What the post office won’t accept in your holiday boxes

As the holidays approach, packages are being sent off left and right. Whether you’re mailing loved ones gifts or anxiously waiting for your own, the mail carriers have their hands full.

However, nothing can dampen the season of giving like a package being denied in the post office. Not everything can be mailed and while few restricted items are obvious, there anre others that  you would likely never expect to be on a banned list.

So, before you risk your package getting denied, or worse seized, here are a few interesting items that are either restricted, or straight-up illegal to mail.

1. Toy Caps
Sounds crazy but you know those little toy caps that make a pop sound? USPS classifies them as “small explosives.” They fall into the same category as fireworks, empty primed grenades, and some small arms ammunition.

2. Motor Vehicle Master Keys
It’s illegal to send these through the mail because of obvious security concerns. (Basically, the post office doesn’t want to be an accessory to grand theft auto.)

3. Turtles
Yep, turtles. Along with snakes and poisonous reptiles, they’re considered nonmailable. No matter how cute they are, they’re staying put.

4. Alcohol
Even if it’s a birthday gift for your buddy, mailing alcohol is a no-go under USPS regulations.

5. Controlled Substances
Mailing illegal drugs, or even prescription meds without the right documentation, is a serious offense. Only authorized medical distributors can legally ship certain medications.

Before you send anything questionable, double-check the official USPS restricted items list. The last thing you want is your package disappearing into postal limbo.