Aspiring e-commerce entrepreneurs must avoid being trapped in the regulatory maze

Singapore prohibits the import of chewing gum unless it is of the oral dental and medicated kind, in which case it must be licensed.

Packaging is another important aspect, as is safety. For instance, bans on wooden packing material trip up many small companies, which are not aware of the quarantine issues associated with containers or the goods they carry.

Aside from food products, there are also many unusual items to look out for. If you think you have a quirky or innovative product, it could still face countless cultural, safety or government hurdles before you can export to other countries. For instance:

The surge in global use of electronic cigarettes has not been without business headaches for their makers and importers. Hong Kong, for one, prohibits their import unless prior approval has been granted by FedEx Hong Kong Operations, Sales and Trade Services; while Singapore lists e-cigarettes among its general prohibited items.

Singapore also bans cigarette lighters in the shape of pistols or revolvers, and Malaysia prohibits the import of pens, pencils and other articles resembling syringes.

The US bans the import of Kinder Chocolate Eggs, because the Italian chocolate treats contain small inedible toys deemed dangerous for children.

Likewise, France prohibits the import of rubber erasers that are similar in appearance to food products that could easily be ingested.

Electronics classed as radio transmitting devices, including mobile phones, require import licenses from Hong Kong to South Korea and beyond.

South Korea recently banned unauthorized selfie-sticks because it said they could cause interference with other electronics. The crackdown meant anyone selling or importing selfie sticks required government certification to ensure they did not exceed the required Bluetooth frequency－or they would face a $27,000 fine or three-year prison sentence.

There are also many cultural differences to be aware of.

The United Kingdom prohibits the import of animal hair and wool, while articles containing dog or cat fur cannot be imported into the US. There's also an EU-wide ban on the commercial import of all seal, walrus and sea lion products.

Malaysia does not allow the import of any cloth bearing the imprint or reproduction of any verses of the Quran.

China bans any printed matter, films, photos, records, audio and video tapes, VCDs, computer storage media and other commodities that are deemed harmful to China's politics, economy, culture or ethics.