Key takeaways
- Canada Post does not accept lithium batteries for international mail outside the U.S. (phones, laptops, power banks)
- Cannabis cannot be exported; alcohol, tobacco and firearms are controlled
- India bans gold, silver and precious stones by post; Canada Post also lists jewellery, phones and rice as prohibited to India
- Balikbayan boxes must hold personal and household effects only, not commercial quantities
- Never send cash in a parcel
Two sets of rules: Canada’s and the destination’s
An item must pass three checks:
- The carrier’s rules. Canada Post, couriers and forwarders each have their own lists. For example, Canada Post says lithium batteries can only be shipped within Canada and to the U.S.
- Canada’s export rules. Controlled goods such as firearms need permits, and cannabis cannot legally be exported.
- The destination country’s import rules. India and the Philippines each ban or restrict certain items.
If any one of these says no, the parcel may be returned, held or destroyed, and you may lose the shipping fee.
Items to avoid in any parcel
- Lithium batteries and devices with them (phones, laptops, tablets, power banks, e-cigarettes) by Canada Post outside the U.S. Couriers may accept some devices under air safety rules; always ask first.
- Cash, cheques and gift cards. They are hard to trace and usually not covered. Send money through a regulated provider instead.
- Alcohol, tobacco and vaping products, firearms and cannabis. Canada Post treats these as controlled items with special rules.
- Perishable food, liquids, powders, plants and animals. These appear on Canada Post’s non-mailable or restricted lists.
- Flammable or pressurized items: aerosols, perfume in large amounts, nail polish, lighter fluid, paint.
India: banned and restricted items
From Canada Post’s India page and Indian customs FAQs (checked October 2026):
- Prohibited by Canada Post to India: jewellery, telephones and cell phones, rice and cereals, animal and vegetable fats and oils, live animals, lottery tickets, money orders, unused cheques, unsigned credit cards.
- Not allowed by post under Indian customs: gold, silver, precious and semi-precious stones in any form; perishable goods; animals and plants.
- Restricted by India: alcohol, antiques, drugs and pharmaceuticals, animal products and precious stones.
- Duty: there is no duty-free allowance for gifts by post or courier, except life-saving medicines and rakhi.
Read the full guide to sending parcels to India.
Philippines: balikbayan box rules
The Bureau of Customs says balikbayan boxes must contain personal and household effects only, not in commercial quantities and not for sale. Prohibited goods, restricted goods not allowed by law, and regulated goods without permits are not allowed. Forwarders usually refuse cash, jewellery, weapons, fresh food and flammable items.
Read the full balikbayan box guide.
Printable packing checklist
- ☐ No batteries or devices with lithium batteries (if using Canada Post)
- ☐ No cash, cheques or gift cards
- ☐ No gold, jewellery or precious stones
- ☐ No alcohol, tobacco, vaping products or cannabis
- ☐ No fresh or perishable food, plants or seeds
- ☐ No aerosols, paint or flammable liquids
- ☐ Medicines only with a prescription and after checking the destination’s rules
- ☐ Every item listed on the customs form with a real value
- ☐ Photo of the contents and the sealed box saved
- ☐ Receipt and tracking number saved
Next steps
Once you know what you can send, check the cost with our parcel cost calculator and compare options in the shipping guide. If most of what your family needs is banned or bulky, sending money may be easier.
Common questions
Can I send a laptop or phone home from Canada?
Not by Canada Post to countries other than the U.S., because of the lithium battery rule. Couriers may accept devices under air safety rules; ask before you book. India also lists phones as prohibited by post.
Can I mail cash to my family?
You should not. Cash in parcels is usually not covered if lost, and many countries forbid it. Use a bank or a regulated money transfer service.
Can I send medicine home?
Only after checking the destination’s rules. India restricts pharmaceuticals but exempts life-saving medicines for personal use under conditions. In the Philippines, regulated items need permits. Include a prescription.
Can I send food from Canada?
Perishable food cannot go by Canada Post. Some sealed, shelf-stable foods are accepted by couriers and forwarders, but India bans rice and cereals by Canada Post. Ask your carrier.
What happens if I send a banned item?
The parcel may be returned, held for a fine or destroyed, and you may lose the shipping fee. A false customs declaration can lead to penalties.