Hazard Class

Type

Common Examples

Domestic

Int’l

Domestic Mail

Additional Information

Air

Sur.

DMM

Pub 52

Hazard Class 1 Explosives

Explosives

Fireworks, dynamite, grenades, small arms ammunition

N

N

N

601.10.11

341.21

All explosives are prohibited except as specified in DMM 601.10.0.

Hazard Class 2 Gases (Under Pressure)

Flammable

Hairspray (in aerosol can)

N

Y

N

Max. Amt.
601.10.12

342.2b

ORM-D1 only.

Propane, camp stove fuel

N

Y

N

Max. Amt.
601.10.12

342.22c

ORM-D¹ only.

Spray (in aerosol can)

N

Y

N

Max. Amt.
601.10.12

342.22f

ORM-D¹ only.

Non-Flammable

Fire extinguishers

Y

Y

N

Max. Amt.
601.10.12

342.22d

Fire extinguishers containing methyl bromide prohibited.

Nitrogen, compressed air

Y

Y

N

Max. Amt.
601.10.12

342.2b

ORM-D¹only.

Toxic

Ammonia, chlorine, carbon monoxide

N

N

N

601.10.12

342.21

All toxic gases are prohibited.

Hazard Class 3 Flammable and Combustible Liquids

Flammable Liquids (Flashpoint not more than 141° F)

Acetone, rubbing alcohol, witch hazel

N

Y

N

Max. Amt.
601.10.13

343.21

ORM-D¹ only (dependent on flashpoint).

Gasoline and items containing gasoline or gasoline fumes

N

N

N

601.10.13

343.23b

Gasoline and items containing gasoline or gasoline fumes are always prohibited.

Paint, paint-related materials

N

Y

N

Max. Amt.
601.10.13

343.26

ORM-D¹ only (dependent on flashpoint).

Cigarette lighter, cigar lighter, lighter fluid (flammable liquid)

N

Y

N

Max. Amt.
601.10.13

343.25

Pre-approval from PCSC required as per DMM 601.10.13.

Combustible Liquids (Flashpoint above 141° F and below 200° F)

Diesel fuel, kerosene

Y

Y

N

Max. Amt.
601.10.13

343.24e

ORM-D¹ only. Flashpoint must be greater than 141°F.

Waxes & polishes

Y

Y

N

Max. Amt.
601.10.13

343.24j

ORM-D¹ only (dependent on flashpoint).

Adhesives, cements, and glue

Y

Y

N

Max. Amt.
601.10.13

343.24g

ORM-D¹ only (dependent on flashpoint).

Perfumes and colognes (liquids)

N

Y

N

Max. Amt.
601.10.13

343.24

ORM-D¹ only (dependent on flashpoint).

Hazard Class 4 Flammable Solids

Flammable Matches

Card matches, book matches, safety matches

N

Y

N

Max. Amt.
601.10.14

344.3b

Must be properly packaged. Pub 52, Appendix C.

Flammable Matches

Strike anywhere matches

N

N

N

601.10.14

344.21

Prohibited.

Spontaneously Combustible

Iron oxide

N

Y

N

Max. Amt.
601.10.14

344.1b

ORM-D¹ only.

Dangerous When Wet

Aluminum powder, calcium, lithium, sodium

N

Y

N

Max. Amt.
601.10.14

344.1c

ORM-D¹ only.

Hazard Class 5 Oxidizing Substances, Organic Peroxides

Oxidizers/Organic Peroxides

Ammonium nitrate, fertilizer, swimming pool chemicals

Y

Y

N

Max. Amt.
601.10.15

345.22a

ORM-D¹ only—Friction tops unacceptable.

Hydrogen peroxide (less than 20% solution

Y

Y

N

Max. Amt.
601.10.15

345.22b

No restrictions up to 8%. Solution strength up to 20% is acceptable, if ORM-D¹only.

Hazard Class 6 Toxic Substances

Poisons

Tear gas (except those containing oleoresin capsicum)

N

N

N

601.10.16

346.221b

All irritants are prohibited.

Flea collars, cyanide, pesticides & herbicides

N2

N

N

601.10.16

346.211

Must check specific materials in Pub 52, Appendix A. ORM-D¹ only.

Infectious Substances

Noninfectious Specimens

Blood, urine, saliva, stool

Y

Y

Y3

Max. Amt.
601.10.17

346.2

Must be properly packaged.

Biological & Medical Materials

Used sharps, medical devices

Y

Y

Y³

Max. Amt.
601.10.17

346.2

Items must be properly packaged for mailing; some require approval before mailing.

Hazard Class 7 Radioactive Material

Radioactive Materials

Devices containing radioactive materials

N

Y

Y4

Max. Amt.
601.10.18

347

Items must be properly packaged. International mail requires approval before mailing.

