Effective August 4, 2016, the Postal Service™ is revising Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail, part 336 and Appendix C Packaging Instruction 10A, and adding a new Packaging Instruction 10B to provide alternatives for mailers who are able to meet specific criteria relating to the packaging of hazardous materials in the mail.
In response to requests from the mailing industry, the Postal Service has further aligned its mailing standards with regulations applicable to commercial shippers and carriers. Continuing in this effort, the Postal Service will revise its exception processes for the mailing of very small quantities of specific hazardous materials to more closely correspond with those provided by Department of Transportation (DOT), Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), and other regulatory agencies.
PHMSA announced the adoption of its excepted quantity provision on January 14, 2009, via Federal Register Docket HM-215J. As part of this rulemaking, PHMSA maintained its then-current allowances for small quantities of Division 2.2, Class 3, Division 4.1, Division 4.2 (PG II and III), Division 4.3 (PG II and III), Division 5.1, Division 5.2, Division 6.1, Class 7, Class 8, and Class 9 materials transported by highway and rail only. Also at this time, PHMSA adopted the United Nations (UN) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) excepted quantity provisions for transportation by aircraft or vessel. PHMSA stated it believed that aligning the existing small quantity provisions with the excepted quantity provisions for air and vessel transportation would enhance harmonization and increase safety. With this revision, PHMSA revised its small quantity provision (49 CFR173.4) to apply to domestic highway and rail transportation only and added a new section 173.4a which matches international excepted quantity provisions for air and vessel transportation. Concurrent with these changes, PHMSA adopted the new “E” international marking, making it applicable to domestic transportation. When using this marking, the “*” must be replaced by the primary hazard class or division number and the “**” must be replaced by the name of the shipper or consignee, if not shown elsewhere on the package.
To more closely align the USPS® small quantity provision with its DOT counterpart, the Postal Service will revise its current small quantity provision, making the provision applicable only to surface mail products. As was previously the case, the USPS small quantity provision will continue to be more restrictive than that applicable to commercial shippers and carriers. The Postal Service also clarifies this section to provide that Division 6.1 toxic substances in Packing Groups I and II are prohibited, and only Division 6.1 materials in Packing Group III are eligible to be mailed under the USPS Small Quantity Provision. Generally, Division 6.1, Packing Group I and II materials are listed as nonmailable in Publication 52, Appendix A.
In addition, the Postal Service adds a new excepted quantity provision, intended to more closely align with the excepted quantity provision published in 49 CFR 173.4a. The new excepted quantity provision will be applicable to USPS domestic air products, but may be used with shipments placed in USPS surface transportation. Mailpieces entered under the USPS excepted quantity provision must be marked with the DOT-approved “E” marking as described above and meet all quantity, packaging, and marking requirements described in the revised part 337 and Packaging Instruction 10B. Although the “E” excepted quantity marking is recognized for commercial international shipments, the USPS excepted quantity provision is for domestic use only and is prohibited in international and APO⁄FPO⁄DPO mail.
The Postal Service will prohibit the shipment of materials in Hazard Classes 1, 2, 4, and 7, under the excepted quantity provision.
The Postal Service will also add language to Publication 52, for both the small quantity and excepted quantity provisions, to clarify that materials identified in Appendix A of Publication 52 as “prohibited” in USPS air and surface transportation are ineligible for mailing under these provisions, without regard to their hazard class, division, or packing group.
Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail
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3 Hazardous Materials
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32 General
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325 DOT Hazardous Materials Warning Labels
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[Add new section 325.4 to read as follows:]
325.4 Excepted Quantity Labels
Hazardous materials eligible to be shipped under the excepted quantity provision, as described in 49 CFR 173.4a and 337.2, must be prepared following Packaging Instruction 10B in Appendix C. Each mailpiece must bear a DOT-approved excepted quantity marking, shown in Exhibit 325.4, under the following conditions:
a. The “*” must be replaced by the primary hazard class, or when assigned, the division of each of the hazardous materials contained in the package.
b. The “**” must be replaced by the name of the mail owner or mail service provider if not shown elsewhere on the package.
c. The marking must be located on the address side of the mailpiece, not be less than 3.9 inches (100 mm) by 3.9 inches (100 mm), and must be durable and clearly visible.
