This article breaks down product categories offered on Easyship, how to appropriately describe products, and the specific requirements of shipping dangerous goods.
What Are Product Categories?
Couriers and countries have different restrictions for the commodities that can be carried or imported. Though product categories may seem simple, they are a crucial data point used to measure courier and destination compatibility.
We use product categories to assign HS codes to commodities that save merchants time researching tariff classifications. Also, the HS Code can be declared by the user.
Product Descriptions
Item description describes your product type, material, and/or purpose. For example, if your package contains clothing, describe it as 'women's cotton t-shirt,' rather than just 'shirt'.
Please avoid entering your internal codes or abbreviations, as the description should be clear and easily understood.
As the item description will be used for customs documents and checked during the clearance process, it is important that you enter specific and accurate information for faster processing.
Note that in certain countries, there may be added customs charges due to extended processing times for invalid descriptions.
Prohibited Items on Easyship
Many couriers have their own specific item restrictions, but more generally, there are goods that cannot be shipped with Easyship's services under any circumstance. We will reference the main products that we do not allow.
- Open batteries (batteries not contained within a product)
- Gasoline
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Perfume
- Cologne
- Explosives
- Firearms
- Gunpowder
- Illegal substances
- Ammunition
- Dry Ice
Dangerous Goods
There are 8 categories considered to be Dangerous Goods, below we address each category and its requirements.
Accessory (with battery)
- An SDS (Safety Data Sheet) that is updated to the current year, must be provided and attached to the parcel. Please confirm with Customer Service if you are unsure that the product will be accepted.
- Declare the Product Category correctly so that only battery service options are selectable.
Computers & Laptops
- An SDS (Safety Data Sheet) that is updated to the current year, must be provided and attached to the parcel. Please confirm with Customer Service if you are unsure that the product will be accepted.
- Declare the Product Category correctly so that only battery service options are selectable.
Cameras
- An SDS (Safety Data Sheet) that is updated to the current year, must be provided and attached to the parcel. Please confirm with Customer Service if you are unsure that the product will be accepted.
- Declare the Product Category correctly so that only battery service options are selectable.
Gaming
- An SDS (Safety Data Sheet) that is updated to the current year, must be provided and attached to the parcel. Please confirm with Customer Service if you are unsure that the product will be accepted.
- Declare the Product Category correctly so that only battery service options are selectable.
Health & Beauty
- An SDS (Safety Data Sheet) that is updated to the current year, must be provided and attached to the parcel. Please confirm with Customer Service if you are unsure that the product will be accepted.
- Declare the Product Category correctly so that only liquid carrying service options are selectable.
- Many countries have strict food and drug laws, to ensure that your products are compliant with destination import policies.
Mobile Phones
- An SDS (Safety Data Sheet) that is updated to the current year, must be provided and attached to the parcel. Please confirm with Customer Service if you are unsure that the product will be accepted.
- Declare the Product Category correctly so that only battery service options are selectable.
Tablets
- An SDS (Safety Data Sheet) that is updated to the current year, must be provided and attached to the parcel. Please confirm with Customer Service if you are unsure that the product will be accepted.
- Declare the Product Category correctly so that only battery service options are selectable.
Watches
- An SDS (Safety Data Sheet) that is updated to the current year, must be provided and attached to the parcel. Please confirm with Customer Service if you are unsure that the product will be accepted.
- Declare the Product Category correctly so that only battery service options are selectable.
Category List and Examples
- Accessory (no-battery)
E.G Charging Cables, Wired Earphones
- Accessory (with battery)
E.G Wireless Earphones
- Audio Video
E.G CD's, DVD's
- Bags & Luggage
E.G Suitcases, Handbags
- Books & Collectibles
E.G Books, Magazines
- Cameras
E.G Digital Cameras, DSLR's
- Computers & Laptops
E.G Laptops, Displays, Desktops
- Documents
E.G Paper, Booklets
- Dry Food & Supplements
E.G Protein Powder, Nuts
- Fashion
E.G Hoodies, T-Shirts
- Gaming
E.G Consoles, Portable Gaming Devices
- Health & Beauty
E.G Lipstick, Lotions
- Home Appliances
E.G Blender, Toaster
- Home Decor
E.G Paintings, Figures
- Jewelry
E.G Neckless, Bracelets
- Mobile Phones
E.G iPhones, Androids
- Pet Accessory
E.G Animal Toys, Collars
- Sport & Leisure
E.G Footballs, Sporting Equipment
- Tablets
E.G iPads, Kindles
- Toys
E.G Legos, Dolls
- Watches
E.G Wristwatches, Wall Clocks