Your guide for safely sending

your goods via our postal

network

Dangerous Goods &

Prohibited items

instructions

Version 1.2

February 2017

This document does not replace the Dangerous Goods

Regulations of IATA or the regulations of ADR

1

Content

Introduction ............................................................................................................................2

1. What can you send? ........................................................................................................3

2. Regular network - Lithium batteries or Cells allowed inside equipment ..........................7

3. Dangerous Goods network –Lithium batteries or cells allowed

with equipment or loose .................................................................................................8

4. Dangerous Goods network - Aerosols, Perfume & Nail varnish ....................................12

5. Appendix I – Examples prohibited weapons ..................................................................15

2

Introduction

To comply with transport legislation, to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of our

employees and customers, and ensure that mail in transport does not present a danger to

the general public, PostNL restricts or prohibits certain items from its network.

What are the prohibitions and restrictions?

‘Dangerous goods’ are articles or substances which are capable of posing a risk to health,

safety, property or the environment. Existing regulations prohibit sending nearly all

dangerous goods in the mail. Prohibited items (such as narcotics, weapons and life animals)

must never be sent in the post.

To comply with IATA regulations for Dangerous Goods and Customs regulations for

prohibited items, PostNL will enforce the regulations which prohibit dangerous goods &

prohibited from international post. Specific country restrictions apply which you should check

before posting any item .

What if you ignore the rules?

Failure to comply with the legal requirements for the transport of dangerous goods puts lives

at risk and is a criminal offence which may be subject to prosecution. If you send dangerous

goods or prohibited goods and do not comply with the applicable IATA regulations or

Customs regulations then PostNL or Dutch customs may deal with the goods as it sees fit

including destroying or disposing of the relevant items. Any costs related to destroying or

disposing will be charged to you.

What should you do next?

Please refer to this guide and the relevant terms and conditions before packaging or posting

any items to ensure you meet minimum safety requirements. It is your responsibility to check

the list of prohibited and restricted items and any applicable packaging, volume, quantity and

labelling requirements that apply prior to posting any item.

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1. What can you send?

Below list is not complete, all content of your packages must be compliant to IATA

regulations. Next to this you can also check the UPU website to see if the content is

compliant with the regulations of the country of destination :

http://www.upu.int/uploads/tx_sbdownloader/listCustomsProhibitedArticlesEn.pdf

Contact your Account Manager in case you have any questions regarding the content of your

shipments.

Description Examples Qualification

Loose Lithium

batteries /cells

Lithium batteries/ cells packed with equipment

Lithium batteries/ cells packed inside equipment

Powerbanks (with or without hardcover)

Alkaline/ Ni-Cd/Ni-Mh /batteries Packaging must prevent short circuit and unintentional activation.

4

Batteries/cells without any print / indication (Loose or with equipment)

Hover boards

Drones

Battery not connected to device

Battery connected to devices

Bluetooth receivers

Bluetooth headsets

Laserpen

Max. 5 mW

>5 mW

5

Kitchen knives (Max. 15 cms blade, sharp at only one side of the blade, securely packed in strong box)

Weapons ((fake) weapons, tasers, knuckle duster, knives, see appendix 1)

Filled lighters

Electronic lighters

CO2 chargers

Ink/toner cartridges

Refill ink/toner Tattoo ink

6

Alcoholic beverages and liquids >25% Alcohol

Alcoholic beverages and liquids < 25% Alcohol Packing must withstand a droptest of 1,2 meter

Additional information:

Each package must bear below label, min. 5 x 5 cm.

Nail varnish

Nail gel (not considered dangerous according to MSDS)

Perfume

Aerosols (non toxic)

7

2. Regular network - Lithium batteries or Cells allowed inside equipment

Available to

All destinations transported by PostNL by air and truck

Type of batteries or cells allowed inside equipment

Lithium ION (max. watt-hour rating)

• Cell max. 20 Wh

• Battery max. 100 Wh

Lithium METAL (max. lithium content)

• Cell max. 1 gram

• Battery max. 2 gram

Quality requirements

Each cell or battery is of the type proved to meet the requirements of each test of the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, subsection 38.3. If necessary, a test report must be send. Cells and batteries must be manufactured under a quality management program as described in 3.9.2.6 (e) of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations.