Exhibit 325.4 Excepted Quantity Marking
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33 Hazard Classes
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336 Small Quantity
336.1 Definition
[Revise the text of 336.1 to read as follows:]
A small quantity is the maximum amount of a specific hazardous material that when transported by domestic surface transportation is not subject to any DOT requirements (e.g., packaging, marking, labeling, etc.) other than those in 49 CFR 173.4. Not every hazardous material is eligible to be shipped as a small quantity. Additionally, for Postal Service purposes, Class 1, Class 2, Division 6.2, and Class 7 materials are not permitted to be sent as a small quantity.
The DOT small quantity provision, like the DOT ORM–D category, is unique to the United States, and its use is restricted to highway and rail transportation only. Its use is also prohibited with international shipments of hazardous materials and cannot be used in international mail.
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336.2 Mailability
[Revise the text of 336.2 to read as follows:]
Hazardous materials in Class 3, Division 4.1, Division 4.2 (Packing Groups II and III only), Division 4.3 (Packing Groups II and III only), Division 5.1, Division 5.2, Division 6.1 (Packing Group III only), Class 8, and Class 9 are eligible to be sent in domestic mail under the small quantity provision, via a USPS ground product (e.g. USPS Retail Ground, Parcel Select, Parcel Select Lightweight) only when each primary receptacle is limited to the following quantity, as applicable:
a. 30 ml (1 oz.) or less for liquids.
b. 30 g (1 oz.) or less for solids.
[Add new section 336.3 and renumber current 336.3 as new 336.4 to read as follows:]
336.3 Additional Restrictions
Materials identified in Appendix A as prohibited under column E, USPS Mailability, are ineligible for mailing under the small quantity provision without regard to their hazard class, division, or packing group.
336.4 Packaging and Marking
[Revise the last sentence of renumbered 336.4 to read as follows:]
***Each mailpiece that qualifies to be sent under the small quantity provision must be clearly marked on the address side with the following words: “This package conforms to 49 CFR 173.4 for domestic highway or rail transport only.”
[Add new part 337 and renumber current 337 through 338 as new 338 through 339 to read as follows:]
337 Excepted Quantity
337.1 Definition
An excepted quantity is a defined amount of a specific hazardous material, eligible for transport aboard passenger aircraft, which is not subject to any DOT requirements (e.g., packaging, marking, labeling, etc.) other than those in 49 CFR 173.4a. Very few hazardous materials can be shipped under the excepted quantity provision. Additionally, for Postal Service purposes, Class 1, Class 2, Class 4, Division 6.2, and Class 7 materials are not permitted to be sent as an excepted quantity. The excepted quantity provision is applicable to domestic mail only, and its use is prohibited for international shipments or APO⁄FPO⁄DPO mail. The excepted quantity provision can be used in domestic air or surface transportation (highway, rail, or vessel).
337.2 Mailability
Only materials authorized for transport aboard passenger aircraft in accordance with 49 CFR 172.101 and appropriately classed within one of the following hazard classes or divisions may be mailed as an excepted quantity:
a. Class 3, Packing Groups II and III;
b. Division 5.1, Packing Groups II and III;
c. Division 5.2 materials, only when contained in a chemical kit, first aid kit, or polyester resin kit;
d. Division 6.1, Packing Group III only;
e. Class 8, Packing Groups II and III only, except for UN2803, Gallium and UN2809, Mercury; and
f. Class 9, except for UN1845, Carbon dioxide, solid, or Dry ice, and lithium batteries.
337.3 Additional Restrictions
Materials identified in Appendix A as prohibited under column E, USPS Mailability, are ineligible for mailing under the excepted quantity provision without regard to their hazard class, division, or packing group.
337.4 Quantities
The maximum quantity of hazardous materials in each inner (primary) packaging is limited to 30 g (1 ounce) or 30 ml (1 ounce) for solids or liquids. The maximum aggregate quantity of hazardous material in any mailpiece cannot exceed:
1. For Class 3 (Packing Group II), Class 9, and other Packing Group II materials, 500 g (1.1 lbs.) for solids or 500 ml (.1 gallon) for liquids.
2. For Packing Group III materials, 1 kg (2.2 lbs.) for solids or 1 liter (0.2 gallon) for liquids.
3. For Division 5.2 materials, 500 g (1.1 lbs.) for solids or 500 ml (.1 gallon) for liquids.
337.5 Packaging and Marking
Hazardous materials eligible to be shipped under the excepted quantity provision, as described in 49 CFR 173.4a and 337.2, must be prepared following Packaging Instruction 10B in Appendix C. Mailers entering mailpieces under the USPS excepted quantity provision must meet the requirements for packaging materials, and mailpieces must be in compliance with the package tests regulations in 49 CFR 173.4a. Each mailpiece must bear a DOT-approved excepted quantity marking (see 325.4) on the address side of the mailpiece, and if applicable, include documentation as provided in 49 CFR 173.4a.
