The Postal Service™ is reminding customers that metallic mercury and devices containing metallic mercury are always prohibited in the mailstream. This includes antique items such as thermometers, barometers, blood pressure monitors, and similar devices. However, manufactured devices that contain trace amounts of mercury, such as compact fluorescent lamps (100 mg or less per lamp or 1 g per mailpiece), can be mailed domestically.
For more information about mercury in the mailstream, go to our public service announcement at youtube.com/watch?v=wriu99Z01r8.
Item Description
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Item Mailability
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Liquid mercury is often encountered in a wide range of volumes. Reasons for sending include uses for gold reclamation or refinement, preparation of dental amalgams, and element collections.
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Domestic Ground – Prohibited
Domestic Air – Prohibited
International – Prohibited
Prohibited per section 348.21e of Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail (Pub 52).
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Mercury barometers often contain significant amounts of mercury that are not well-contained. These barometers have been responsible for several leaks.
Note: Fully digital versions are mailable without restrictions.
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Domestic Ground – Prohibited
Domestic Air – Prohibited
International – Prohibited
Prohibited per section 348.21e of Pub 52.
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Mercury thermometers may contain significant amounts of mercury in breakable containment (glass).
Note: Modern versions (i.e., digital or those containing red liquid (alcohol with red coloring), are mailable without restrictions.
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Domestic Ground – Prohibited
Domestic Air – Prohibited
International – Prohibited
Prohibited per section 348.21e of Pub 52.
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Mercury sphygmomanometers, or blood pressure gauges, may contain significant amounts of mercury in breakable containment (glass).
Note: Fully digital versions are mailable without restrictions.
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Domestic Ground – Prohibited
Domestic Air – Prohibited
International – Prohibited
Prohibited per section 348.21e of Pub 52.
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Mercury switches may exist in a small enough size to get below the 100 mg limit; however, this would be the exception rather than the rule. If you can see the mercury, it is not mailable.
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Domestic Ground – Prohibited
Domestic Air – Prohibited
International – Prohibited
Prohibited per section 348.21e of Pub 52; may encounter some items that are covered under section 348.22g.
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Mercury relays may exist in a small enough size to get below the 100 mg limit; however, this would be the exception rather than the rule. If you can see the mercury, it is not mailable.
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Domestic Ground – Prohibited
Domestic Air – Prohibited
International – Prohibited
Prohibited per section 348.21e of Pub 52; may encounter some items that are covered under section 348.22g.
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Compact fluorescent lamps contain small amounts of mercury vapor. If broken, there will be no visible mercury and the vapors will readily disperse.
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Domestic Ground – Mailable
Domestic Air – Mailable
International – Mailable
Mailable per section 348.22g of Pub 52. See also Packaging Instruction 8C.
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Hazardous materials (HAZMAT), such as mercury, might be prohibited or allowed under certain conditions. To determine if you can mail your item:
1. Review Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail, to find out if your item is mailable: pe.usps.com/text/pub52/welcome.htm.
2. Follow the United States Postal Service® (USPS®) HAZMAT guidelines and any U.S. Laws.
3. Take your package to a Post Office™ location for assistance in determining the mailability of your product, as well as guidance regarding packaging, labeling, and marking requirements for acceptable items.
USPS is committed to the safety and security of its employees, its customers, and its transportation networks. We must remain vigilant in safeguarding the mailstream against any article that might pose a hazard to health, safety, property, or the environment. Shipping improperly prepared, undeclared, or prohibited HAZMAT can have serious consequences for everyone involved.
If a person knowingly mails items or materials that are dangerous or injurious to life, health, or property, they face a civil penalty of at least $250, but not more than $100,000 per violation, the costs of any clean-up associated with each violation, and damages. They may also face criminal penalties.
For more information about mailing HAZMAT, follow the guidance in this tutorial: uspsdelivers.com/hazmat-shipping-safety.
As of July 9, 2023, mailers are required to apply one of six product-specific Service Type Codes based upon the shipping product chosen (e.g., Priority Mail Express®, Priority Mail®, or USPS Ground Advantage™) that simply indicates the contents are HAZMAT. This is the minimum information the Postal Service will accept when a mailer ships HAZMAT.
— Product Classification,
Product Solutions, 7-13-23
