Transporting restricted items in vehicles on board

Depending on your route of travel, restricted items must be declared by calling your regional contact centre prior to travel without exception, and again at check-in.

 

24hrs notice is usually sufficient, however, passengers wishing to transport restricted items between Harwich and Hook of Holland must give at least 72hrs notice.

 

Please check the customer-centre opening hours for your region.

 

The responsibility for checking if substances or articles being transported need to be declared remains with the customer at all times; Stena Line can accept no responsibility for delay or refusal to accept such items for shipment if legal regulations or conditions have not been met.

 

Foot passengers

 

Foot passengers and passengers who are in a coach party can only carry personal grooming products in their luggage (except for passengers with medical conditions carrying prescription medicine).

 

Unless you are travelling in a car or motorhome with lockable, concealed compartment, the carriage of firearms, sporting weapons, ammunition, swords, knives, edged weapons and hazardous substances by foot passengers is prohibited at all times.[CA3] [CA4] [GM5]  Further information, if necessary, can be obtained from the Duty Manager at the port of departure.


Travel allowances for permitted restricted items 

 

The following items are generally permitted on board when stored safely in your vehicle and when carried for personal, recreational, or household use. For any restricted items not listed below, please check with your regional contact centre prior to bringing them on board.

 

  • Gas Cylinders (example for camping or cooking)

Max 3 cylinders with a combined weight of 47kg (for use in campervans, caravans, or ballooning).

 

  • Medical Oxygen

Up to 6 small cylinders (example for personal use while travelling). A doctor’s letter is required. Let us know at the time of booking.

 

  • Wall Paint and DIY Materials

You may carry up to 10 litres of flammable paint or related products (example thinners, varnish) in total. Containers must be sealed and secured.

 

  • Diving Equipment (including cylinders)

Max 6 cylinders per vehicle, size F or smaller (up to 60L total water capacity). Only allowed gases: compressed air (UN1002), oxygen (UN1072), or oxygen/nitrogen mix (UN3156). Must be declared at check-in. No flammable gases or liquids may be carried in the same vehicle. Other diving gear (e.g. wetsuits, fins, masks) is permitted if clean and safely stowed.

 

  • Fireworks (bought in Retail)

Max 5 kg in original retail packaging. Must be declared at check-in.

 

  • Lifejackets & Flares (for leisure boating)

Max per vehicle: 6 lifejackets, 6 handheld flares, 4 parachute flares, and 2 smoke floats. All items must be within test date and for personal use on leisure craft. Must be safely stowed and protected from heat or sparks.

 

  • Petrol or Diesel (Spare Fuel)

Max 5 litres, in an approved container only.

 

  • Personal Care Items

Hairsprays, toiletries and similar are fine in normal amounts.

 

All items exceeding the amounts indicated above must be declared to the Company by calling our Contact Centre at least 24 hours prior to the date and time of departure and again at the check-in booth / desk on arrival at the port. Acetylene Gas is not permitted for carriage at any time or under any circumstances.

 

Prohibited Items that cannot be brought on board

 

If any item is missing from the list below or you are in any doubt as to whether an item is restricted or not, please speak to a regional contact centre advisor at least 24hrs prior to travel or 72hrs if travelling on our route between Harwich and Hook of Holland.

 

  • Any item that exceeds the permitted quantities above
  • Commercial goods or use (including by contractors)
  • Open fuel containers or leaking packaging
  • Undeclared firearms, ammunition or fireworks
  • Flammable gases or liquids not listed above
  • Restricted items carried by foot passengers, except personal grooming products and authorised medical oxygen
  • Soil or plant debris attached to vehicle if muddy (see below)

 

Preparing to travel with restricted items

 

When preparing to travel with restricted items, it’s best to plan carefully to avoid delays, fines, or having your items confiscated. Here are a few pointers to remember:

 

  • Use approved containers (e.g., certified jerry cans for fuel)
  • Store items securely in your vehicle so they don’t shift during travel
  • Label hazardous goods if required
  • Keep safety caps, valves, and covers fitted tightly
  • Gas bottles may need to be turned off and secured

 

Weapons:

 

Carriage of Firearms & Ammunition on Stena Line Ferries, guidance based on Maritime Law (MGN 545 & IMDG Code)

 

Advance notice required: Passengers must inform the Company at the time of booking if they intend to carry firearms or ammunition. The minimum notice required is 24hrs on all routes except for Harwich to Hook of Holland which requires 72hrs advance notice.

 

Certificates: All firearms must be accompanied by a valid Firearm, Shotgun, or Registered Firearms Dealer (RFD) certificate. Certificates must be available for inspection by booking staff or port security.

 

Ammunition limits: Maximum 1000 cartridges (UN 0012 or UN 0014, Class 1.4S) per vehicle. Must be in original manufacturer’s packaging. Quantities above this must be declared and carried under the IMDG Code.

 

Storage & security: Firearms and ammunition must be securely stored and not visible inside the vehicle.

 

Medicines:

 

Everyday medicines (including tablets, liquids, inhalers, sprays) carried in normal personal quantities are permitted without declaration.

 

Medical devices containing very small quantities of dangerous goods (e.g. metered-dose inhalers, first aid antiseptics) are generally treated as excepted quantities and do not require IMDG documentation.

 

Declaration required:

 

Only if transporting bulk supplies or commercial quantities of medicinal dangerous goods (e.g. cases of medical gases or cartons of alcohol-based disinfectants).

 

Travelling to the EU? Clean your vehicle!

 

If you are travelling with a vehicle from the UK to the Netherlands, your vehicle must be cleaned of soil and plant material to prevent plant pests and diseases from entering the EU. Clean your car, all-terrain vehicle, excavator or camper before you reach the port.

 

Authorities in the Netherlands could inspect if your vehicle is clean on arrival leading to delays, cleaning costs or potential refusal of entry to the Netherlands.

 

Visit the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority for more information.

 

Official Guidance

 

The information supplied on this page is subject to a regional maritime law known as ‘The International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code’ and any respective, periodic updates, so it’s best to check with our contact centre and declare any restricted items prior to check-in before every trip. More information on how to download and review this law can be found on the International Maritime Organisation website.