---
title: What Can (and Cannot) Be Shipped
description: Knowing what you want to ship is important, but do you know if you can ship it?
---

[Freightcom Blog | Freightcom | SHIPPING.SIMPLIFIED. ](https://www.freightcom.com/blog)

# [What Can (and Cannot) Be Shipped](https://www.freightcom.com/blog/what-can-and-cannot-be-shipped)

 Written by [Brandon Draga](https://www.freightcom.com/blog/author/brandon-draga) | Mar 10, 2022 7:00:00 PM

By and large, Canada’s infrastructure is such that most goods can be shipped **safely, efficiently, and most importantly legally**, within the country’s borders. As with all things, however, **restrictions do exist**.

Veteran shippers may be more familiar with these restrictions, however if you are relatively new to the shipping world, or if you are **expanding your shipping strategy** into unfamiliar territory, navigating the intricacies of **restricted and prohibited goods** can be difficult to manage alone.

The good news is that **you aren’t alone!** Today on the Freightcom blog we’re giving you the information you need to answer the ever-important question: **“Can this be shipped?”**

 

 

## Restricted vs. Prohibited Items

While at face value these terms could be considered synonymous, knowing the **difference between restricted and prohibited goods **is vital.

**Prohibited items** **cannot be shipped by a carrier**. While many prohibited items are simply illegal under Canadian law, many carriers will prohibit items such as **fine art or jewelry** for liability reasons.

**Restricted items** will be accepted by a carrier, however each carrier will have **specific guidelines** that must be met in order to do so. Oftentimes these restrictions will be related to an item’s packaging, the requirement of an adult’s signature upon receipt, or **pre-negotiated contracts** with the carrier in regards to the restricted item.

 

 

## Restricted Items Cross-Border

As we discussed in our post about [cross-border pallet shipping](https://www.freightcom.com/blog/how-to-ship-your-pallets-cross-border?hsLang=en), moving goods within a country is one thing, but **moving them between countries** is another entirely. Beyond the added paperwork required to ship anything cross-border or internationally, it is imperative to know whether or not what you are shipping is a **restricted or prohibited item in the destination country**.

 

 

Most carriers will have these items listed on their **respective regional websites**, and in most cases, such as with the [US Customs and Border Protection website](https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/know-before-you-go/prohibited-and-restricted-items), governments will have lists of goods that cannot be imported freely.

 

  

## Freightcom Eases Your Shipping Worries

No matter what your business needs to ship (within reason, of course), you can trust Freightcom to ensure that **better rates and better service** don’t feel like a restriction.

Our multi-mode shipping management platform partners with the **leading North American freight and parcel carriers** to offer discounted shipping rates, end-to-end tracking, a wide variety of shipping services, and much more, all with **zero startup and monthly fees!**

**Contact one of our shipping experts **Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm EST at  
[1-877-335-8740](mailto:1-877-335-8740) or by email at [sales@freightcom.com](mailto:sales@freightcom.com) and let Freightcom help keep your shipping strategy on track!

[1] [https://www.history.com/news/mailing-children-post-office](https://www.history.com/news/mailing-children-post-office)

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