Don't send toothpicks to Nigeria

A LIST of items that cannot be sent abroad has been released as people are reminded of the last posting dates for Christmas.

Royal Mail warned shoppers that a variety of goods are prohibited by different countries, from filled pasta, banned by the Netherlands, to toothpicks, which cannot be sent to Nigeria.

Italy will not accept sugar, or sweets made with sugar, while Russia has a ban on honey being sent through the post. Further afield, motorbike helmets cannot be sent to New Zealand, while Japan does not accept original paintings.

Royal Mail is expecting millions of presents to be sent from the UK. The last posting date for South and Central America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, Far East, Asia, New Zealand and Australia is today.

People wanting to send parcels to the USA, Canada and eastern Europe have until Friday, while for western Europe the final date is 13 December.