Restricted Products: Types, Examples, and How to Identify Them

Understanding the types of Restricted Products helps businesses spot potential issues before they become costly problems. Below are the main categories you’ll encounter, with examples and simple identification steps suitable for beginners.

Major types and examples

• Hazardous materials (HAZMAT): Includes flammable liquids, corrosives, oxidizers, toxic substances, and compressed gases. Examples: gasoline, industrial solvents, bleach, and aerosol cans. These are heavily regulated for transport and storage.
• Lithium batteries and battery-powered devices: Lithium-ion and lithium metal batteries pose fire risks in transport; many airlines and carriers restrict quantities and require special packaging and declaration.
• Pharmaceuticals and medical devices: Prescription drugs, injectable medicines, vaccines, and certain medical devices often need licenses, temperature-controlled storage, and certified transport (cold chain).
• Alcohol and tobacco: Product sale, transport, and import/export of alcoholic beverages and tobacco are regulated by age controls, excise taxes, and licensing.
• Firearms, ammunition, and weapons: Heavily controlled with strict licensing, background checks, and carrier restrictions for transport.
• Food and agricultural items: Perishable foods, seeds, live animals, or plant products are subject to sanitary and phytosanitary controls, import permits, and health inspections.
• Chemicals and pesticides: Industrial chemicals and pesticides often need SDS documentation and may require special storage and disposal rules.
• Endangered species and wildlife products: Items made from protected animals/plants (ivory, certain types of leather) are restricted or banned under conservation laws.
• High-value or controlled consumer goods: Counterfeit items, certain cosmetics with restricted ingredients, and CBD/hemp products are subject to marketplace or legal restrictions.

How to identify if a product is restricted

1. Check labels and documentation: Look for hazard pictograms, UN numbers (for dangerous goods), and manufacturer-provided Safety Data Sheets (SDS/MSDS). These documents explicitly state transport classes and handling requirements.
2. Review product composition: Even small concentrations of restricted substances can impose controls. For chemicals, review the ingredients list and CAS numbers.
3. Consult official lists and regulations: Use IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (air), IMDG Code (sea), and local regulations (e.g., 49 CFR in the U.S.) for definitive guidance. Customs agencies publish lists of controlled imports/exports.
4. Check carrier and marketplace policies: Carriers and e-commerce platforms can add restrictions or require specific documentation. For example, some couriers won’t carry aerosols or batteries by air.
5. Use HS codes and customs advice: Classifying products with the correct Harmonized System code helps reveal trade restrictions, duties, and licensing needs.
6. Ask the supplier or manufacturer: Suppliers should know regulatory status and provide SDS, test certifications, or letters of conformity.

Practical examples of identification in action

• A seller sources a portable speaker: check whether the product contains a lithium battery. If yes, consult IATA rules and the battery manufacturer for state-of-charge limits and packaging requirements before shipping by air.
• An importer wants to bring in herbal supplements: check local food and drug administration rules and whether any ingredients are controlled or require lab testing.
• A distribution center receives a pallet labeled 'corrosive': request the SDS, set aside appropriate storage with secondary containment, and instruct staff on PPE and spill response.

Tips for beginners

• Create a simple intake checklist for new SKUs that includes supplier SDS, HS code, country of origin, and any carrier/marketplace notes.
• Train procurement and warehouse staff to spot hazard labels and ask for documentation if something is unclear.
• When in doubt, consult a customs broker, dangerous goods expert, or the carrier’s dangerous goods contact before scheduling transport.

Identifying restricted products early saves time, money, and risk. With a few routine checks — SDS review, HS classification, and carrier/platform verification — teams new to logistics can handle most restricted products safely and compliantly.