What you can ship with LugLess (and what is prohibited)
A clear list of allowed items, prohibited goods, and packing rules so your shipment avoids delays, penalties, or voided coverage.
LugLess primarily ships luggage, clothing, and sports equipment like skis, snowboards, and golf clubs. Some items are prohibited from our shipments for safety and regulatory reasons, and others are allowed but not covered by Value Protection. Always check before you ship to avoid delays, penalties, or voided coverage.
What you can ship with LugLess
LugLess is built for the things you would typically check on a flight. Travel-related gear, packed luggage, and durable items that can handle a few days in a carrier network are exactly what we specialize in. Most shipments are clothing, sports equipment, or boxed personal items, and our Value Protection is designed around those categories.
The most common items our customers ship include:
Clothing and personal items
Suitcases and duffel bags
Sports equipment, including golf clubs, skis, and snowboards
Packed boxes of non-fragile household items
If you are new to the process, here is a full walkthrough of shipping luggage with LugLess.
Items allowed but not recommended by LugLess
Some items will physically make it through the carrier network, but we do not recommend shipping them, and they are not covered by LugLess Value Protection. If something goes wrong in transit, you are on your own.
Items in this gray area include:
Electronics
Laptops, tablets, monitors, and TVs
Fragile items
Glass, ceramics, and framed art
Books
Heavy and prone to shifting in transit
Musical instruments
Often delicate and high-value
Small appliances
Better shipped through retailers
Artwork
Original or framed pieces
Surfboards
High risk of damage, not covered by Value Protection
These items are shipped at your own risk. If you decide to ship them anyway, pack with extra cushioning and skip the heirlooms.
What items are prohibited from LugLess shipments
These items cannot be shipped with LugLess under any circumstances. They are prohibited because of safety regulations, carrier rules, or federal law, and shipping them voids all warranties, guarantees, and Value Protection.
Hazardous and dangerous goods
- Flammable or combustible materials (gasoline, lighter fluid)
- Explosives, including fireworks
- Aerosols of any kind (shaving cream, sunscreen, hairspray, body spray, bug repellent, CO2 cartridges)
- Poisons, corrosive chemicals, tear gas, mace, and pepper spray
- Dry ice and infectious substances
Alcohol and restricted substances
- Alcoholic beverages
- Anything containing alcohol, including perfume, cologne, nail polish, and hand sanitizer
- Illegal narcotics
- Prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements
- Medical equipment, including test meters
Batteries and electronics with batteries
- All wet or lithium batteries
- Batteries integrated into electronic devices like cell phones, laptops, tablets, and personal audio devices
- Vapes and e-cigarettes
Weapons and regulated items
- Firearms and ammunition
- Gambling devices
- Tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and pipes
Valuables and currency
- Cash, coins, and currency
- Stocks, bonds, and other negotiable instruments
- Gift cards, money orders, and traveler's checks
- Lottery tickets
Other prohibited items
- Food, spices, oils, and any other perishable or organic matter
- Live animals, including pets and insects
- Animal carcasses and meat or poultry products
- Human remains, including cremated remains
- Hazardous waste, used hypodermic needles, and medical waste
A note on compliance: Shipping hazardous materials in violation of federal regulations can result in civil penalties of up to $75,000 per violation, and up to $175,000 if the violation results in serious injury or property damage.
Why some items are restricted or prohibited by air
The list is not arbitrary. Carriers like FedEx and UPS have strict rules about what can move through their networks, and many of those rules are set by federal law. Aerosols, batteries, and flammable materials can become hazardous under the pressure and temperature changes of air transport. Medications, alcohol, and tobacco are regulated at the state and federal level. Cash and valuables are not covered by any carrier insurance, so shipping them creates risk no one wants to absorb.
These restrictions protect everyone. The carriers that move your bag, the warehouse and delivery teams that handle it, and you, the person waiting for it to arrive in one piece.
Quick reference: What you can and cannot ship with LugLess
| Category | Allowed | Not Recommended | Prohibited |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clothing | ✓ | ||
| Suitcases and duffel bags | ✓ | ||
| Sports equipment | ✓ | ||
| Electronics | ✓ | ||
| Fragile items (glass, ceramics) | ✓ | ||
| Books and artwork | ✓ | ||
| Surfboards | ✓ | ||
| Medication | ✓ | ||
| Batteries | ✓ | ||
| Alcohol | ✓ | ||
| Aerosols | ✓ | ||
| Cash and valuables | ✓ | ||
| Food and perishables | ✓ |
What happens if you ship a prohibited item with LugLess
Carriers reserve the right to inspect, refuse, or confiscate any shipment that contains prohibited goods. If a prohibited item is found, your shipment may be delayed, rerouted, or discarded without notice or reimbursement.
Shipping prohibited items also voids any LugLess warranties, guarantees, and Value Protection on the entire shipment, even for items that would normally be covered. And depending on the item, you could face civil penalties under federal hazardous materials regulations, including fines that climb into the tens of thousands of dollars.
Short version: when in doubt, leave it out.
How to make sure your items are safe to ship with LugLess
A quick checklist before you pack:
Confirm every item is allowed before it goes in the bag
Leave fragile, irreplaceable, or high-value items at home
Pack securely for several days of transit, not just a quick flight
Double-check the prohibited list, especially for aerosols and batteries that are easy to forget about
Reach out to LugLess support if you are not sure about a specific item
For a full overview of the process, see how LugLess works. When you are ready to ship, the shipping calculator will price out your bag in seconds.
Frequently asked questions about LugLess shipping restrictions
Can I ship electronics with LugLess?
Electronics with built-in batteries, like laptops, tablets, and cell phones, are prohibited because of carrier rules around lithium batteries. Other electronics may technically ship through the network but are not covered by Value Protection and travel at your own risk. We recommend keeping electronics with you in your carry-on.
Can I ship food or liquids?
No. Food, spices, oils, and other perishable or organic items are prohibited. Liquids that contain alcohol, including perfume, cologne, and hand sanitizer, are also prohibited regardless of size.
Are valuables covered if they are lost or damaged?
Cash, jewelry, and similar valuables are prohibited and not covered. LugLess Value Protection covers clothing and sports equipment only. For everything else, we recommend keeping it with you when you travel.
Can I ship medication in my luggage?
No. All medications are prohibited, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements. Pack any medication you need in your carry-on so it travels with you.
What happens if I accidentally ship a prohibited item?
Carriers may inspect, refuse, delay, or discard the shipment. Shipping a prohibited item also voids LugLess Value Protection on the full shipment and can result in federal penalties depending on the item. If you realize you have packed something prohibited after drop-off, contact support right away.
Can I ship fragile items like glass or ceramics?
Fragile items can technically ship, but they are not recommended and not covered by Value Protection. Carrier networks are not designed for delicate goods, and breakage is common. If you have to ship fragile items, pack them with serious cushioning and ship at your own risk.
Pack smart. Ship confidently.
Stick to the allowed list and let LugLess handle the rest. Your bag will meet you at your destination.