Our service is designed for the shipment of clothes, shoes, books, and other items that do not require additional packaging when placed in a suitcase or a sturdy double-walled cardboard box. If you choose to send items that do not fall into the category of standard overweight baggage, you must ensure that the items are packed securely and suitably for transport through an automated network. Your suitcase or box may be stacked with other items and will be moved on automated belts and go down sorting chutes. For this reason, we cannot accept plastic laundry bags, garbage bags, or similar items.
PROHIBITED ITEMS
Many items are completely prohibited across all services, such as aerosols, flammable liquids, and loose batteries. Certain items, like lithium batteries contained in small electronic devices and food, can be shipped on specific routes but are subject to particular restrictions.
FRAGILE ITEMS INCLUDING CERAMICS, GLASSWARE
All items are handled with care, however, as your shipment will move through the automated network, we prohibit the shipment of items made of materials such as glass or porcelain, regardless of the level of packaging. Scanners and automated machines cannot read stickers indicating ‘fragile’ or ‘this side up.’
For the same reason, non-standard overweight items such as electrical items (televisions) and furniture (including flatpack) are sent at the owner’s risk and are excluded from damage coverage; please see our Terms of Service for more information.
SPORTS EQUIPMENT AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
For information on shipping sports equipment or a musical instrument, please select the appropriate question below:
The items prohibited in all Sparrow services include, but are not limited to: aerosols (or any pressurized container), perfume, nail polish (or any other flammable liquids), ink/toner cartridges, tobacco, alcohol, money (including coins), medication, and perishable foods.
Please see the full list of prohibited items in our terms and conditions.
AEROSOLS STRICTLY PROHIBITED
Aircraft security regulations for unaccompanied baggage strictly prohibit the shipment of aerosols (or any other pressurized container), such as deodorant, hairspray, paint spray, etc. These items cannot be sent under any circumstances with Sparrow services.
FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS STRICTLY PROHIBITED
Aircraft security regulations for unaccompanied baggage strictly prohibit the shipment of flammable liquids of any kind. This includes obviously flammable liquids such as lighter fluid (cigarette lighters should not be sent) and other solvents marked as flammable, but also less obvious flammable liquids such as colognes, nail polish, and perfume. These items cannot be sent under any circumstances with Sparrow services.
TOILETRIES AND OTHER LIQUIDS, PASTES, AND GELS
Liquids, pastes, and gels of any kind, including toiletries, are completely prohibited on all international express routes. Most liquids, pastes, and gels (excluding flammables like nail polish and perfume) such as shower gel are also prohibited.
Important: Battery Policy
Loose Batteries & PowerBanks
We cannot accept shipments containing loose batteries or battery packs. Batteries can only be sent when included in a functional device according to the following guidelines.
Powerbanks are strictly prohibited on all services.
Lithium Batteries
Lithium batteries are a type of rechargeable battery found in mobile phones, tablets, laptops, cameras, portable speakers, wireless gaming controllers, wireless keyboards, and many other devices.
Lithium batteries pose a serious fire risk, and safety regulations are in place worldwide regarding the shipment of devices containing lithium batteries.
You are permitted to send ONLY ONE device containing a lithium battery.
The one device containing a lithium battery must be in functional condition. The device must be turned off and packed in such a way that it cannot be accidentally turned on during transport. The device must also be packed away from any other items that could cause a short circuit.
Alkaline Batteries
Alkaline batteries such as AA and AAA batteries sold by brands like Duracell and Energizer are permitted to be sent (except to/from Australia and China*) as long as they are inside a functional device. Never send loose alkaline batteries or battery packs.
DO NOT risk sending prohibited items
All shipments are x-rayed and subject to security inspections. If you include prohibited items, your shipment will not be loaded onto an aircraft and will be returned to you or, in some countries, may be confiscated. No refunds are provided for shipments returned under these conditions.
