What You Can't Ship by Air to The Bahamas

Most of what you buy online flies home without a second thought. A small group of items doesn't: some are dangerous on an aircraft, some need a permit from a Bahamian authority, and a few are prohibited altogether. Knowing which is which before you order saves you a package stuck in Florida, an extra charge or, worst of all, an item you paid for and can't have.

If you're not sure about something, call us on 603-5555 before you order. It's much easier to answer the question before the package is on its way.

Items we can't fly

These are refused for air shipment, so don't send them to your US address:

• Fireworks, explosives and flares.
• Fuel and gas cylinders: gasoline, lighter fluid, camping gas and propane tanks.
• Ammunition, and firearms or their parts without a licence (see below).

Our terms list the full set of prohibited and commonly refused items.

Items that fly with the hazardous materials charge

Some everyday products count as hazardous goods for the flight. Airline rules restrict how they're packed and carried, and a $35 hazardous materials charge applies (see pricing). Check with us before ordering if your package includes:

• Perfume and cologne, because of the alcohol. This catches a lot of gift sets.
• Aerosols: spray paint, air freshener and disinfectant sprays, spray adhesive.
• Nail polish, acetone and rubbing alcohol.
• Paint and varnish, including acrylic art paint.
• Motor oil, brake fluid and other car fluids. Our car parts guide covers them.
• Pesticides and other chemicals.
• Fire extinguishers.
• Hoverboards, because of their large lithium battery.
• Lithium batteries shipped on their own, such as spare phone or laptop batteries and power banks. A battery inside the device it powers (a phone, laptop or toy) is fine.

The shipping calculator adds the charge when you pick an item type that needs it, so the estimate shows the real cost.

Items that need a permit or licence

These can come in, but only with the right paperwork from a Bahamian authority, arranged before the package arrives:

• Firearms, ammunition, and their parts and accessories need a licence from the Royal Bahamas Police Force. Call us before ordering.
• Plants, seeds, animals, meat and some foods need a permit from the Bahamas Agricultural Health and Food Safety Authority.
• Prescription medicines: keep the prescription with your invoice.

Items that are prohibited

Illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia, counterfeit goods and obscene material can't be imported at all. Fake branded goods are common on some marketplaces and can be seized by Customs, so buy unbranded or genuine items. Our Shein and Temu guide has more on this.

What happens if one arrives anyway

Packages are checked at our Miami Lakes warehouse. One that contains an item we can't fly, or one without the paperwork it needs, may be held or refused rather than flown, and that can hold up the rest of your order too. That's why the five-minute check before ordering is worth it.

Shopping for the holidays

The busy season brings more of these items into carts than any other time of year: perfume gift sets, spray decorations, hoverboards, gadgets with spare batteries and, around New Year, fireworks. Our Black Friday guide covers the rest of holiday shopping, and the Bahamas customs guide covers everything else Customs looks for.