Transporting of restricted items

Can I take extra fuel?

No. In line with safety regulations, spare containers of fuel should not be carried in private vehicles.

Can I travel with gas?

Under International and UK legislation passengers wishing to carry gases in cylinders (pressure or gas receptacles) need to comply with the following provisions which the Company are obliged to apply in accordance with the appropriate regulations. There may be other gases, not specifically listed below, that the Company can carry and which advice can be provided from our Freight Department. 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 or pre-advised to us at time of booking.

Propane and butane gas for private use only (i.e. camping purposes) may be carried in cylinders up to a total of 47 kg (excluding weight of gas receptacle).

Diving gases (including air) for personal use may be carried in private vehicles used to carry passengers and their personal diving equipment according to the following conditions: (i) Gas cylinders carried must be for the passenger’s personal use. (ii) The maximum number of cylinders carried per vehicle must be six, of size ‘F’ or smaller (i.e. up to 60 litres aggregate water capacity), containing either COMPRESSED AIR (UN1002), COMPRESSED OXYGEN (UN1072) or COMPRESSED GAS, OXIDISING N.O.S (Oxygen, Nitrous oxide) (UN3156) (this generally has the trade name ‘Entenox’) (iii) All cylinders should be secured within the vehicle to prevent movement. (iv) Other dangerous goods (including Flammable gases & Flammable liquids) shall not be carried in the same vehicle as these ‘diving-use’ gases under any circumstances.

Medical Oxygen for personal use carried in private vehicles (used to carry sick or disabled persons). Vehicles may carry up to 6, of size 'F' or smaller (i.e. up to 60 litres aggregate water capacity) containing UN 1072 – Compressed Oxygen, provided the patient has a letter from a doctor stating they require medical oxygen.

Calibration gas which is not toxic and is used solely for calibration purposes may be carried provided the aggregate water capacity of the pressure receptacles (cylinder) or small receptacles containing gas (gas cartridges) does not exceed 50 litres.

Non-Flammable gases (Class 2.2) may be accepted for shipment if they are transported at a pressure of less than 200 kPa at 20ºC and are not a liquefied or refrigerated liquefied gas. Note size F has 9.4 litres water capacity, with approximate dimensions 930mm x 140 mm.

Please be aware that transport requirements apply equally to nominally empty cylinders, as International regulations consider ‘empty’ pressure receptacles (cylinders) as Dangerous Goods unless purged and where a certificate confirming this accompanies the cylinder. Except when being used in medical applications, the gas supply should always be shut off for the cylinders carried for the purposes mentioned above; all cylinders should be adequately secured against movement of the ship and away from sources of ignition and heat. We reserve the right to check if a cylinder is empty or request a certificate as proof of cleaning / purging if cylinders are carried and declared to us as ‘empty’. All items 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.

Can I travel on a ferry with firearms and/or ammunition?

Firearms, sporting weapons and ammunition will only be carried in accordance with strict Company Policy, which takes into consideration all the statutory and/or legislative regulations that are applicable to our routes at the time of travel. Firearms, sporting weapons and ammunition must be declared to the Company at the time of booking by calling our Contact Centre. This booking and declaration must take place at least 24 hours prior to the time of departure and must also be declared again at the check-in booth / desk on arrival at the port. You may also be required to travel on a freight ticket depending on the items carried. As legislation can change we reserve the right to amend our terms and conditions of carriage accordingly at short notice. 

A maximum of 1000 cartridges of UN Class 1.4s may be carried in a private vehicle without documentation provided that the cartridges are in the original manufacturers packaging. Quantities in excess of this amount, or which are not Class 1.4s, must be declared and carried according to the full provisions of the IMDG Code; and only if the vessels "Dangerous Goods Document of Compliance" permits such carriage.  Ammunition in higher quantities than 1000 cartridges which would only be carried when supported by a Dangerous Goods declaration must be booked and ticketed via our Freight Department (and this will also be dependent on the vessel / route requested, and if it is authorised to do so according to statutory vessel certification). These enquiries should be referred to our Freight Reservations department.

It is a requirement that any firearm is always supported by the issue of a licence which is appropriate to the country of departure and/or destination, which should be available for inspection if requested. When a vehicle carrying firearms arrives at the port our Duty Manager and the Port Security will then be notified and locally documented procedures will then be implemented to ensure that the following actions occurs, as appropriate: 

The firearms, sporting weapons and ammunition will remain in the vehicle for the duration of the crossing provided that:

a) The firearms, sporting weapons and ammunition are out of sight and secured in a suitable locked box in the boot of the vehicle.

b) The loading officer or his nominated deputy has confirmed that all doors to the vehicle are locked.

c) Vehicle passengers will remain under close supervision until they have left the car deck.

When the ship arrives at its destination the procedure will operate in reverse according to local documented procedures in that port.

It is the guest's responsibility to have all of the necessary information on the weapons, serial numbers, hunting licences, weapons permits as appropriate. 

Foot passengers

The carriage of firearms, sporting weapons, ammunition, swords, knives, edged weapons and hazardous substances by foot passengers is prohibited at all times. Further information, if necessary, can be obtained from the Duty Manager at the port of departure. 

Can I travel with dangerous goods?

It is not permitted to travel with Dangerous Goods, Firearms or Ammunition without our prior permission. Compliance with all applicable regulations, as prevailing at the time of booking and travel, and where appropriate presenting on request any relevant declarations or licences, need to be adhered to by the person responsible for the vehicle at all times. Dangerous Goods for Transport by Sea, as regulated in the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code includes substances or articles classified and identified in the following categories:

• Explosive substances or articles (Class 1)
• Gases (flammable, non-flammable, toxic – Class 2.1, 2.2 or 2.3)
• Flammable Liquids (Class 3) 
• Flammable Solids (Class 4.1, 4.2 or 4.3)
• Oxidizing Substances and Organic Peroxides (Class 5.1 or 5.2)
• Toxic and Infectious Substances (Class 6.1 or 6.2) 
• Radioactive material (Class 7)
• Corrosive Substances (Class 8) 
• Miscellaneous Dangerous substances and articles (Class 9)
• Marine Pollutants (according to MARPOL regulations)

It is impractical to list specifically items that are classified as Dangerous Goods as it is a non-exhaustive list. 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. 

Can I bring pork or pork products into Great Britain from the EU or EFTA?

From 1 September 2022 it is illegal to bring pork or pork products over 2kg into Great Britain from the EU and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries unless these products have the EU health mark or they are commercially packaged as ‘of EU origin’. This does not apply to commercial imports, which remain unaffected by the measure.