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45 other restricted materials
451 liquids, powders and odor-producing materials
451.1 definitions
A liquid is any substance that flows easily and assumes the shape of the container, but retains an independent volume. For the purposes of mail delivery, a liquid may be a cream or paste or any other non-hazardous substance (except a gas) that can be liquefied under existing conditions.
an odor is any matter that is the source of an unpleasant odour.
451.2 mail capacity
- liquids and powders that are not hazardous (i.e., not regulated as hazardous materials) may be mailed provided they are properly packaged as specified in 451.3.
- any material that is the source of an unpleasant odor cannot be mailed.
451.21 restrictions
Liquids and powders that are corrosive, explosive, flammable, toxic, or otherwise dangerous are subject to the mailing conditions for Chapter 3 hazardous materials, as applicable.
451.22 cremated remains
The following applies when shipping cremated remains (ashes):
- Domestic:
- Allowed for cremated remains (human or animal) only when shipped via Priority Mail Express Service. the item must be packaged as required by 451.3b and packing instruction 10c.
- priority mail express mail piece (usps produced or customer supplied) must be labeled 139, cremated remains, affixed on all sides (including top and bottom), or a sender may use the special priority mail box marked cremated remains express (box-cre) available at usps.com.
- Senders may have a shipping label printed and affixed at a post office. Couriers or shippers can generate single-ply Priority Mail expedited labels by Click-n-Ship or other USPS-approved methods. mail-generated labels must have an intelligent mail package (impb) barcode with the appropriate cremated remains service type code and include the appropriate additional services code in the shipping services file (see publication 199 at postalpro at postalpro.usps.com).
- Priority Mail expedited shipments containing cremated remains are limited to additional insurance and return receipt requested services.
- When permitted by the destination country, cremated remains (human or animal) can only be shipped via International Priority Mail Express Service. Shippers should verify that the destination country accepts international express mail and cremated remains prior to shipping. the content must be indicated on the corresponding customs declaration form. the item must be packaged as required by 451.3b and packing instruction 10c.
- priority mail international express mail (usps produced or customer supplied) must be marked with a 139 label, cremated remains , adhered on all sides (including top and bottom), or a sender can use the special box marked Priority Mail Urgent Cremated Remains (box-cre) available at usps.com.
451.3 packaging and marking
the following conditions apply:
- liquids. Non-hazardous liquids, creams, and pastes, particularly those found in 1-gallon paint cans that only have friction tops (snap tops), are often a source of damage to other mail and postal equipment. Proper packaging of liquids is essential to ensure the integrity of the postal item during handling. Shippers must mark the outer container of a postal item containing liquid to indicate the nature of the contents and include orientation arrows in accordance with 226. All liquids are subject to the general packaging requirements in DMM 601.3.4 and the following:
- <containers that have friction closures on top are not acceptable by themselves. such containers must be packed within a strong and securely sealed outer packaging.
- use of locking rings or similar devices is recommended when shipping containers with snap-on lid closures (snap-on lids) .
- screw caps with a minimum of one and a half turns, solder clips, or other effective means must be used to ensure a secure closure.
- all non-metallic liquid containers over 4 ounces, including plastic containers and friction top seal metal containers, must be triple-packaged and include absorbent material capable of absorbing all of the liquid in the container(s) in the event of breakage, a leak-proof secondary container, such as an airtight can or plastic bag that surrounds the primary containers, and an outer mailing container that is securely sealed, strong enough to protect the contents, and durable enough to withstand the normal processing in postal service networks.
- Steel drums and pails with carrying handles and positive closures (e.g., locking rings or recessed spouts under screw-top closures) mayaccepted without additional packaging.
- As an alternative to 451.3a(4) above, envelopes may use containers certified by the International Safe Transit Association (ISTA) as having passed the ISTA 3a testing procedure. Shippers must, upon request, provide written test results verifying that the mail samples passed each test outlined in the standard and that no liquids were released.