A safety checklist for carrying someone else's items
Peer-to-peer luggage arrangements need extra care. Before agreeing to carry an item for somebody else, travellers and senders should establish what the item is, whether it is lawful and inspectable, and which airline and customs requirements apply.
- Identify and inspect the item in person
- Check airline and customs rules independently
- Agree on handover and declarations before travel
1. Know exactly what you are carrying
Require an accurate item description and inspect the goods before taking possession. Refuse sealed, inaccessible, misdescribed, suspicious or unknown items. Do not rely solely on a sender's reassurance.
2. Check prohibited and restricted categories
Airline, security, export and import rules vary. Drugs, weapons, explosives, dangerous materials, counterfeit goods and other prohibited articles must not be transported. Some medicines, food, batteries, electronics and high-value goods require additional checks or documents.
3. Confirm baggage and declaration requirements
Check your airline's current weight, dimensions and hazardous-goods rules. Consult official customs guidance for both origin and destination before travel. Declare goods, values and quantities when required, and make sure any duties or taxes are handled lawfully.
4. Agree on practical handover
Document the item's condition, identify who will hand it over and collect it, and agree on timing and compensation. Use LayAana's request and messaging controls where available, and do not publish private contact details in public listings.
5. Be ready to say no
Travellers can decline any item. A platform match does not change the traveller's responsibilities or guarantee that an item will be accepted by an airline or customs authority.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to carry a sealed package for someone?
No. Travellers should reject packages they cannot open, inspect or positively identify.
Does a sender's promise remove the traveller's customs responsibility?
No. Travellers remain responsible for applicable baggage, declarations and import rules.
Is this page legal advice?
No. It is a general safety checklist. Always check current official customs and airline information for your journey.