Requirements per packet

• Batteries/cells shall always be incorporated in equipment • Not more than 4 cells or 2 batteries in one piece of equipment per shipment

• Per package, not heavier than 5 kilogrammes (max 2 kilogrammes for packets)

• The batteries may not be susceptible to overheating or short circuiting

• The shipment must be packed in a strong rigid outer packaging constructed of suitable material of adequate strength and design in relation to the packaging’s capacity and its intended use unless the battery is afforded equivalent protection by the equipment in which it is contained

The below items are considered to be loose batteries/cells or batteries/cell outside equipment and must be processed & packed as described in chapter 3:

• Powerbanks/battery packs

• Packages with equipment containing a lithium battery inside but also a spare battery

Undeliverable packets

Packages that could not be delivered to the recipient could be returned to the customer, please discuss the options with your Account Manager.

8

3. Dangerous Goods network – Lithium batteries or cells with equipment or loose

Available to

Limited destinations transported by PostNL by truck only

Type of batteries or cells allowed outside equipment

Lithium ION (max. watt-hour rating)

• Cell max. 20 Wh

• Battery max. 100 Wh

Lithium METAL (max. lithium content)

• Cell max. 1 gram

• Battery max. 2 gram

Quality requirements

Each cell or battery is of the type proved to meet the requirements of each test of the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, subsection 38.3. If necessary, a test report must be send. Cells and batteries must be manufactured under a quality management program as described in 3.9.2.6 (e) of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations.

Maximum per packet

Loose batteries / cells: Lithium ION Lithium METAL

Batteries / cells with equipment: The number of cells or batteries in each package must not exceed the appropriate number for the equipment’s

operations, plus two spares

The batteries may not be susceptible to overheating or short circuiting

The below items are considered to be loose batteries/cells or batteries/cell outside equipment and must be processed & packed as described in this chapter:

• Powerbanks / battery packs • Packages with equipment containing a lithium battery inside but also a spare battery

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Destinations that allow Lithium batteries or cells meeting above requirements

Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland,

Portugal, Slovakia, Spain Mainland, Sweden Mainland*, Switzerland

Spain excl. Balearic Islands & Canary Islands (postcode range 38000-38999 and 07000-07999 and 35000-35999)

Sweden excl. Gotland (postcode range 62000-62999)

France excl. Islands (postcode range 97100 –97999 and 98600-98999)

*Sweden does not accept PostNL Registered material

Packaging

Items must be placed in strong inner packaging that completely enclose the cell/ battery and then placed in a strong

rigid outer packaging.

The package must be capable of withstanding a 1.2m drop test in any orientation without:

• Damage to cells or batteries contained therein

• Shifting of the contents so as to allow battery to battery (or cell to cell) contact

• Release of content

Before sending the first shipment your packaging must be approved by your Account Manager

Package Label

Each packet must be labelled with a lithium ion / metal battery handling label and phone number must be written

on the label. The size of the label is min. 10,5 x 7,4 cm.

Lithium ION Lithium METAL

Please note that the above labels are valid until 31-12-2017. The labels on the next page may already be used

and are mandatory per 1-1-2018

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Lithium ION mandatory per 1-1-2018 Lithium METAL mandatory per 1-1-2018

Loose batteries Loose batteries

Packed with equipment Packed with equipment

Documentation

Each package wearing the lithium battery handling label must also be accompanied with a Shippers Confirmation

document with an indication that:

• The package contains lithium ion cell or batteries

• The package must be handled with care and that a Flammability hazard exists if the package is damaged

• Special procedures must be followed in the event the package is damaged, including inspection and

repacking if necessary

• A telephone number for additional information

his document must be placed in a clear plastic envelope, in such

A way that the LB information is clearly visible from the outside,

without the need to open the plastic envelope or manipulate the

document. The plastic envelope must be attached to the package.

