On June 23, 2016, the Postal Service™ is revising Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail, in various sections to provide greater clarity, correct erroneous references, and add minor changes to mailing standards.
Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail
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3 Hazardous Materials
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34 Mailability by Hazard Class
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343 Flammable and Combustible Liquids (Hazard Class 3)
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343.2 Mailability and Packaging
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343.22 Requirements for Combustible Liquids
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Exhibit 343.22 Combustible Liquids
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346.322 Sharps Waste and Other Mailable Regulated Medical Waste
[Revise the second sentence of the introduction to update the DMM reference:]
***Regulated medical waste and sharps medical waste as defined in 346.12f and 346.12g and containing materials classified as Category B infectious substances must be marked UN3291 and are permitted for mailing only using merchandise return service (see DMM 503.0) with First-Class Mail or Priority Mail service, subject to the following requirements:***
[Revise the third sentence of 346.322a to read as follows:]
a. ***The vendor in whose name the authorization is being sought must submit a written request to the manager of Product Classification at Postal Service Headquarters (see 214 for address).***
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[Revise the first sentence of 346.322c4 to update the DMM reference:]
4. The outer shipping container must bear a properly prepared merchandise return service label (see DMM 503.0).***
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348.22 Mailable Corrosives
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[Add a new second sentence to 348.22b1 to read as follows:]
1. ***For nickel-metal hydride batteries in sea transportation, see 49 CFR 122.102, Special Provision 130.
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432 Mailability
432.1 General
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[Add new 432.1e to read as follows:]
e. All regulated firearms must be mailed using a USPS product or Extra Service that provides tracking and signature capture at delivery.
432.2 Handguns
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[Revise 432.2b to read as follows:]
b. Firearms meeting the definition of a handgun under 431.2, which are certified by the curator of a municipal, state, or federal museum that exhibits firearms to be curios or relics of museum interest, may be accepted for mailing between governmental museums without regard to the restrictions provided for handguns in 432.21 through 432.24 and Exhibit 432.25.
[Revise the first sentence of 432.2c to read as follows:]
c. Air guns (see 431.6) that do not fall within the definition of firearms under 431.1 and are capable of being concealed on a person are mailable, but must include Adult Signature service under DMM 503.8.***
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432.3 Rifles and Shotguns
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[Revise items a. through g. to read as follows:]
a. Subject to state, territory, or district regulations, rifles and shotguns may be mailed without restriction when intended for delivery within the same state of mailing. These items must:
1. Bear a “Return Service Requested” endorsement.
2. Be sent by Priority Mail Express (with “signature required”) or Registered Mail.
3. Include Signature Confirmation service or insured mail service (for more than $500) requiring a signature at delivery.
b. A rifle or shotgun owned by a non-FFL may be mailed outside the owner\u0027s state of residence by the owner to himself or herself, in care of another person in the other state where he or she intends to hunt or engage in any other lawful activity. These mailpieces must:
1. Be addressed to the owner.
2. Include the “in the care of” endorsement immediately preceding the name of the applicable temporary custodian.
3. Be opened by the rifle or shotgun owner only.
4. Be mailed using services described in 432.3a.
c. Mailing of rifles and shotguns between licensed FFL dealers, manufacturers, or importers are not restricted. These items must be mailed using those services described in 432.3a.
d. Rifles and shotguns may be mailed by a non-FFL owner domestically to a FFL dealer, manufacturer, or importer in any state. These items must be mailed using those services described in 432.3a.
e. Except as described in 432.2a, licensed curio and relic collectors may mail firearms meeting the definition of curios or relics under 27 CFR 478.11 domestically to licensed FFL curio and relic collectors in any state. These items must be mailed using those services described in 432.3a.
f. Firearms meeting the definition of a rifle or shotgun under 431.4 which are certified by the curator of a municipal, state, or federal museum, which exhibits firearms to be curios or relics of museum interest, may be accepted for mailing without restriction when mailed between governmental museums.
g. Air guns (see 431.6) that do not fall within the definition of firearms under 431.1a are mailable. A shipment containing an air gun with a muzzle velocity of 400 or more feet per second (fps) must include an adult signature service under DMM 503.8. Mailers must additionally comply with all applicable state and local regulations.
[Add new 432.4 to read as follows:]
432.4 Indemnity Claims
When indemnity claims pertaining to regulated firearms are filed for loss or damage to contents, claims will only be paid for complete loss under either of the following conditions:
a. The regulated firearm has been lost, or
b. When the mailer has provided reasonable estimates of firearm’s value and of repair cost from a reputable dealer, and the repair cost exceeds the declared and⁄or actual value of the firearm at the time of mailing.
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453.3 Mailability
453.31 Packaging and Marking
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[Revise item 453.31c to change the reference from 21 CFR 1307.12 to CFR 1307.11:]
b. For prescription medicines containing mailable narcotic drugs (controlled substances), when mailed by drug manufacturers or their registered agents, pharmacies, medical practitioners, or other authorized dispensers as permitted by 21 CFR 1307.11 or in compliance with any regulation of the Food and Drug Administration or other applicable law.
