What Can't I Send by Courier in South Africa?
A complete guide to prohibited, restricted, and conditionally accepted items on UrgentGo's courier network — so your shipment clears without delays, refusals, or liability issues.
Quick Reference
At a glance — items that are completely banned vs. those that need special handling.
Full Prohibited & Restricted Items List
Click any category to expand the full list. Items marked "Restricted" may be accepted under specific conditions — contact us before booking.
What Happens If You Send a Prohibited Item?
The consequences range from inconvenient to serious. Here's what you need to know.
Shipment Refused or Returned
Prohibited items are refused at collection or intercepted at our sorting facility. The parcel is returned to sender at their cost — no refund on courier fees.
Legal Liability
Sending illegal items (drugs, unlicensed firearms, counterfeit goods) exposes the sender to criminal prosecution under South African law. UrgentGo is legally required to report suspicious shipments to SAPS.
Insurance Void
Any insurance cover — including declared value cover — is automatically void if the parcel contains prohibited or undeclared restricted items. Claims will be rejected.
Delays for Other Shipments
Dangerous goods in the network can trigger safety holds affecting all parcels in the same vehicle or aircraft. This impacts other customers and may result in compensation claims against the sender.
Disposal & Handling Fees
Hazardous items that cannot be safely returned may be disposed of at the sender's expense. Specialist disposal of dangerous goods can cost thousands of rands.
Account Suspension
Business account holders who repeatedly send prohibited items will have their accounts suspended. Deliberate violations result in permanent bans and civil recovery action.
Need to Send Something Specialist?
Some items that can't go via standard courier can be handled through our specialist services.
Courier Insurance
Sending something valuable? Add declared value cover to protect against loss, damage, and theft — from R500 standard cover to R500k business cover.
How to Package a Parcel
Proper packaging is required for insurance claims and reduces the risk of damage. Our step-by-step guide covers every item type — electronics, fragile goods, documents, and more.
Pharmaceutical Courier
Sending medication, vaccines, or cold chain goods? Our GDP-compliant pharmaceutical courier handles restricted medical items with full documentation and temperature control.
Medical Courier
Blood samples, pathology specimens, and medical devices require specialist handling. Our medical courier service complies with SANS 10234 and chain-of-custody requirements.
Understanding Courier Prohibited Items in South Africa
Every courier company in South Africa — from UrgentGo to the major national networks — operates under a set of prohibited and restricted items policies. These rules exist for three reasons: safety (dangerous goods can injure drivers and damage other parcels), legal compliance (South African law prohibits the transport of certain substances), and liability (couriers cannot insure items they cannot safely handle).
The most common question we receive is: "Can I send [item] by courier in South Africa?" The answer depends on whether the item is completely prohibited, restricted with conditions, or freely accepted. This guide covers all three categories for UrgentGo's domestic courier network.
Dangerous Goods Regulations in South Africa
South Africa's dangerous goods transport is governed by the National Road Traffic Act (NRTA) and the Hazardous Substances Act. For airfreight, IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) apply. These regulations classify dangerous goods into 9 classes — explosives, gases, flammable liquids, flammable solids, oxidising substances, toxic substances, radioactive materials, corrosives, and miscellaneous dangerous goods.
Standard courier vehicles are not licensed to carry Class 1 (explosives), Class 2 (compressed gases), or Class 7 (radioactive materials) under any circumstances. Class 3 (flammable liquids) and Class 8 (corrosives) require specialist hazmat vehicles with trained drivers and proper placarding — not available on UrgentGo's standard network.
Frequently Asked Questions
Real questions about what you can and can't send by courier in South Africa.
What's Next?
Your item is allowed — or you need specialist help. Either way, we've got you covered.