Porhibited And Restricted Items

UPS International (Afghanistan)

Additional Import Documentation
Goods under IATA Special Provisions A67 require a MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet).

It is not required for all, however shipments can be held by local authority in United Arab Emirates after screening due to lack of MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) or NON DG (Dangerous Goods) declaration letter from the shipper resulting to misconnections and impacting end-to-end service.

It would be advisable for all shipments originating, transiting and terminating for UAE to have MSDS or NON DG declaration from shipper enclosed in the shipment and copies to be uploaded in IDIS.

Additional Export Documentation
No Information found on this topic for the selected country or territory.
Additional Clearance Information
Military Shipments:
All military cargo with destinations outside of Bagram in Northern Afghanistan, must have a transportation memo issued to be dispatched with the shipment(s).

The memo must be arranged by the consignee in Afghanistan and must be on an offical DOD (Department of Defense) or DOA (Department of Army) letterhead.

If the enclosed invoice cost does not match with actual contents of the shipment, or if it could not satisfy the local customs staff, real cost will be issued on the shipment based on the local customs rule and regulations.

Post Office Boxes:
UPS cannot deliver to a P.O. Box address. All packages require a consignee's contact name and complete street address including apartment, suite or unit number if applicable. The consignee's telephone number should be provided if known.
Areas Served
Commercial (for example,non military) shipments are only delivered to Kabul.For packages addressed to other towns/cities in Afghanistan,the consignee is contacted and they are asked either to collect from the Kabul office or supply/authorise delivery to an alternate address in Kabul.

Military Bases that can be served in Afghanistan directly without truck cost are: Bagram Airfield, Camp Phoenix, Camp KAIA and ISAF HQ (Kabul) and Kandahar Airbase.

Remote Area Military Bases that can be served in Afghanistan are listed in the Area Service Report and under Military Shipments. A truck cost will be applied for each location.

Post Office Boxes:
UPS cannot deliver to a P.O. Box address. All packages require a consignee's contact name and complete street address including apartment, suite or unit number if applicable. The consignee's telephone number should be provided if known.
Friday, and official holidays.
International Organizations and Embassies are off Friday and Saturday.
Spring +0450/ Fall +0450
Dari, Pushto
Afghani(AFA), US Dollar(USD)
Billing Options
  • Shipping charges can be billed to the shipper, receiver or a third party.
  • When billing the receiver, either the shipper or receiver's account number is required.
  • When billing to a third party, the third party's name, country or territory and account number are required.
  • Duties and taxes can be billed to the shipper, receiver or a third party.
  • When billing a third party, the third party's name, country or territory and account number are required.
  • If the duties and taxes are billed to an account outside of the destination country or territory, a "Duty and Tax Forwarding" surcharge will be applied.
  • Please note the following third party billing exceptions:
    • Shipments to and from the same country or territory (domestic shipments) cannot be billed to third party payors in other countries or territories. For example, shipments from Mexico to Mexico or Canada to Canada cannot be billed to a third party payor in the. This rule does not apply to UPS domestic services in European Union countries or territories. For example, shipments from Germany to Germany can be billed to a third party payor in the U.S. (as long as the payor is a business and has a VAT or Tax/EIN ID on file with UPS).
  • When paying by credit card, check, or cash, only the shipper can be billed the shipping charges.
Commodity Specific Stipulations

There are special stipulations on the following commodities when shipping to Afghanistan. If you plan to ship one of the commodities listed below, be sure to adhere to the following stipulations in order to avoid delays and holds at customs.

Samples are considered to be business items free of customs tax if the value is under 5,000 AFN (US$100.00), but laboratory tests will be done on it, and laboratory fees will be charged to the consignee. After the test, it will be decided if prohibited by the laws of Afghanistan and/or Islam or not.
Data shipments require an invoice with the character of the USB stick (storing intercompany data) and the value of the USB Stick.
Gift Exemptions
5000.00 Afghani AFA
individual-to-individual
per person
Invoice Requirements
Non-document shipments to Afghanistan must include 1 original and 2 copies of an invoice.

At least one original Invoice needs to accompany the shipment.

Shipments of documents and gift shipments do not require an invoice.

The original Invoice must be stamped and signed by the shipper to satisfy Customs in Afghanistan.

The consignee's valid local address, telephone number, mobile number and email address should appear on the invoice to avoid delays.

If the value of the Invoice exceeds 74.00 USD, the Invoice should be:

1) Original and stamped from shipper

2) A full description of goods and a Harmonized Tariff Code should be mentioned.

3) At least one original Invoice needs to accompany the shipment

4) In addition, a Certificate of Origin and a Packing List will be required as well as Export customs declaration form from origin country or territory (signed and stamped) and Payment transfer receipt between the consignee and shipper.Payment transfer receipt between the consignee and shipper.

5) Freight forwarding invoice (Bill / Invoice that was paid to the airfreight forwarder), signed and stamped, if available but not mandatory to process clearance process.


Items Classified as Documents

A document in Afghanistan is considered to be any item which contains information on paper, card, or carton, including pictures or photographs. A document cannot hold information or represent Islam in a negative fashion. It also cannot be prohibited.