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453.36 Return of Prescription Drugs
[Revise the first sentence of 453.36 to change the reference from 21 CFR 1307.12 to CFR 1307.11:]
Mailers may use merchandise return service to return prescription drugs for purposes of drug recalls; voluntary manufacturer withdrawals; and dispensing errors such as incorrect drug, dosage, or strength, as permitted by 21 CFR 1307.11 or other applicable law.***
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453.4 Packaging and Marking
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[Revise the first sentence of 453.4b to read as follows:]
b. Drugs and Medicines. Except for promotional samples as described in 453.4c, each mailpiece containing a mailable drug or medicine (that does not contain a controlled substance) must be held in a plain outer wrapper or packaging.***
[Add new 453.4c to read as follows:]
c. Promotional Samples. A promotional sample package containing a mailable over the counter, non-controlled, non-prescription drug or medicine may bear a brief description of the sample as well as the marking “Sample Enclosed” on the outside packaging of the mailpiece.
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454.222 Restricted or Improperly Prepared Items
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[Revise 454.222e to update the DMM reference to read as follows:]
e. The sample is an odd-shaped item in a letter-size envelope that is prohibited under DMM 601.3.3.
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526.21 Mailability Requirements
[Revise the first sentence of the introductory paragraph to read as follows:]
Honeybees and queen honeybees are acceptable for shipping within the continental U.S. and must be free of disease, as required under federal and state regulations.***
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Appendix A Hazardous Material Table: Postal Service Mailability Guide
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[Revise entries under the “Batteries, dry” sub-category to place entries in alphabetical order as follows:]
[In the row titled “Batteries, nickel-metal hydride,” revise the entry under the “Domestic Mail Surface (g)” column to read as follows:]
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Appendix C USPS Packaging Instructions for Mailable Hazardous Materials
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USPS Packaging Instruction 3B
Combustible Liquids
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Required Packaging
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For flashpoint above 140º F (60º C) but not more than 200º F (93º C):
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Marking:
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[Revise the text of the second bulleted item to read as follows:]
n When using surface transportation, each mailpiece must bear an approved DOT limited quantity square-on-point marking, designating surface transportation, and prepared under 343.3b, or be plainly and durably marked on the address side with “Surface Only” or “Surface Mail Only” and “Consumer Commodity ORM–D.”
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USPS Packaging Instruction 3D
Ethanol-based Flammable Liquids and Solids
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Required Packaging
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For content not more than 70% ethyl alcohol:
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Marking
[Revise the current text under Marking to read as follows:]
n Each package must bear the text “Contains Air-Eligible Ethyl Alcohol — Authorization No. #” on the outer packaging in at least 14-point type.
n A complete company name, return address, and delivery address must be applied to each outer package.
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[Revise the second content description subheading to read as follows:]
For content more than 70% ethyl alcohol:
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Marking
[Revise the current text under Marking to read as follows:]
n Each package must bear the text “Contains Air-Eligible Ethyl Alcohol — Authorization No. #” on the outer packaging in at least 14-point type.
n A complete company name, return address, and delivery address must be applied to each outer package.
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USPS Packaging Instruction 6D
Sharps Waste and Other Regulated Medical Waste
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Required Authorization
[Revise the second sentence to read as follows:]
n ***The vendor in whose name the authorization is being sought must submit a written request to the manager of Product Classification, Postal Service Headquarters (see 214 for address).
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USPS Packaging Instruction 8B
Nonspillable Wet Battery
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Required Packaging
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Marking
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[Delete the last bulleted sentence under the Marking subheading in its entirety.]
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USPS Packaging Instruction 8C
Manufactured Devices that Contain Small Amounts of Mercury
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Required Packaging
Primary Receptacle
[Revise the first bullet under the Primary Receptacle subheading to read as follows:]
n Each primary device, article, or apparatus must be securely sealed in glass or in an equivalent material.
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[Revise the third bullet under the Primary Receptacle subheading to read as follows:]
n Multiple devices are permitted within a single mailpiece, provided the aggregate mercury quantity does not exceed 1 gram (g) (0.035 ounce) of mercury within the mailpiece.
Absorbent and Cushioning Material
[Revise the text of the Absorbent and Cushioning Material subheading to read as follows:]
A noncombustible absorbent⁄cushioning material, capable of containing any leakage in case of breakage, must surround each device.
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[Delete the Secondary Packaging Container subheading and all bulleted text in its entirety.]
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Outer Shipping Container
[Revise the text of the Outer Shipping Container subheading to read as follows:]
The device(s), and its absorbent⁄cushioning material, must be packed in rigid, strong outer packaging.
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We will incorporate this revision into the next online update of Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail, which is available via Postal Explorer® at http:⁄⁄pe.usps.com.
— Product Classification,
Marketing and Sales, 6-23-16
