As shown in Exhibit 621.1, almost all hazardous materials are prohibited in international mail. Under specific circumstances, only biological substances, limited amounts of radioactive materials, and certain magnetized materials are eligible to be sent in international mail.
Infectious and noninfectious biological substances are permitted in international mail subject to the provisions that apply to domestic mail in 346.2 and DMM 601.8. In addition, the following requirements apply:
- Biological substances are prohibited from international mail by certain countries. To determine if a prohibition exists for a specific country, check the Individual Country Listings in the IMM.
- Mailable infectious substances must be sent by registered First-Class Mail International, Express Mail International, or Global Express Guaranteed service. Nonregulated materials defined in 346.234 and exempt human or animal specimens defined in 346.12d are mailable by First-Class Mail International, Priority Mail International, Express Mail International, or Global Express Guaranteed service when properly packaged as described in 346.32.
- Biological substances can be sent to or received by only the following types of institutions when permission has been granted:
- Laboratories of local, state, and federal government agencies.
- Laboratories of federally licensed manufacturers of biological products derived from bacteria and viruses.
- Laboratories affiliated with or operated by hospitals, universities, research facilities, and other teaching institutions.
- Private laboratories licensed, certified, recognized, or approved by a public authority.
Permission to mail biological substances must be obtained prior to mailing. Qualifying institutions wishing to mail biological substances must submit a written letter of application on its organizational letterhead to the following address:
MANAGER MAILING STANDARDS
US POSTAL SERVICE
475 L’ ENFANT PLZ SW RM 3436
WASHINGTON DC 20260–3436
The application must state the institution’s nature of work, the identity and qualifications of the prospective recipient, and the number of packages to be mailed.
- Mailable infectious substances are limited to 50 ml for liquids or 50 g for solids, per mailpiece and must be packaged in accordance with Packaging Instruction 6C in Appendix C, DMM 601.10.17.5, and the additional requirements in IMM 135.31 and 135.41.
- Nonregulated materials and exempt human or animal specimens must be packaged in accordance with Packaging Instructions 6G and 6H in Appendix C, DMM 601.10.17, and the additional requirements in IMM 135.32 and 135.42.
- A shipper’s declaration for dangerous goods is required. See 326 and 725.3.
Class 7 radioactive materials are permitted in international mail subject to the limits in 347 and the following conditions:
- Radioactive materials may be sent only to those countries that have expressed a willingness to accept them. For specific details, consult the Individual Country Listings in the IMM.
- Each radioactive materials shipment must be sent as a registered airmail letter package.
- Each shipment must comply with both the International Atomic Energy Agency Regulations and the specifications contained in 347 and this section.
- Mailable radioactive materials must be packaged in accordance with Packaging Instruction 7A in Appendix C and the requirements specified in IMM 135.5.
- The sender and recipient of each radioactive materials shipment must receive prior authorization from the appropriate regulatory authorities within their countries.
- A white package label bearing the French words “Matieres Radioactives” (Radioactive Materials) must be securely affixed, taped, or gummed to the address side of each mailpiece containing radioactive materials. The sender is responsible for supplying and affixing this label to the mailpiece.
- The address side of each mailpiece must bear the following endorsements in bold letters: “Return to Sender in Case of Nondelivery” and “Radioactive Materials, Quantities Permitted for Movement by Post.”
- A shipper’s declaration for dangerous goods is required. See 326 and 725.3.
Magnetized materials, as defined in 349.24, are prohibited in international mail except for those that cannot cause a compass deviation at a distance of 7 feet or more. Mailable magnetized materials must be prepared for mailing following Packaging Instruction 9B in Appendix C.
Small consumer-type primary lithium cells and batteries (lithium metal or lithium alloy) such as those used to power cameras and flashlights are mailable with the following restrictions:
- Primary lithium cells and batteries are mailable when the cells or batteries are properly packed with or properly installed in the equipment they operate and the mailpiece has no more than the number of batteries needed to operate the device.
- Each cell must contain no more than 1.0 gram (g) of lithium content per cell.
- Each battery must contain no more than 2.0 g aggregate lithium content per battery.
- Each cell or battery must meet the requirements of each test in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, and subsection 38.3 as referenced in DOT’s hazardous materials regulation at 49 CFR 171.7.
- Individual mailpieces must not exceed 11 pounds.
In addition, all primary lithium cells and batteries must be mailed within a firmly sealed package separated and cushioned to prevent short circuit, movement, or damage. Except for batteries installed in equipment, they must be in a strong outer package. All outer packages must have a complete delivery and return address. Cells or batteries properly installed in the device they operate must be protected from damage and short circuit, and the device must be equipped with an effective means of preventing accidental activation. The outside of the package must be marked on the address side “Package Contains Primary Lithium Batteries.”
Small consumer-type lithium-ion cells and batteries such as those used to power cell phones and laptop computers are mailable with the following restrictions:
- Individual cells or batteries are mailable when the cells or batteries are properly packed with or properly installed in the equipment they operate.
- Each cell must contain no more than 1.5 g of equivalent lithium content per cell.
- Each battery must contain no more than 8.0 g aggregate quantity of equivalent lithium content per battery.
- Each cell or battery must meet the requirements of each test in the
UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, and subsection 38.3 as referenced in the DOT’s hazardous materials regulation at
49 CFR 171.7.
- Individual mailpieces must not contain more than three batteries.
In addition, all secondary lithium-ion cells and batteries must be mailed in a firmly sealed package separated and cushioned to prevent short circuit, movement, or damage. Except for batteries installed in equipment, they must be in a strong outer package. All outer packages must have a complete delivery and return address. Cells or batteries properly installed in the device they operate must be protected from damage and short circuit, and the device must be equipped with an effective means of preventing accidental activation. The outside of the package must be marked on the address side “Package Contains Lithium-Ion Batteries (no lithium metal).”