Validated airline tickets only.
Must be for shareholders or for intercompany use only.
Must be for intercompany use or a bid invitation (such as architectural plans to obtain a contract) and have no commercial value.
Document limit: up to 15 business cards
Must be personalized checks.
Personalized credit cards.
Tickets for events like stage performances, football matches or concerts can be sent as documents provided the weight of each package does not exceed 5 kgs.

Event tickets coming from a printing company and sent to the organizer of the event or ticket sales offices can not be sent as documents.

Plastic magnetic cards (similar to credit cards) with a specific value assigned/debited to the card to purchase food, goods, or other merchandise typically relating to only one specific business or retailer. Only up to 5 gift cards can be considered documents
Must be personalized to be considered documents. Non-personalized greeting cards and invitations are considered non-documents and require an invoice.
The number of manuals must be appropriate for the purpose.
Must be negatives, slides, or printing films being sent to press or publishing agencies. If the value includes press or editorial charges, the items are considered non-documents and require an invoice.
Document: intercompany shipments for intercompany use with no commercial value. Non-document: shipments from a publisher or printing company
Must be for non-commercial purposes.
Must be personalized stationery and have no commercial value. The amount (number of pieces) must be appropriate for non-commercial use.
Must be personalized to be considered documents.

UPS can recommend which forms you need based on a few simple criteria. Forms can be completed online or printed. See which forms you need.
Prohibited or Restricted Commodities

In addition to the prohibited commodities listed here, it is prohibited to ship the following commodities to Afghanistan.

The import of all alcoholic beverages are strictly forbidden. Shipments containing alcoholic beverages should not be exported but held at the origin site because of penalties and fines.
Art and artwork which are prohibited by Islamic law cannot be imported into Afghanistan.
Books which are prohibited by Islamic law cannot be imported into Afghanistan.
CDs which are prohibited by Islamic law cannot be imported into Afghanistan. The content of the CD must be clearly stated on the invoice (for example, intercompany data, music with interpreter, author and title, software program). Shipments containing CD's with an inadequate description will be rejected or returned.
Importation of non-precious metals is prohibited into Afghanistan if:

  • Metals being used as,or part of anything armoured, Weapons/Ammunition
  • Any metals destined for a museum or considered an artifact

The Customs officials might question any given shipment containing non-precious metal and inquire about its final use.

Pictures and statues which are prohibited by Islamic law cannot be imported into Afghanistan.

Import of Artificial Christmas Trees

Please note if the shipment is for the military base then nothing is required, as there are no customs at Military Bases.

If the shipment is for the Kabul commercial side then it is consider as non docs which requires Invoice. Please see Invoice Requirements for more information.

Importation of Narcotics is prohibited into Afghanistan.
Personal effects cannot be shipped between these countries or territories.
Importation of precious metals/stones such as Gold, Silver, Diamonds, etc. is prohibited.
Weapons and ammunition can not be imported into Afghanistan, unless special authorization is granted.
Saturday Delivery Available

Saturday Delivery Available: Yes

Not available in all areas. Always check the international time in transit system for details of service availability within a country or territory.

Service Options

Always check Calculate Time and Cost for details of service availability and guarantee information within a country or territory. All Service Levels may not be available to or from every address within a country or territory.

  • UPS Worldwide Expedited
  • UPS Worldwide Express Saver
Special Clearance Requirements
The following Military Bases will incur truck charges:

Kandahar-Camp Wilson, Shah Wali Kot, Garmser/Dwyer, Maywand, Delaram, Ramrod, Ghecko, Lagman, Apache/Smart, Qalat, Lindsey, Lundell, Jelawar, Rath,Hawz e Madad, Warrior, Camp Rushmore, Heart, Wolverine, Shindad, Tarin Kowet and Walton.

Forwarded from Bagram:

Camp Eggers, Shank, Camp Marmal, Airborne, Altimur, Camp Blackhorse, Camp Clark, Camp Dubbs, Camp Lightening, Camp Morehead, Camp Rushmore, Camp Spann, Camp Four Corner and Gamberi.

New requirements have been implemented for small package shipments and are based on the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) 15, which is entitled "Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade". ISPM 15 was adopted internationally in 2002, and is gradually being introduced by countries or territories worldwide. Wood or wood products covered by ISPM 15 include items such as packing cases, boxes, crates, drums or similar packing, pallets, box pallets and other load boards, pallet collars and skids, but exclude such processed woods as orientated strand board, particle board, plywood or veneer, created using glue, heat and pressure or a combinations thereof, and, raw wood which is 6mm or less thick. It is recommended that if a question arises on this issue, please check with the authority that issues the Phytosanitary certificates in your country or territory.
Value Limits

Private Shipments

  • 5000.00 Afghani (AFA)
      • Value Limits (example, value below which tax/duty not charged) - Duties start at US$100.00 (5000.00 Afghanis)

    Commercial Shipments

  • 5000.00 Afghani (AFA)
      • Value Limits (example, value below which tax/duty not charged) - Duties start at US$100.00 (5000.00 Afghanis)

    Weight and Size Limits
    70 kg (150 lbs.) per package
    150.00 cm (59.1 in.)  per package
    400.00 cm (157.5 in.)  per package
    Length and girth combined


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