USPS Hazmat shipping requires thorough preparation and knowledge of the regulations that govern the shipment of hazardous materials. Starting on July 9, 2023, these regulations will be changing in order to help ensure safe transport of hazmat items via USPS services. In addition to the past labeling requirements requirements, USPS now requires that shippers declare the contents of their Hazmat shipments when they generate their USPS shipping labels. It is your responsibility to know and identify shipments that contain hazardous materials, to prevent them for getting held up or incurring penalties if they do not meet the latest regulations.


USPS Hazmat Classification


According to USPS, hazardous materials include any item or material that is capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, and property when transported in commerce. The international UN classifications are used by the USPS to identify and categorize hazardous substances for transport.  For international shipping, these items are often referred to as 'dangerous goods.  These classes are divided into divisions based on the type of hazard associated with the material (e.g., flammable liquids, corrosives, etc.). The are nine main hazard classes [Explosives, Gases, Flammable Liquids, Flammable Solids, Oxidizers and Organic Peroxides, Toxic Substances and Infectious Substances, Radioactive Material, Corrosives, Miscellaneous Hazardous Materials and Substances].  In OrderCup, we allow the main classes and divisions supported by USPS.



Value

Description

Air Eligible Ethanol

Air Eligible Ethanol Package – authorized fragrance and hand sanitizer shipments

Class 1 Toy Propellant or Safety Fuse

Ground shipments only. Class 1 – Toy Propellant/Safety Fuse Package.

Class 3

Ground shipments only. Class 3 - Hazardous Materials Package - Hand sanitizer, rubbing alcohol, ethanol base products, flammable liquids, etc.

Class 7 Radioactive Materials

Ground shipments only. Class 7 – Radioactive Materials Package (e.g., smoke detectors, minerals, gun sights, etc.)

Class 8 Air Eligible Corrosive Materials

Class 8 – Corrosive Materials Package - Air Eligible Corrosive Materials (certain cleaning or tree/weed killing compounds, etc.)

Class 8 Sealed Lead Acid Battery

Class 8 – Nonspillable Wet Battery Package - Sealed lead acid batteries

Class 9 Dry Ice

Class 9 – Dry Ice Package (limited to 5 lbs. if shipped via Air)

Class 9 Lithium Battery Marked Ground Only

Ground shipments only. Class 9 - Lithium Battery Marked – Ground Only Package - New Individual or spare lithium batteries (marked UN3480 or UN3090)

Class 9 Lithium Battery Unmarked

Class 9 – Lithium batteries, unmarked package – New electronic devices installed or packaged with lithium batteries (no marking)

Class 9 Lithium Battery with New Device

Class 9 - Lithium batteries, marked package - New electronic devices packaged with lithium batteries (UN3481 or UN3091)

Class 9 Magnetized Materials

Class 9 – Magnetized Materials Package

Consumer Commodity

ID8000 Consumer Commodity Package - Air Eligible ID8000 Consumer Commodity (non-flammable aerosols, flammable combustible liquids, toxic substance, miscellaneous hazardous materials)

Div 4.1 Mailable Flammable Solids

Ground shipments only. Division 4.1 – Mailable flammable solids and Safety Matches Package – Safety/strike on box matches, book matches, mailable flammable solids

Div 5.1 Hydrogen Peroxide 8 to 20 Percent

Division 5.1 – Oxidizers Package - Hydrogen peroxide (8 to 20% concentration)

Div 5.2 Organic Peroxides

Division 5.2 – Organic Peroxides Package

Div 6.1 Toxic Materials

Division 6.1 – Toxic Materials Package (with an LD50 of 50 mg/kg or less) - (pesticides, herbicides, etc.)

Div 6.2 Biological Materials

Division 6.2 Hazardous Materials - Biological Materials (e.g., lab test kits, authorized COVID test kit returns)

Excepted Quantity Provision

Excepted Quantity Provision Package (e.g., small volumes of flammable liquids, corrosive, toxic or environmentally hazardous materials – marking required)

Ground Only Hazardous Materials

Ground shipments only. Ground Only Hazardous Materials (for items that are not listed, but are restricted to surface only)

Lighters

Ground shipments only. Lighters Package - Authorized Lighters

Limited Quantity Ground Only

Ground shipments only. LTD QTY Ground Package – Aerosols, spray disinfectants, spray paint, hair spray, propane, butane, cleaning products, etc. – fragrances, nail polish, nail polish remover, solvents, hand sanitizer, rubbing alcohol, ethanol base products, etc. – other limited quantity surface materials, (cosmetics, cleaning products, paints, etc.)

Small Quantity Provision

Ground shipments only. Small Quantity Provision Package (markings required)

 Hazmat Electronics                                                  Special service for applies to used, damaged, or defective electronic devices containing or packaged with lithium batteries.



Shipping Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) Items via USPS


  2. Familiarize Yourself with Shipping Requirements: Understand the new requirements and rules for shipping hazardous materials via USPS. These include including a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), packaging specifics, labeling, and the need for an accurate description of the item. If there's more than one hazard class in the package, use the most restrictive labeling.


  4. Find the Safety Data Sheet (SDS): The SDS provides important information about the hazardous material, such as its chemical composition, health and environmental hazards, protective measures, and safety precautions. Locate the SDS by checking the manufacturer's documentation, visiting their website, contacting the manufacturer directly, or conducting a web search. Section 14 of the SDS provides transport information .


  6. Identify Shipping Instructions: Use resources like Publication 52 or the USPS's Hazmat Tool to verify that your Hazmat item can be shipped via USPS. Use the information from the SDS to ensure the instructions apply to your product. Once verified, refer to Appendix C of Publication 52 for packaging instructions, including quantity limits, packaging, marking and labeling, and documentation requirements.


  8. Comply with Marking and Labeling Requirements: Understand which warning labels are required for your product. Warning labels and/or markings are mandatory for all domestic shipments, but they should not be placed on shipments to APO/DPO/FPO locations or for international shipments as these will be returned.


  10. Package, Label, and Ship Your Product: Ensure your item is securely sealed and packaged according to the guidelines from Appendix C of Publication 52 to prevent leakage. When creating a shipping label, select 'Hazmat' for Special Content field and the correct value for the item being shipped in the Hazmat Type field so that the Postal Service can correctly handle the package. Attach your shipping label and warning labels/markings to your package according to the USPS guidelines.

Tips to remember when shipping Hazmat items:

  • Include an MSDS for the hazardous materials being shipped
  • Provide an accurate description of the item, including any associated hazards
  • Use the most restrictive labeling if more than one hazard class is present
  • Use appropriate packaging to prevent damage or leakage during transit
  • Ensure all labels are securely attached and clearly legible
  • Use an approved contractor to ensure your shipment meets USPS hazmat transport requirements


By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your hazardous materials arrive safely and in compliance with USPS regulations. If you have any questions or concerns, reach out to OrderCup Support.