Types of restrictions
Typically, items are restricted or prohibited by the following:
Restricted vs. prohibited
Restricted items differ from prohibited items. Restricted items are not allowed to be exported or imported unless approval has been granted or the required license has been obtained. Prohibited items, on the other hand, are not available for export or import due to regulations set by the export or destination country's government.
Response
{
"id": "rstc_1EEzH32eZvKYlo2CdNQsj6Dp",
"list": [
{
"id:": "sku_294395",
"message": "The item is oversize for this level of service",
"reason": "oversized",
"status": "restricted",
"type": "carrier"
}
],
"country": "BR",
"country_message": "",
"country_restrictions_webpage": "https://www.abf.gov.au/importing-exporting-and-manufacturing/prohibited-goods/list-of-items"
}
Import country
Restricted items can only be imported with additional permissions from a shipping carrier, including proper import documentation for the destination country, or with appropriate licenses or approvals obtained by the exporter, receiver, or importer.
Export country
The U.S. Export Control System oversees exports to protect the national security interests of the United States, promote foreign policy objectives, and comply with international commitments. With a program such as the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), penalties for violating the U.S. Department of State’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) may include fines and requirements to institute enhanced compliance measures within an organization. The Zonos API can help manage these restrictions.
Shipping carrier
UPS, FedEx, DHL, USPS, and other carriers each have different prohibited and restricted items for shipping internationally. Carriers will classify items as dangerous goods and may restrict these types of items (e.g. batteries). Additionally, country-specific import restrictions may vary by carrier. Size and weight restrictions are also managed by Zonos when needed.
Brand and distributors
Some brands restrict the sale of their products to different countries due to international distributor agreements with exclusive distribution rights, or the brand may impose price protections by country or region. For instance, Leatherman has international distributors and has assigned exclusive distribution rights in certain foreign countries. These rights often include exclusive licensing of trademarks. Brand restrictions are not comprehensive and typically involve obtaining restricted information from the merchant.
Prohibited items
Destination countries may prohibit individual items.
Example:
A t-shirt with an HS code of 6109.10 may not be restricted or prohibited into Barbados; however, if the t-shirt is camouflage, it is deemed illegal and will be confiscated by customs upon entry.
Accuracy
Zonos Restrict sources its information on restricted items from third-party sources and through the Zonos Decoder team, which includes data from carriers and various country websites. While primarily focusing on HS codes, Zonos recognizes that certain restrictions require more specific identification through description-level keywords. For instance, items like clothing in camouflage patterns destined for Barbados are identified and restricted using the keyword “camouflage,” despite their HS code not being flagged. This approach demonstrates Zonos' commitment to continually refining and enhancing its keyword match system, ensuring more comprehensive and accurate restriction services.
Frequently asked questions
How does Zonos source information on the various restrictions and prohibited items?
Zonos uses data from a variety of sources to manage the restrictions and prhibited items, including government websites, trade organizations, and more. We also have a Decoder team dedicated to managing global trade and staying up to date on the latest industry information.
Get started with Restrict
Manage restricted items for imports and exports.The Restrict API is for managing import and export restrictions. It allows users to verify whether shipped items are subject to any restrictions or prohibitions. This verification uses the ship-from and ship-to countries, the country of origin, and the HS code. These restrictions are governed by regulations from government agencies and may include rules specific to carriers and the destination country.