Effective February 23, 2023, the Postal Service™ published a revision to the Postal Operations Manual (POM), which updated the standards for the treatment of nonmailable matter procedures, specifically referral of these items to the United States Postal Inspection Service® (USPIS®). This revision includes placing cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) in the category of items to be referred to USPIS when found in the mail, and provides referral instructions for packages containing cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and ENDS products destined to military or international locations.
Postal Operations Manual (POM)
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1 Retail Management
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13 Retail Services at Counters
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139 Nonmailable Matter — Articles and Substances: Special Mailing Rules
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139.1 General Provisions
139.11 Rules and Procedures
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139.117 Referral to Inspection Service
[Revise the text of 139.117 to read as follows:]
Matter within the following categories, when found in the mail, must be held temporarily, and the Inspection Service must be advised immediately. The disposition of such items is determined according to instructions promptly furnished by the Inspection Service. These categories of matter are nonmailable firearms and switchblade knives; controlled substances; motor vehicle master keys and locksmithing devices; alcohol; domestic packages of cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, or electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) where an exception does not apply; and explosive, incendiary, or hazardous materials or devices that may present an immediate threat to persons or property (see Publication 52). This provision does not authorize the opening or inspection of any mail.
Note: Any international, diplomatic, or overseas military packages found to contain cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, or ENDS are to be forwarded to the International Mail Security group at the closest International Service Center or other International Mail Processing facility location. Address all packages “Attn: USPIS Int’l Mail Security.”
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The Postal Service incorporated this revision into the current edition of the online POM, which is available on the Postal Service PolicyNet website:
n Go to blue.usps.gov.
n In the left-hand column, click Essential Links, and then click PolicyNet.
n Go to the right-hand side under “Published Forms and Directives.”
n Click Manuals.
The direct URL for the Postal Service PolicyNet website is blue.usps.gov/cpim.
— Product Classification,
Product Solutions, 5-18-23
