Prohibited Goods Policy
What items cannot be shipped and what to do if your package is flagged
Important
Shipping prohibited or restricted items can result in package seizure, additional fees, and delays. Please review this guide carefully before sending any packages.
What Are Prohibited Goods?
Prohibited goods are items that cannot be shipped via air or ocean freight due to safety regulations, customs laws, or carrier restrictions. These rules are set by international aviation authorities (IATA), maritime regulations, and Kenyan customs (KRA).
When you ship packages through Kentex Cargo, our warehouse team inspects all incoming items. If a prohibited or restricted item is found, it will be flagged and you will be notified immediately so we can resolve the situation together.
Before placing any order or sending packages to our warehouse, please review the list below to ensure your items are eligible for shipment.
Full Prohibited Items List
Strictly Prohibited (Cannot Ship Under Any Circumstances)
- Weapons, firearms, and ammunition
- Explosives, fireworks, and flares
- Flammable liquids, gases, and aerosols
- Illegal drugs and controlled substances
- Live animals and plants
- Perishable food items
- Counterfeit or pirated goods
- Human remains or biological samples
- Radioactive materials
- Corrosive chemicals
- Currency and bearer instruments
Restricted Items (Require Special Handling or Documentation)
- Lithium batteries: Must comply with IATA packing instructions; standalone lithium batteries are not allowed by air
- Electronics with built-in batteries: Must be declared on the shipping form
- Perfumes and cosmetics: Limited to small quantities; alcohol-based products have additional restrictions
- Dietary supplements: Must have valid labeling and documentation
- Prescription medications: Require a valid prescription and may need KRA clearance
- Alcohol and tobacco: Subject to Kenya import duties and quantity limits
Tip: When in Doubt, Ask First
If you are unsure whether an item is allowed, contact our support team before shipping. We can advise you on restrictions and help avoid delays.
What Happens If My Item Is Flagged
If our warehouse team identifies a prohibited or restricted item in your shipment, the following process is initiated:
The Return Process
Step-by-Step Return Workflow
- Receive notification - Check your email/SMS and your Kentex Cargo account for details about the flagged item.
- Purchase a prepaid return shipping label - Buy a return label from any major carrier (USPS, UPS, FedEx) addressed to your US location. The label must be a PDF file.
- Upload the return label - Go to your Prohibited Cases page in your account and upload the PDF return label.
- Pay the return handling fee - A $20 handling fee applies to cover warehouse processing for the return.
- Warehouse processes the return - Our staff will print the label, package the item, and hand it off to the carrier.
- Track your return - You will receive carrier tracking information once the item is shipped back to you.
Important Notes
- - The return label must be a prepaid PDF label. We cannot accept screenshots or photos of labels.
- - Non-prohibited items in the same shipment will continue to be processed normally.
- - If no action is taken within the timeframe specified in your notification, the item may be disposed of per our policy.
Return Handling Fee
The $20 handling fee covers the cost of warehouse staff time to separate the prohibited item from your shipment, repackage it for return, print your return shipping label, and coordinate with the carrier for pickup.
This fee is in addition to the cost of your prepaid return shipping label, which you purchase separately from your chosen carrier.
How to Upload a Return Label
- 1 Log In to Your Account Sign in to your Kentex Cargo account at kentexcargo.com
- 2 Go to Prohibited Cases Navigate to the "Prohibited Cases" page from your dashboard or the link in your notification email
- 3 Select the Case Find the case for your flagged item and click on it to view details
- 4 Upload Your PDF Label Click the upload button and select your prepaid return shipping label (PDF format only)
- 5 Confirm and Pay Review the details, pay the $20 handling fee, and submit. Our warehouse team will take it from there.
Tracking Your Case
You can track the progress of any prohibited goods case from your account. Each case shows a timeline of events so you know exactly where things stand.
Case Status Meanings
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just have the item disposed of instead of returned?
Please contact our support team to discuss disposal options. In some cases we can dispose of the item for you, but this depends on the type of item.
Will my other items in the same shipment be delayed?
No. The prohibited item is separated from your shipment, and all other eligible items will continue through our normal processing pipeline without delay.
What if I disagree with the classification?
If you believe your item was incorrectly flagged, please contact our support team with your case number. Our team will review the classification and work with you to resolve it.
How long do I have to respond?
The notification you receive will include a response deadline. We recommend acting as quickly as possible to avoid any complications or disposal of unclaimed items.
Can a previously returned item be re-flagged?
Yes. If an item that was previously part of a resolved case is sent again and still falls under prohibited categories, it will be flagged again and the full process will restart.
Where can I view my prohibited cases?
Log in to your Kentex Cargo account and navigate to the "Prohibited Cases" section. You can view all open and resolved cases with a full timeline of events.