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62 Hazardous Materials: International Mail

621 General Requirements

621.1 Mailing Conditions

In international commerce, the term "dangerous goods" is commonly used to describe hazardous materials.

Almost all hazardous materials are prohibited in international mail. The only mailable hazardous materials are certain infectious substances (etiologic agents and biological specimens and products), excepted quantities of radioactive material that are allowed in domestic mail, and certain magnetized materials. See Exhibit 621.1 for a summary of the types of hazardous materials that are eligible for mailing in international mail.

In certain situations, the few types of hazardous materials that are generally permitted in international mail may be further restricted by the mailing limitations imposed by an individual country. Because individual countries have unique prohibitions and restrictions, it is always necessary to consult the Individual Country Listings in the IMM to be certain that an otherwise mailable hazardous material is acceptable for shipment to a specific country.

Exhibit 621.1

DOT Hazard Classes and Mailability for International Mail

621.2 Hazard Classes

The nine classes of hazardous materials listed in 331 also apply to dangerous goods shipped in international commerce.

The non-Postal Service regulations that govern the air shipment of hazardous materials (dangerous goods) in international commerce are specified in the Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). In 49 CFR, DOT recognizes ICAO requirements for the air transportation of hazardous materials. However, 49 CFR gives DOT the authority to regulate only the domestic transportation of hazardous materials. Generally, most air carriers follow the Dangerous Goods Regulations of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and those regulations are slightly more restrictive than the ICAO rules.

621.3 ORM-D Materials

The ORM-D classification is unique within domestic commerce in the U.S. and is not recognized in international commerce. Hazardous materials that are mailable in domestic mail as ORM-D materials are prohibited in the international mail.

621.4 APO/FPO Mail

Mailpieces containing hazardous materials for delivery to overseas military post office (APO/FPO) addresses are required to meet the standards that apply for shipping hazardous materials in international mail. See DMM 703.2.

622 Mailable Hazardous Materials

622.1 General

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.

622.2 Biological Substances, Division 6.2

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:

a. 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.

b. Biological substances, including those of a pathogenic nature, must be sent as registered airmail letter packages.

c. Biological substances can be sent to or received by only the following types of institutions when permission has been granted:

(1) Laboratories of local, state, and federal government agencies.

(2) Laboratories of federally licensed manufacturers of biological products derived from bacteria and viruses.

(3) Laboratories affiliated with or operated by hospitals, universities, research facilities, and other teaching institutions.

(4) 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.

d. Mailable infectious biological 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.

e. Mailable noninfectious biological substances must be packaged in accordance with Packaging Instruction 6H in Appendix C, DMM 601.10.17, and the additional requirements in IMM 135.32 and 135.42.

f. A shipper's declaration for dangerous goods is required. See 326 and 725.3.

622.3 Radioactive Materials, Class 7

Class 7 radioactive materials are permitted in international mail subject to the limits in 347 and the following conditions:

a. 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.

b. Each radioactive materials shipment must be sent as a registered airmail letter package.

c. Each shipment must comply with both the International Atomic Energy Agency Regulations and the specifications contained in 347 and this section.

d. Mailable radioactive materials must be packaged in accordance with Packaging Instruction 7A in Appendix C and the requirements specified in IMM 135.6.

e. The sender and recipient of each radioactive materials shipment must receive prior authorization from the appropriate regulatory authorities within their countries.

f. 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.

g. 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."

h. A shipper's declaration for dangerous goods is required. See 326 and 725.3.

622.4 Magnetized Materials

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.

623 Nonmailable Hazardous Materials

The following types of hazardous materials, as defined in Chapter 3, DMM 601.10, and IMM 135-136, are prohibited in international mail:

a. Class 1, explosives (including explosive devices) (341 and DMM 601.10.11).

b. Class 2, gases (342 and DMM 601.10.12).

c. Class 3, flammable and combustible liquids (343 and DMM 601.10.13).

d. Class 4, flammable solids including matches (344 and DMM 601.10.14).

e. Class 5, oxidizing substances and organic peroxides (345 and DMM 601.10.15).

f. Class 6, Division 6.1, toxic substances (including irritants) (346 and DMM 601.10.16).

g. Class 6, Division 6.2, infectious substances (346 and DMM 601.10.17), except as permitted in 622.2.

h. Class 7, radioactive materials (347 and DMM 601.10.18), except as permitted in 622.3).

i. Class 8, corrosives (348 and DMM 601.10.19).

j. Class 9, miscellaneous hazardous materials (349 and DMM 601.10.20).

k. Dry ice (carbon dioxide solid) (349.23 and DMM 601.10.20.4).

l. Magnetized materials capable of causing a compass deviation at a distance of 7 feet or more (349.24 and DMM 601.10.21). See 622.4 for mailable magnetized materials.

m. ORM-D materials (333 and 621.3).