Effective May 10, 2007, we are revising the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM®) part 135 to reflect changes in allowable contents and packaging requirements. These changes align the standards in the IMM with those in Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®). Mailers must comply with these changes no later than May 14, 2007.
Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM)
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1 International Mail Services
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130 Mailability
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135 Mailable Dangerous Goods
[Revise the heading of 135.1 as follows:]
135.1 Infectious Substances
135.11 General Conditions
[Revise 135.11 as follows:]
Infectious and noninfectious (nonregulated) biological substances are acceptable in international mail subject to the provisions of DMM 601.10.17 under the following conditions: when they are intended for medical or veterinary use, research, or laboratory certification related to the public health; only when such materials are properly prepared for mailing to withstand shocks, pressure changes, and other conditions related to ordinary handling in transit; and under the additional conditions specified in subsections below.
a. Category A infectious substances are not mailable. Category A infectious substances as identified in DMM 601.10.17.2a1 are substances transported in a form capable of causing permanent disability or life-threatening or fatal disease in otherwise healthy humans or animals when exposure occurs. A Category A infectious substance is assigned the identification number UN 2814 or UN 2900, based on the known medical history or symptoms of the source patient or animal, endemic local conditions, or professional judgment concerning the individual circumstances of the source human or animal. A list of indicative examples of infectious substances included in Category A can be found in International Air Transportation Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations, Table 3.3.D.
b. Category B infectious substances are mailable when they meet the definition in DMM 601.10.17.2a2. A Category B infectious substance does not meet the criteria for inclusion in Category A. A mailpiece known or suspected to contain a Category B infectious substance must bear the proper shipping name “Biological substance, Category B” on the address side of the mailpiece and must be assigned to and marked with identification number UN 3373.
c. Nonregulated (noninfectious) materials identified in DMM 601.10.17.3 as nonregulated are mailable. Nonregulated substances do not contain infectious substances or substances that are likely to cause disease in humans or animals. Nonregulated materials are not subject to regulation as hazardous materials but must be properly packaged as indicated in DMM 601.10.17.8 when presented for mailing.
d. Exempt human or animal specimens as defined in DMM 601.10.17.2d are mailable. They are not subject to regulation as hazardous materials, but when presented for mailing, they must be packaged as identified in DMM 601.10.17.9.
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135.13 Senders and Receivers
[Revise the first paragraph of 135.13 as follows:]
Substances identified in 135.11 must be sent only by authorized laboratories to their foreign counterparts in those countries that have indicated a willingness to accept them.
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135.2 Authorization
135.21 Authorized Institutions
[Revise the introductory text of 135.21 as follows:]
Infectious biological substances can be sent to or received by only the following types of institutions:
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[Revise the heading of 135.3 as follows:]
135.3 Packaging, Marking, Labeling
[Revise the heading and text of 135.31 as follows:]
135.31 Category B Infectious Substances
A material that is classified as a Category B infectious substance and that meets the definition in DMM 601.10.17.2a2 must be triple-packaged as identified in DMM 601.10.17.4, meeting the packaging requirements in 49 CFR 173.199, and sent as Global Express Guaranteed mail. Each primary receptacle containing a liquid must be leakproof and surrounded by absorbent material sufficient to protect the primary receptacle and absorb the total amount of liquid should the primary receptacle leak or break. Each primary receptacle containing a solid must be sift proof. Secondary containers for liquids must be leak proof. Secondary containers for solids must be sift proof. The primary and secondary packaging must be enclosed in a rigid outer shipping container. A single primary receptacle must not contain more than 1 liter (34 ounces) of a liquid specimen or 4 kg (8.8 pounds) of a solid specimen. Multiple primary receptacles whose combined volume does not exceed 4 liters (1 gallon) for liquids or 4 kg (8.8 pounds) for solids may be enclosed in a single secondary container. In addition:
a. The secondary container must be marked with the international biohazard symbol shown in DMM Exhibit 601.10.17.5c2.
b. A primary receptacle or secondary packaging containing liquid must be capable of withstanding, without leakage, an internal pressure producing a pressure differential of not less than 95 kPa (0.95 bar, 14 psi) in the range of -40° C to 55° C (-40° F to 130° F).
c. All mailpieces sent under DMM 601.10.17.4 must be marked on the address side with the shipping name “Biological substance, Category B” and the “UN 3373” marking as outlined in 49 CFR 173.199 (a) (5).
d. Orientation arrows are not required on these mailpieces but may be used.
e. The outer packaging must show the name and telephone number of a person who is knowledgeable about the material shipped and has comprehensive emergency response and incident mitigation information, or of someone who has immediate access to the person with such knowledge and information.
[Revise the heading and text of 135.32 as follows:]
135.32 Nonregulated Materials (Noninfectious Biological Substances)
Nonregulated materials are not subject to regulation as hazardous materials but must be properly packaged, marked, and labeled as indicated in DMM 601.10.17.8 when presented for mailing.
[Delete the note in 135.32.]
[Add new 135.33 as follows:]
135.33 Exempt Human or Animal Specimens
Exempt human or animal specimens are not subject to regulation as hazardous materials but must be properly packaged, marked, and labeled as indicated in DMM 601.10.17.9 when presented for mailing.
[Delete 135.4 in its entirety, and renumber 135.5 and 135.6 as 135.4 and 135.5. Revise the title of new 135.4 as follows:]
135.4 Handling and Dispatch of Infectious Substances
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We will incorporate these revisions into IMM 34 and into the online update of the IMM, which can be accessed via Postal Explorer® at http://pe.usps.com.
— Mailing Standards,
Pricing and Classification, 5-10-07
