Verboten

There are the things you are not allowed to mail to Germany


Through the US Postal Service here are the self-explanatory ones;
Absinthe.
Arms and weapons, including firearms, parts of arms, ammunition, and imitation arms.
 Human remains
 Live plants and animals
 Perishable infectious biological substances.
 Radioactive materials.

And here are the odd ones; 

Articles bearing political or religious notations on the address side.
-- So no Jesus stationary?

Melatonin.
 -- Why?

Playing cards, except in complete decks properly wrapped.
 --WHAT?!

Pulverized coca beans.
--Again... What?!

There are a few things on this list that I want to hear the story about. If anyone out there can tell me why playing cards and cocoa beans are contraband I'd love to know why.

DHL lists these;

Standard DHL prohibitions plus: Imitation and pirated products, Swastika, Hazelnuts, Peanuts, Brazil Nuts, Pistachios, Figs

--It's odd how they sneak "swastika" in with legumes and tree nuts...

Animal products
Animal skins
Asbestos
Ivory
Pornography
Precious metals & stones

(I guess you can send your asbestos, pornography and ivory through the US Mail)

FedEx has a very long list including;
Fighting Dogs, and Racist propaganda... but nothing about playing cards.

Very curious.