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Hand-over & processing location

Items should be send to PostNL processing location in Rotterdam:

IMU Rotterdam, t.a.v BUBA 2

Terbregseweg 300

3062 CZ Rotterdam

NETHERLANDS

Processing timing

The shipments should arrive at the processing location on Mon-Fri between 07.00- 14.00 AM to be processed the same day. If not delivered before 14.00 AM items will be processed the next day

Undeliverable packets

Packages that could not be delivered to the recipient will be returned to the customer, but only if the customer is based in the Netherlands. Packets will NOT be sent abroad & will be destroyed by PostNL.

Transit times

On average there’s an increase of transit times of 4 working days compared to our Priority service, depending on the destination

The Sender is responsible for correct packaging of the items. PostNL will

perform random checks. If items are not packed correctly, these items will be

rejected. PostNL will notify the sender, but will need to destroy the rejected

items for safety reasons without exception and prior notice.

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4. Dangerous Goods network - Aerosols, Perfume & Nail varnish

Available to

Limited destinations transported by PostNL by truck only

Types allowed

Aerosols for personal grooming or medicinal purposes including deodorants, body sprays, hair sprays, shaving and hair removal creams, medicinal aerosols for prevention or cure such as flea sprays, etc. NOT containing any toxic ingredients. All other aerosols, including those containing spray paints, lacquers, solvents, air fresheners and oven cleaners are prohibited.

N/A N/A

Maximum per packet

2 aerosols of maximum 50 ml each

4 x 150 ml = 600 ml

15 ml or 3 bottles

Destinations

Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway,

Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain Mainland, Switzerland

Spain excl. Balearic Islands & Canary Islands (postcode range 38000-38999 and 07000-07999 and 35000-35999)

France excl. Islands (postcode range 97100 –97999 and 98600-98999)

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Packaging

Valves must be protected by a cap or other

suitable means to prevent inadvertent

release of the contents during transport.

Items must be placed in strong inner

packaging that completely enclose the

aerosols and then placed in a strong outer

packaging.

The package must be capable of

withstanding a 1.2m drop test in any

orientation without:

• Damage to aerosol

• Shifting of the contents so as to allow

aerosol to aerosol contact

• Release of content

Before sending the first shipment your

packaging must be approved by your

Account Manager

Items must be placed in inner packaging that completely enclose

bottle of perfume and then placed in a strong outer packaging.

The package must be capable of withstanding a 1.2m drop test in any

orientation without:

• Damage to bottle

• Shifting of the contents so as to allow bottle to bottle contact

• Release of content

Before sending the first shipment your packaging must be approved

by your Account Manager

Label

No special labelling required

Each package must be labelled with a Limited Quantity label next to

the address. The size of the label is min. 5 x 5 cm and max. 10 x 10

cm. Also a “this end up” label should be placed on each package to

mark the package direction to ensure that the package remains

upright.

14

Hand-over & processing location

Items should be send to PostNL processing location in Rotterdam:

IMU Rotterdam, t.a.v BUBA 2

Terbregseweg 300

3062 CZ Rotterdam

NETHERLANDS

Processing timing

The shipments should arrive at the processing location on Mon-Fri between 07.00- 14.00 AM to be processed the same day. If not delivered before 14.00 AM items will be processed the next day

Undeliverable packets

Packages that could not be delivered to the recipient will be returned to the customer, but only if the customer is based in the Netherlands. Packets will NOT be sent abroad & will be destroyed by PostNL.

Transit times

On average there’s an increase of transit times of 4 working days compared to our Priority service, depending on the destination

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5. Appendix I – Examples prohibited weapons

It is forbidden to ship items, considered as offensive weapons which are designed to kill or

inflict serious injury. Below you find examples of what is considered weapons, ammunition

and various types of knives.

1. Examples of Weapons

• Firearms

• Alarm guns

• Pepper spray

• Dummy weapons

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• Ammunition

• Stunguns/taser

2. Examples of bludgeons, thrust and stabbing weapons, stilettos, switch blades

and butterfly knives:

• Folding knives – skinning knives

• Blackjacks – Nunchakus

• Ninja stars – Knuckledusters

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• Hand – foot claws

• Catapults

When these type of goods are shipped, the item will be seized by PostNL or Customs

and destroyed.