What you can and can't ship with DPD — battery, weapon, food, medicine, valuables and perfume rules in one place.
DPD's EU road network accepts most everyday parcels but restricts several categories, especially outside the EU where its ground-only network has fewer options than DHL or FedEx's air services. Below is a consolidated view of DPD's rules across the item categories shippers ask about most.
Batteries in devices: accepted. Standalone batteries: ground services only, not available on all international routes from Portugal.
Cash: prohibited. Jewellery and watches: accepted within EU with declared value, subject to value limits per route. High-value items: check route-specific limits.
Firearms: prohibited. Knives: accepted for most EU destinations with correct declaration. Bladed sports equipment (fencing swords, etc.): accepted. Non-EU destinations: check specific country rules.
Non-prescription health products and supplements: accepted within EU. Prescription medicines: route and destination dependent. Not available for all international destinations.
Packaged food: accepted within EU with standard declaration. Fresh perishables: not recommended — DPD does not offer temperature-controlled services. Check destination country rules for non-EU.
Perfumes: accepted for EU road services from Portugal. Aerosols: check per route. Declared dangerous goods accepted up to 1L alcohol content per parcel.
Rules vary by route and change periodically — always confirm with DPD's current dangerous goods policy before booking a restricted item.
Yes, on EU road services from Portugal. Aerosols depend on the specific route. Declared dangerous goods (alcohol-based products) are accepted up to 1 litre of alcohol content per parcel.
Batteries installed in devices are accepted. Standalone/spare batteries are only accepted on ground services and aren't available on every international route from Portugal — check availability for your specific destination.
Cash is prohibited. Jewellery and watches are accepted within the EU with a declared value, subject to value limits that vary by route — check the specific limit for your destination before booking.
Not recommended. DPD does not offer temperature-controlled services, so fresh perishables risk spoilage in transit. Packaged, non-perishable food is accepted within the EU with a standard customs declaration.
Yes, for most EU destinations with the correct declaration, including bladed sports equipment like fencing swords. Firearms are prohibited. For non-EU destinations, check the specific country's rules before booking.
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