What You Can Do to Help

Ask Before You Mail

Many common, everyday items are classified as hazardous materials. Determining the mailability of hazardous materials requires the consideration of a number of factors and can be very challenging. Please check with your local U.S. Postal Service^® officials before attempting to mail any items that could be considered hazardous. Improper mailing of hazardous materials may subject you to civil and/or criminal liability.

Full responsibility rests with the mailer to comply with all postal and nonpostal laws and regulations regarding the mailing of hazardous materials.

Mailers are responsible for the following:

• Knowing the physical characteristics of the hazardous materials they wish to mail.
• Ensuring that no hazardous material is mailed unless it is permitted under Postal Service^™ mailing standards in the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM^®), and Publication 52, Prohibited, Restricted, and Perishable Mail.
• Ensuring that all Postal Service regulations are followed regarding the packaging, markings, labeling, and declaration of hazardous materials placed in the mail.

Further guidance on the packaging, marking, and mailability of hazardous materials is available from the following sources:

• USPS.com; https://www.usps.com/ship/can-you-ship-it.htm.
• Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail; http://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/welcome.htm.
• IMM (for mailings to foreign addresses); http://pe.usps.com/text/imm/welcome.htm (sections 135 and 136).