You can send foods such as fruits and vegetables, and dairy products only with the air service and only to the European Union and only during months of low temperatures (excluding June, July, and August) as shipments are carried out in ambient conditions and not in refrigerated containers.
Confectionery and other dry foods like sweets/candies, chips, and biscuits can be sent using both the economy and flexy services.
Olive oil and alcohol are permissible but only after sending an email to our company for quantity and destination country checks, and cost information since the transport of these two items does not adhere to the prices listed on the online platform.
We cannot accept shipments containing any type of loose batteries, battery packs, or packages containing multiple batteries. Batteries can only be sent when included in a functional device according to the following guidelines. You can send devices such as tablets, portable speakers, wireless gaming controllers, and generally wireless devices that contain batteries.
Powerbanks are strictly prohibited on all services.
We cannot accept shipments containing any type of loose batteries, battery packs, or packages containing multiple batteries. Batteries can only be sent when included in a functional device according to the following guidelines. This means you can send devices such as tablets, portable speakers, wireless gaming controllers, and generally wireless devices that contain batteries.
Powerbanks are strictly prohibited on all services.
Yes! All types of sports equipment are shipped daily through the Sparrow network. The service is used by professional athletes and those taking sports vacations worldwide.
PREPARING YOUR SPORTS EQUIPMENT FOR TRAVEL
We strongly recommend packing your bicycle, golf clubs, skis, snowboards, surfboards, and all other sports equipment according to the manufacturer’s instructions and sending them in an approved cargo travel case. Sparrow’s coverage is valid only when your equipment is shipped in such a case. If your equipment is shipped in any other way, please ensure that your sports or travel insurance fully covers you.
If an approved travel case is not available, it is recommended to first place the equipment in a standard soft or hard travel case and then pack it securely in a double-walled cardboard box. For travel cases that may not fit in a standard square box, such as golf clubs or skis, you will find many online stores that sell cardboard boxes specifically designed for these items.
If you do not have a travel case, we recommend extensively wrapping your sports equipment with bubble wrap and other suitable packing materials before securing it in a double-walled cardboard box. When items such as bicycles are placed in boxes without adequate packaging, the handlebars or pedals may protrude from the box and be damaged. You should also add extra protection to any points that may be particularly vulnerable to damage, such as wrapping the heads of golf clubs with towels to ensure they cannot move or covering the fins of a surfboard with foam blocks. Your sports equipment will travel on automated belts and go down sorting chutes, so you must ensure it is fully packed.
Golf clubs placed in a standard golf bag and then in a soft travel case will be accepted, but Sparrow’s coverage will not apply. Other sports equipment shipped in a soft case may be rejected by the collection driver.
If accepted, this does not constitute acknowledgment that the packaging is adequate, and supplementary coverage does not apply.
Yes!
Musical instruments such as guitars must be prepared for transport according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This may initially include steps such as loosening the strings and providing extra support for areas like the guitar’s neck within the case. You must also ensure that the instrument fits snugly within the hard case or cardboard box, and take care to fill and protect any vulnerable areas both inside and out with bubble wrap.
After securing the instrument inside its hard case (soft gig bags are not suitable), the case must be placed inside a sturdy double-walled cardboard box filled with appropriate packing materials, such as bubble wrap, packing peanuts, or similar items that suspend the instrument case within the box.
Your musical instrument will travel on automated belts and down sorting chutes, which cannot read labels like “this side up” or “fragile.” Therefore, you must ensure that your instrument is fully packed for this type of transport. The packing material is crucial as it will absorb the shock when the box slides down the sorting chutes.
Instrument cases are often just a layer of polystyrene covered with canvas or plastic. These cases are designed to carry your instrument but not to ship it.
If you choose to send a musical instrument without placing it in a box, be aware that when a case slides down a sorting chute, the case will provide little shock absorption, and the case or the instrument may be damaged. Sparrow cannot consider any claims for damage in such instances.
If your instrument is shipped packed in any other way, please ensure that your specialized musical instrument insurance or travel insurance fully covers you.