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4 Restricted Matter
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45 Other Restricted Materials
451 Liquids, Powders, and Odor-Producing Materials
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451.22 Cremated Remains
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[Revise the last sentence in 451.22a and 451.22b to read as follows:]
a. Domestic: ***The item must be packaged as required in 451.3b and Packaging Instruction 10C.
b. International: ***The item must be packaged as required in 451.3b and Packaging Instruction 10C.
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Appendix C USPS Packaging Instructions for Mailable Hazardous Materials
[Revise the fourth sentence in the intro paragraph of the table of contents page to read as follows:]
***Packaging instructions 10A through 10C provide packaging information relating to special provisions not associated with a specific hazard class.***
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Category 10: Other Packaging Instructions
[Add new 10C table of contents description and revise current 10B to read as follows:]
n 10B Excepted Quantity Provision
n 10C Cremated Remains
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USPS Packaging Instruction 10A
Small Quantity Provision
[Revise the second sentence of the intro paragraph to read as follows:]
***The small quantity provision, like the ORM–D materials category, is unique within the United States, and its use is prohibited in international and APO⁄FPO⁄DPO mail.
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Mailability
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[Revise the second bullet under the Mailability subheading to read as follows:]
n Domestic Mail: Permitted via surface transportation only.
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[Add new Packaging Instruction 10B and renumber current Packaging Instruction 10B as new 10C to read as follows:]
USPS Packaging Instruction 10B
Excepted Quantity Provision
Some types of hazardous materials, as permitted in 337 and 49 CFR 173.4a, may be prepared for mailing using the excepted quantity provision. The excepted quantity provision, although applicable to international shipments by commercial shippers, is limited to domestic mail, and its use is prohibited in international and APO⁄FPO⁄DPO mail.
Proper Shipping Name and ID Number
n Not applicable.
Prototype Testing Requirement
n The complete mailing package must be capable of withstanding the test criteria in 49 CFR 173.4a(f).
Mailability
n International Mail: Prohibited.
n Domestic Mail: Permitted via air or surface transportation (highway, rail, or vessel).
Required Packaging
Inner (Primary) Receptacle
n Each inner receptacle must be constructed of plastic, glass, porcelain, stoneware, earthenware, or metal. Plastic inner packaging must have a thickness of not less than 0.2 mm (0.008 inch).
n Each inner packaging with a removable closure must have its closure held securely in place with wire, tape, or other positive means.
n Each inner receptacle having a neck with molded screw threads must have a leak-proof, threaded-type cap.
n Closures must not react chemically with the material.
Intermediate (Secondary) Packaging
n Each inner receptacle must be securely packed in an intermediate container with cushioning material in such a way that, under normal conditions of transport, will not break, be punctured, or leak.
n Intermediate containers must completely contain the contents in case of breakage or leakage, regardless of package orientation.
Absorbent and Cushioning Material
For liquids, intermediate containers must contain sufficient absorbent material that:
n Will absorb the entire contents of the inner packaging.
n Will not react dangerously with the material or reduce the integrity or function of the packaging materials.
n The absorbent material may be the cushioning material.
Outer Packaging
The intermediate packaging must be securely packed in strong, rigid outer packaging.
Placement of the material in the package must not violate 49 CFR 173.21.
Outer packages must be of such a size that there is adequate space to apply all necessary markings.
Markings
n Mailpieces must be durably and legibly marked with the following marking:
n The “*” must be replaced by the primary hazard class, or when assigned, the division of each of the hazardous materials contained in the package. The “**” must be replaced by the name of the mail owner or mail service provider, if not shown elsewhere on the package.
n The marking must be located on the address side of the mailpiece, not be less than 100 mm (3.9 inches) by 100 mm (3.9 inches), and must be durable and clearly visible.
Documentation
n For ground transportation (highway or rail), no shipping paper is required.
n For surface transportation by vessel, a shipping paper is required and must include the statement “Dangerous Goods in Excepted Quantities” and indicate the number of packages.
n For transport by air, a shipping paper is not required, except that, if a document such as an air waybill accompanies a shipment, the document must include the statement “Dangerous Goods in Excepted Quantities” and indicate the number of packages.
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We will incorporate these revisions 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, 8-4-16
