Prohibited & Restricted Items

Last Updated: July 2026

Prohibited & Restricted Items Policy

At Return Runner, we make returning online purchases simple by collecting your parcel directly from your chosen address, preparing it for return and handing it over to the appropriate courier or authorised drop-off point.

To protect our customers, drivers and courier partners, there are certain items we cannot collect or transport.

Because Return Runner hands parcels to major UK courier networks including Royal Mail, Evri, DPD, DHL, UPS, Yodel, InPost and others, all parcels must comply with the transport restrictions of those networks.

Royal Mail

Evri

DPD

DHL

UPS

Yodel

InPost

others

By booking a collection, you confirm that your parcel does not contain any prohibited or restricted items.

Items We Cannot Collect

The following items are strictly prohibited and must not be included in any parcel booked through Return Runner.

  • Explosives
  • Fireworks
  • Flares
  • Ammunition
  • Gunpowder
  • Detonators
  • Military explosives
  • Smoke devices
  • Petrol
  • Diesel
  • Kerosene
  • Paint
  • Paint thinner
  • Solvents
  • Adhesives
  • Varnish
  • Resin
  • Lighter fluid
  • BBQ lighting fluid
  • Fuel additives
  • Gas cylinders
  • Camping gas
  • Helium cylinders
  • Oxygen cylinders
  • CO₂ cylinders
  • Aerosols
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Propane
  • Butane
  • Acids
  • Bleach
  • Corrosive substances
  • Toxic chemicals
  • Laboratory chemicals
  • Pesticides
  • Herbicides
  • Radioactive materials
  • Firearms
  • Air rifles
  • Air pistols
  • Replica firearms
  • BB guns
  • Tasers
  • Pepper spray
  • Crossbows
  • Ammunition
  • Any weapon prohibited by UK law or courier regulations
  • Illegal drugs
  • Controlled substances
  • Counterfeit goods
  • Stolen property
  • Any item illegal to possess or transport
  • Medical waste
  • Clinical waste
  • Infectious substances
  • Biological samples
  • Human remains
  • Animal remains
  • Used needles or sharps
  • Animals
  • Birds
  • Fish
  • Reptiles
  • Insects
  • Livestock
  • Eggs intended for hatching
  • Fresh food
  • Frozen food
  • Chilled food
  • Meat
  • Dairy products
  • Seafood
  • Fruit and vegetables
  • Flowers requiring temperature control
  • Cigarettes
  • Cigars
  • Loose tobacco
  • Nicotine products where prohibited
  • Alcoholic beverages where prohibited by the receiving courier

We cannot collect:

  • Loose lithium batteries
  • Damaged batteries
  • Swollen batteries
  • Leaking batteries
  • Batteries not packaged safely

Electronic devices containing batteries may only be accepted where permitted by the receiving courier.

Some items may be accepted for collection but are carried entirely at the customer’s own risk.

These include:

  • Glass items
  • Ceramics
  • Mirrors
  • Picture frames
  • Artwork
  • Musical instruments
  • Televisions
  • Computer monitors
  • Fragile homeware
  • Antique items
  • Collectables

Acceptance of these items does not guarantee compensation if they are damaged during transport.

We strongly recommend that you do not send the following through Return Runner:

  • Cash
  • Coins
  • Jewellery
  • Watches
  • Precious metals
  • Precious stones
  • Gift cards
  • Lottery tickets
  • Passports
  • Identity documents
  • Securities
  • Rare collectables
  • Antiques
  • Cryptocurrency hardware wallets

These items may not be covered under our insurance or by the courier after handover.

Packaging Requirements

Customers are responsible for ensuring that:

  • The parcel is securely packaged before collection.
  • The contents are protected against normal transportation.
  • Old shipping labels have been removed or covered where possible.
  • The parcel can be safely handled by one person unless otherwise agreed.
  • The parcel is suitable for transport through a UK courier network.

Return Runner reserves the right to refuse collection if a parcel appears unsafe, insecurely packaged or likely to become damaged during transport.

Return Labels

If you upload a printable return label during booking, Return Runner will print and securely attach it to your parcel before it is handed to the relevant courier.

If your retailer provides a QR code instead, Return Runner will generate and print the appropriate shipping label where supported by the courier.

Customers are responsible for ensuring that the uploaded return label or QR code belongs to the correct retailer and matches the parcel being returned.

Where multiple parcels are collected, each parcel must have the correct corresponding return label or QR code.

Customer Declaration

By placing a booking with Return Runner, you confirm that:

  • Your parcel does not contain any prohibited items.
  • The information provided during booking is accurate.
  • Your parcel has been securely packaged.
  • Any uploaded return label or QR code relates to the correct parcel.
  • The contents comply with UK law and courier transport regulations.
  • You have read and accepted these Terms and Conditions.

If We Discover a Prohibited Item

If Return Runner believes that a parcel contains prohibited or unsafe contents, we may:

  • Refuse collection.
  • Cancel your booking.
  • Return the parcel to you.
  • Report the matter to the relevant authorities where legally required.

Any collection fee already paid may be non-refundable.

Liability

Return Runner acts as a collection and parcel preparation service.

Our responsibility begins when one of our drivers takes possession of your parcel.

Our responsibility includes:

  • Collecting your parcel.
  • Printing your return label where required.
  • Correctly attaching the label.
  • Preparing the parcel for dispatch.
  • Delivering the parcel to the correct authorised courier or official drop-off location.

Our responsibility ends once the parcel has been successfully handed over to the selected courier or authorised drop-off point and proof of handover has been recorded.

From that point onwards, responsibility for transportation and delivery transfers to the receiving courier in accordance with their own terms and conditions.

Questions?

If you are unsure whether your item can be collected, please contact us before making a booking.