Quick Service Guide 601

Basic Standards for All Mailing Services

Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Materials

November 6, 2008
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This guide identifies many household products by their commonly used name (e.g., perfume rather than perfumery) that help determine mailability. Use this guide to quickly determine the mailing restrictions for potentially dangerous, but common, household products.

Identifying and categorizing hazardous materials can sometimes be difficult due to the technical makeup of the items and the complexity of the regulations surrounding them.

Domestic Mail Manual1(DMM) 601.8.0—601.11.0 contains the standards that apply to the mailing of hazardous, restricted, and perishable mail.

Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail, provides important information to help mailers determine what may be mailed and how certain items must be packaged to keep the mail safe. It also provides guidance to USPS employees accepting this mail.

Hazard Class	Type	Common Examples	Domestic		Int'l	Domestic Mail		Additional Information
			Air	Sur.		DMM	Pub 52
Hazard Class 1 Explosives
	Explosives	Fireworks, dynamite, grenades, small arms ammunition	N	N	N	601.10.11	341.21	All explosives are prohibited except as specified in DMM1 601.10.0.
Hazard Class 2 Gases (Under Pressure)
	Flammable	Hairspray (in aerosol can)	N	Y	N	Max. Amt. 601.10.12	342.2b	ORM-D2 only.
		Propane, camp stove fuel	N	Y	N	Max. Amt. 601.10.12	342.22c	ORM-D2 only.
		Spray (in aerosol can)	N	Y	N	Max. Amt. 601.10.12	342.22f	ORM-D2 only.
	Non-Flammable	Fire extinguishers	Y	Y	N	Max. Amt. 601.10.12	342.22d	Fire extinguishers containing methyl bromide prohibited.
		Nitrogen, compressed air	Y	Y	N	Max. Amt. 601.10.12	342.2b	ORM-D2 only.
	Toxic	Ammonia, chlorine, carbon monoxide	N	N	N	601.10.12	342.21	All toxic gases are prohibited.
Hazard Class 3 Flammable and Combustible Liquids
	Flammable Liquids (Flashpoint not more than 141° F)	Acetone, rubbing alcohol, witch hazel	N	Y	N	Max. Amt. 601.10.13	343.21	ORM-D2 only (dependent on flashpoint).
		Gasoline and items containing gasoline or gasoline fumes	N	N	N	601.10.13	343.23b	Gasoline and items containing gasoline or gasoline fumes are always prohibited.
		Paint, paint-related materials	N	Y	N	Max. Amt. 601.10.13	343.26	ORM-D2 only (dependent on flashpoint).
		Cigarette lighter, cigar lighter, lighter fluid (flammable liquid)	N	Y	N	Max. Amt. 601.10.13	343.25	Pre-approval from PCSC required as per DMM 601.10.13.
	Combustible Liquids (Flashpoint above 141° F and below 200° F)	Diesel fuel, kerosene	Y	Y	N	Max. Amt. 601.10.13	343.24e	ORM-D2 only. Flashpoint must be greater than 141°F.
		Waxes & polishes	Y	Y	N	Max. Amt. 601.10.13	343.24j	ORM-D2 only (dependent on flashpoint).
		Adhesives, cements, and glue	Y	Y	N	Max. Amt. 601.10.13	343.24g	ORM-D2 only (dependent on flashpoint).
		Perfumes and colognes (liquids)	N	Y	N	Max. Amt. 601.10.13	343.24	ORM-D2 only (dependent on flashpoint).
Hazard Class 4 Flammable Solids
	Flammable Matches	Card matches, book matches, safety matches	N	Y	N	Max. Amt. 601.10.14	344.3b	Must be properly packaged. Pub 52, Appendix C.
	Flammable Matches	Strike anywhere matches	N	N	N	601.10.14	344.21	Prohibited.
	Spontaneously Combustible	Iron oxide	N	Y	N	Max. Amt. 601.10.14	344.1b	ORM-D2 only.
	Dangerous When Wet	Aluminum powder, calcium, lithium, sodium	N	Y	N	Max. Amt. 601.10.14	344.1c	ORM-D2 only.
Hazard Class 5 Oxidizing Substances, Organic Peroxides
	Oxiders/Organic Peroxides	Ammonium nitrate, fertilizer, swimming pool chemicals	Y	Y	N	Max. Amt. 601.10.15	345.22a	ORM-D2 only—Friction tops unacceptable.
		Hydrogen peroxide (less than 20% solution	Y	Y	N	Max. Amt. 601.10.15	345.22b	No restrictions up to 8%. Solution strength up to 20% is acceptable, if ORM-D2 only.
Hazard Class 6 Toxic Substances
	Poisons	Tear gas (except those containing oleoresin capsicum)	N	N	N	601.10.16	346.221b	All irritants are prohibited.
		Flea collars, cyanide, pesticides & herbicides	N3	N	N	601.10.16	346.211	Must check specific materials in Pub 52, Appendix A. ORM-D2 only.
	Infectious Substances
	Nonifectious Specimens	Blood, urine, saliva, stool	Y	Y	Y4	Max. Amt. 601.10.17	346.2	Must be properly packaged.
	Biological & Medical Materials	Used sharps, medical devices	Y	Y	Y4	Max. Amt. 601.10.17	346.2	Items must be properly packaged for mailing; some require approval before mailing.
Hazard Class 7 Radioactive Material
	Radioactive Materials	Devices containing radioactive materials	N	Y	Y5	Max. Amt. 601.10.18	347	Items must be properly packaged. International mail requires approval before mailing.
Hazard Class 8 Corrosives
	Liquid and Solid	Batteries with liquid electrolyte, hydrochloric acid	N	N	N	601.10.19	348.21a	Nonspillable batteries may be permitted per DMM 601.10.19.
		Primary lithium batteries (small non-rechargeable consumer-type batteries)	Y6	Y	Y	Max. Amt. 601.10.20.5	348.22	5 pound maximum weight without equipment, 11 lbs. maximum weight with equipment. Lithium content restrictions, see 601.10.20.7.
		Secondary lithium-ion batteries (small rechargeable consumer-type batteries)	Y	Y	Y	Max. Amt. 601.10.20.6	348.22	No more than 3 batteries. Lithium content restrictions, see 601.10.20.7 and 601.10.19.
		Mercury, mercury-containing items (thermometer, etc.)	N	N	N	601.10.19	App. A	Mercury and items containing mercury are always prohibited.
Hazard Class 9 Miscellaneous Hazardous Materials
	Miscellaneous	Dry ice	Y	Y	N	Max. Amt. 601.10.20.4	349.23	5 lbs. maximum for air (surface may exceed 5 lbs.) (Proper forms/warning labels required for air only).
		Magnets, magnetized materials	Y	Y	Y	Max. Amt. 601.10.21	349.24	Depends on magnetic strength.
Restricted Matter
	Firearms	Handguns (concealable fire arms)	N3	N3	N3	601.11.1	43	Except between authorized parties; international mail subject to ICL7 restrictions/prohibitions. No content markings on outside of mailpiece are permitted.
		Rifles, shotguns, antique guns (unloaded)	Y	Y	Y	Max. Amt. 601.11.2 601.11.3	43	No content markings on outside of mailpiece are permitted. Ammunition strictly prohibited.
	Human Ashes Animal Ashes Pet Ashes	Cremated remains	Y	Y	Y	N/A	462.2	Registered mail required. International mail subject to ICL7 restrictions/prohibitions.
	Intoxicating Liquors	Wine, bourbon, vodka, liquor, beer	N	N	N