Effective November 27, 2025, the Postal Service™ is revising Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted and Perishable Mail, section 346.322, to clarify that the maximum weight is 35 pounds for container testing under the medical professional packages category regarding regulated medical waste.
The Postal Service is also revising Publication 52 to replace references to the obsolete Merchandise Return Service with USPS Returns® service.
Although these revisions will not be published in Publication 52 until later, these standards are effective immediately.
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Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail
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3 Hazardous Materials
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34 Mailability by Hazard Class
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346 Toxic Substances and Infectious Substances (Hazard Class 6)
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346.3 Division 6.2, Infectious Substances Mailability
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346.32 Division 6.2, Infectious Substances Packaging, Marking, Labeling, and Documentation
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346.322 Sharps Waste and Other Mailable Regulated Medical Waste
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[Revise the text of item a(8) to read as follows:]
(8) A copy of the USPS Returns service label specifying that USPS Ground Advantage be used with each mailing container system.
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[Revise the text of item c(4) to read as follows:]
(4) USPS Returns Service Label: The outer packaging must display a properly prepared USPS Returns service label (refer to DMM section 505.3) specifying USPS Ground Advantage. The account must be in the same name as the authorized medical-waste vendor.
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[Revise the text of items e(3) through e(6) to read as follows:]
(3) Vibration Test: One mailpiece must pass the vibration test in 49 CFR § 178.608.
(a) The test mailpiece is filled with sharps or other regulated medical waste to the maximum vendor-identified weight, not to exceed 25 pounds (35 pounds for medical professional packages), as specified on the outer packaging and on the assembly and closing instructions.
(b) The sample is prepared as it would be for mailing.
(c) The pass/fail criterion is as follows: No rupture, cracking, or splitting of any primary receptacle.
(4) Wet Drop Test: Five mailpieces must pass the wet drop test in 49 CFR § 178.609e.
(a) Each test mailpiece is prepared as it would be for mailing and filled with sharps or other regulated medical waste to the maximum vendor-identified weight, not to exceed 25 pounds (35 pounds for medical professional packages), as specified on the outer packaging and on the assembly and closing instructions.
(b) Each mailpiece undergoes a water spray treatment, and individual mailpieces are tested by drop orientation (top, longest side, shortest side, and corner).
(c) The pass/fail criteria are as follows: No rupture, cracking, splitting or penetration of contents through the body or lid of any primary receptacle.
(5) Cold Drop Test: Five mailpieces must pass the cold drop test in 49 CFR § 178.609f.
(a) The test mailpiece is prepared as it would be for mailing and filled with sharps or other regulated medical waste to the maximum vendor-identified weight, not to exceed 25 pounds (35 pounds for medical professional packages), as specified on the outer packaging and on the assembly and closing instructions.
(b) Each mailpiece chilled as described in the test and individual mailpieces are tested by drop orientation (top, longest side, shortest side, and corner).
(c) The pass/fail criteria are as follows: No rupture, cracking, splitting, or penetration of contents through the body or lid of any primary receptacle.
(6) Impact Test: One mailpiece must pass the test in 49 CFR § 178.609h.
(a) The test mailpiece is prepared as it would be for mailing and filled with sharps or other regulated medical waste to the maximum vendor-identified weight, not to exceed 25 pounds (35 pounds for medical professional packages), as specified on the outer packaging and on the assembly and closing instructions.
(b) The pass/fail criteria are as follows: No rupture, cracking, splitting or penetration of contents through the body or lid of any primary receptacle.
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The Postal Service will incorporate these revisions into the next edition of the online Publication 52, which is available via Postal Explorer® at pe.usps.com.
— Product Classification,
Product Solutions, 11-27-25
