Publications

Publication 52 Revision: Hemp-based Products Update

Effective August 26, 2021, the Postal Service™ is revising Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail, section 453.37, to update the hemp mailer laboratory test result records retention period and add a provision that hemp and hemp-based products, including Cannabidiol (CBD), are prohibited in mailings to international locations.

This revision will align Postal Service policy with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Domestic Hemp Production Program.

Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail

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4 Restricted Matter

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45 Other Restricted Materials

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453 Controlled Substances and Drugs

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453.3 Mailability

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453.37 Hemp-based Products

[Revise the second paragraph and items a. and b., then add a new third paragraph after the bullets to read as follows:]

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Hemp and hemp-based products, including cannabidiol (CBD) with the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration of such hemp (or its derivatives) not exceeding a .03 percent limit are permitted to be mailed in domestic mail only when:

a. The mailer complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, and plans approved by the USDA under 7 CFR Part 990 pertaining to hemp production, processing, distribution, and sales; and

b. The mailer retains records establishing compliance with such laws and plans, including laboratory test results, licenses, or compliance reports, for no less than 3 years after the date of mailing.

Shipments of hemp and hemp-based products, including cannabidiol (CBD) are prohibited in international mail including items for delivery to overseas military and diplomatic Post Office addresses (APO, FPO, and DPO).

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The Postal Service will incorporate these revisions into a later edition of online Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail, which is available via Postal Explorer® at pe.usps.com.