume yourself.
Q: Can powders and pastes be shipped? A: More channel limits; they can go only if packing is compliant and declared truthfully. Send the product link if unsure; do not infer.
Q: What if a parcel is lost or damaged? A: We weigh and photograph at both inbound and outbound as proof. Full compensation for loss; damage shows before outbound and we reinforce the outer box. Claims follow the agreement - just message the group.
Q: How long can a parcel sit? A: 90 days free storage from the first parcel inbound. Use that window to ship in other domestic parcels and build volume; storage only bills after the free window, with tiered discounts for longer stays.
Send your uncertain shopping cart to contact us and we will tell you which can go and which cannot.