USPS Publication 52
When one ships hazardous materials one does not think of using the United States Post Office, because there are very few times that USPS will actually accept these materials. As listed in 18 U.S.C. 1716, “all matter that is outwardly or of its own force dangerous or injurious to life, health, or property is nonmailable”. However, some hazardous materials and otherwise restricted matter, or perishable matter are permitted to be mailed when the requirements in USPS Publication 52 are fully met.
USPS recently updated their hazardous materials regulations titled: Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail.
The United States Postal Service defines hazardous materials as follows:
A hazardous material is any article or substance designated by the U.S. Department of Transportation as being capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, or property during transportation. In international commerce, hazardous materials are known as “dangerous goods.”
If you are interested in using USPS to mail hazardous materials, Chapter 3, Appendix A and Appendix C provide information about hazardous materials that are permitted by mail.
