Important update: FASCs are no longer prohibited from accepting certain lithium battery drop offs. So go ahead— accept those phones, computers, watches, and toys. Just make sure you use our guidelines to do it safely.

As part of your FASC agreement, you’re not allowed to ship dangerous goods and hazardous materials. This rule doesn’t just help you comply with government regulations. It helps protect you, your employees, customers, and FedEx drivers.

But here’s the thing. Making sure you don’t ship dangerous goods or hazardous materials isn’t always as easy as it sounds. Sure, red-flag category names are no-brainers. (Think explosives, compressed gases, flammable liquids and solids, radioactives, corrosives, etc.) But it can get tricky when specific items seem harmless and fly under the radar.

Take, for example:

• Nail polish and nail polish remover
• A cigarette lighter
• Perfumes and colognes
• A small can of oil-based paint
  
• An aerosol kitchen cleaner
• A box of sparklers and snaps for a Fourth of July celebration

See what we mean?

And there are other prohibited items you need to look out for, even though they’re not considered dangerous goods or hazardous materials.

These include:

• Tobacco and tobacco products. FedEx Express and FedEx Ground prohibit shipping of tobacco, including cigarettes, cigars, loose tobacco, smokeless tobacco, shisha, and e-cigarettes, plus any related components.
• Marijuana. Products containing marijuana can be sold under various names based on chemical content or which part of the plant they came from. Even if your customer says they are authorized to have cannabis, THC, or marijuana-derived CBD^*, they can’t ship it via FedEx. This rule applies even if medical or recreational marijuana is legal in the origin or destination state.
• Alcohol. Alcohol shipments to consumers are not allowed, and only a licensed alcohol wholesaler, dealer, distributor, manufacturer, or importer can ship wine via FedEx. Consumers are not allowed to ship wine. So unless your FASC is a licensed alcohol shipper, and the customer buys the alcohol or wine from your store, wine shipments are prohibited.

To protect your business and customers, take some time to refresh your memory on what to look for when it comes to dangerous goods, hazardous materials, and prohibited items. The FedEx Service Guide can help. Or if you have questions, call the FedEx Dangerous Goods/Hazardous Materials Hotline at 1.800.463.3399 (press 81 or say “dangerous goods”).

And be sure to display the new dangerous goods counter card in your store. It’s a useful reference tool for you, your employees, and customers. The card will be delivered to your store in June.

While you may not be able to ship your customers’ dangerous goods or prohibited items for them, you can still provide a service to them by giving them helpful information and resources on how to do it right.

If a customer tells you their shipment contains any dangerous goods or prohibited items, inform them that FedEx policy and U.S. federal law** don't allow you to ship the item and refuse the shipment. Let them know they can find information online about how and where to correctly ship dangerous goods or hazardous materials with FedEx.

If you suspect a package contains a prohibited item after you’ve accepted it, report it to your FedEx contact person or FedEx driver.

Have questions about your FASC agreement or shipping dangerous goods? Review the terms and conditions in the FedEx Service Guide and your agreement on FASCnet. If you need more help, email retailsupport@fedex.com.

^*CBD products are permitted if they contain both hemp-derived CBD with a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration of 0.3% or less and otherwise comply with all federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, and orders. 

**Hazardous materials include explosives, compressed gases, flammable liquids and solids, oxidizers, toxics, corrosives, and radioactive materials.  A violation can result in five years' imprisonment and penalties of $250,000, or more (49 U.S.C. 5124).