charges are based on the total weight and distance of shipment. Large but lightweight pieces may be calculated using the item's Cubic Dimensional Weight. Express rates can be determined at any staffed Amtrak location through the reservation system or by calling the Amtrak Express Desk. Amtrak accepts cash or credit card for payment of Express charges. Payment is due at the time the shipment is dropped-off. Amtrak automatically assumes liability of $50 per shipment for loss or damage. Shippers may declare additional value of up to $2,000 for $1.00 per $100 of value declared, or up to $10,000 for $1.50 per $100 declared. Shipments are held, without charge, for a period of 48 hours after arrival. Afterwards, storage will be charged at the rate of either $3.00 per 100 pounds, per 24 hours, or $4.00 per piece, per 24 hours (whichever is greater) until claimed. Special items Some special items are exempt from maximum size per piece requirements, such as: Baby carriages, car seats, high chairs, playpens, portacribs and strollers (collapsible and boxed) Bicycles (including tricycles): Must fit into one bicycle box Golf bags (covered) and carts (must be separated) Luggage carts (separated from suitcases) Musical instruments (in suitable containers) Sample cases Scuba gear (tanks empty and in container) Skis and ski poles (in ski bags, on pair per bag) Snowboards (in suitable containers, one per container) Surfboards (wrapped and tied): 7-foot maximum on Pacific Surfliner Wheelchairs (folding) Prohibited items The following prohibited items are not acceptable for shipment under any circumstances: Animals Appliances (larger items such as air conditioners, microwave ovens, etc.) Cameras and Photographic Accessories Controlled or Illegal Substances Dangerous or Hazardous Items (acidic or corrosive substances, ammunition, batteries containing acid, explosive, fireworks, flammable items, poison, radioactive materials, etc.) Electronic Equipment (radios, stereos, tape recorders, televisions, video cameras, video game systems, etc.) Eyeglasses or Contact Lenses Fragile Articles (antiques, art works, china, clocks, glassware, watches, etc.) Furniture or Mattresses Guns Liquids (except for properly packaged blood and plasma shipments by hospitals and laboratories) Medications and Prescriptions Motorized Vehicles and Engines Office-type Equipment (calculators, computers, printers, telephones, typewriters, etc.) Perishable Items (flowers, food, plants, etc.) Playground Equipment (swing sets, etc.) Poles used in pole vaulting Sailboards with Masts Valuable Items (credit cards, coin or stamp collections, gems and minerals, irreplaceable papers, photos or manuscripts, jewelry, money, stamps, stock certificates, watches, etc.) Any other overweight item, or an item unsuitably