Can I ship perfume, lithium batteries or aerosols from Europe? The 2026 rules, explained

Short answer: often yes, but never as an ordinary parcel. Perfume, aerosols, nail polish and lithium batteries are dangerous goods for air transport. International post refuses most of them, express couriers accept them only from shippers with a dangerous-goods contract, and every package needs the right classification, packaging and labels. That is why so many European shops refuse to ship them abroad — and why "just mail it" doesn't work.

Which everyday products count as dangerous goods

Lithium batteries: the strictest case

Loose lithium-ion batteries (UN3480) are forbidden on passenger aircraft and may only fly on cargo aircraft, at a state of charge of 30% or less unless the authorities approve otherwise (IATA Lithium Battery Guidance Document, 2026 edition). For batteries packed with a device, IATA introduced the same 30% limit from 2026 — its fact sheet calls it a requirement and its guidance document a strong recommendation, so check with the carrier. Small batteries are those up to 20 Wh per cell and 100 Wh per battery. A phone, laptop or camera with its battery installed is the easiest case; a power bank or spare battery on its own is the hardest.

Why the post office says no

The Universal Postal Union states that perfumes are prohibited in international mail and aerosols are forbidden; lithium batteries are accepted only when installed in the device, only by posts authorised by their aviation authority, and with at most four cells or two batteries per package (UPU, read 3 November 2026). Spain's Correos applies the same idea: no flammable perfumes or aerosols, no vehicle batteries, and batteries only inside equipment — and some destination countries refuse even those.

Why couriers say "not without a contract"

DHL Express treats perfume as a restricted item that needs pre-approval, and only approved account holders can ship lithium batteries. UPS accepts dangerous goods on a contract basis only, for approved customers and routes. FedEx requires pre-approval for several battery shipments (carrier help pages, search snippets read 3 November 2026). In other words: an individual walking into a courier shop with a bottle of perfume will usually be turned away.

How it can still travel

Through a forwarder with a dangerous-goods process: the item is identified, inspected, repacked in compliant packaging, labelled and documented, and booked on a service and aircraft that accept it. Some items cannot fly at all and need another mode; some cannot be shipped. Expect extra time and a handling fee on top of normal freight.

Customs at the other end

Dangerous-goods handling doesn't change customs. Duties and taxes are paid at destination by the recipient. If you are in the US: the $800 de minimis exemption has been suspended for all countries since 29 August 2025, and in June 2026 the suspension was made indefinite (Federal Register, 24 June 2026), so even small parcels are dutiable.

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