Hazard Class 8 Corrosives

Liquid and Solid

Batteries with liquid electrolyte, hydrochloric acid

N

N

N

601.10.19

348.21a

Nonspillable batteries may be permitted per DMM 601.10.19.

Primary lithium batteries (small non-rechargeable consumer-type batteries)

Y5

Y

Y

Max. Amt.
601.10.20.5

348.22

5 pound maximum weight without equipment, 11 lbs. maximum weight with equipment. Lithium content restrictions, see 601.10.20.7.

Secondary lithium-ion batteries (small rechargeable consumer-type batteries)

Y

Y

Y

Max. Amt.
601.10.20.6

348.22

No more than 3 batteries. Lithium content restrictions, see 601.10.20.7 and 601.10.19.

Mercury, mercury-containing items (thermometer, etc.)

N

N

N

601.10.19

App. A

Mercury and items containing mercury are always prohibited.

Hazard Class 9 Miscellaneous Hazardous Materials

Miscellaneous

Dry ice

Y

Y

N

Max. Amt.
601.10.20.4

349.23

5 lbs. maximum for air (surface may exceed 5 lbs.) (Proper forms/warning labels required for air only).

Magnets, magnetized materials

Y

Y

Y

Max. Amt.
601.10.21

349.24

Depends on magnetic strength.

Restricted Matter

Firearms

Handguns (concealable fire arms)

N²

N²

N²

601.12.1

43

Except between authorized parties; international mail subject to ICL6 restrictions/prohibitions. No content markings on outside of mailpiece are permitted.

Rifles, shotguns, antique guns (unloaded)

Y

Y

Y

Max. Amt.
601.12.2

601.12.2

43

No content markings on outside of mailpiece are permitted. Ammunition strictly prohibited.

Tobacco

Cigarettes, smokeless tobacco

N²

N²

N

601.11.0

TBD

Except between eligible parties; mail markings required; Express Mail service only (excluding Alaska and Hawaii). See DMM for full requirement.

Inert-Replica Explosive Devices

Replica hand grenades

Y²

N

N

601.12.4

TBD

Registered Mail service only; mail markings required.

Human Ashes

Animal Ashes

Pet Ashes

Cremated remains

Y

Y

Y

N/A

452.2

Registered mail required. International mail subject to ICL⁶ restrictions/prohibitions.

Intoxicating Liquors

Wine, bourbon, vodka, liquor, beer

N

N

N

601.12.7

42

Includes 0.5% alcohol content or greater.

Motor Vehicle Master Keys

Including locksmithing devices

Y

Y

N

Max. Amt.
601.12.10

46

Only if sent between authorized parties.

Odor-Producing Materials

Food, non-toxic inks and dyes, paper

N

N

N

601.12.7

451

Not considered hazardous material.

Controlled Substances

Narcotics

N²

N²

N

601.12.10

47

Generally, both the mailers and the addressee must meet special conditions.

Drugs

Prescription, non-prescription medicines, medications, prescription drugs

Y

Y

Y

Max. Amt.
601.12.11

47

No content markings on outside of mail piece permitted. ICL⁶ restrictions/prohibition apply for international mail. Must meet state and federal laws.

Drug Paraphernalia

Illegal drugs, pipes

N

N

N

601.12.12

47

See Controlled Substance Act for more information on drug paraphernalia.

Battery-Powered Devices

Toys, clocks (operated by household-use-type battery

Y

Y

Y

Max. Amt.
601.12.17

348.22b

Battery must be permitted by DMM 601.12.17.

Sharp Instruments

Knives, razors, switchblades

Y

Y

Y

Max. Amt.
601.12.5

44

Only if sent between authorized parties. International mail subject to ICL⁶ restrictions/prohibitions for each country.

Perishable Matter Animals

Bees

Honey bees (Queen bees)

Y

(Q7 only)

Y

Y

(Q⁷ only)

Max. Amt.
601.9.3.8

526.2

Disease-free queen bees may be accompanied by up to eight attendants by air. Honeybees without queen bees, surface only.

Adult Birds acceptable

Geese, turkeys, guinea fowl, doves, pigeons, pheasants, partridges, quail, ducks, chickens, swans

Y

Y

N

Max. Amt.
601.9.3.4

526.4

Disease-free geese, turkeys, guinea fowl, doves, pigeons, pheasants, partridges, quail, ducks, chickens, swans.

Adult Birds unacceptable

All other types of birds not listed above, such as canaries, parakeets, parrots

N

N

N

601.9.3.6

526.4

Prohibited.

Day-old Poultry

Chicks, ducks, geese, quail, partridges, pheasants (April through August), turkeys

Y

Y

N

Max. Amt.
601.9.3.2

526.3

Day-old poultry vaccinated with Newcastle disease (live virus) is nonmailable.

Dead Animals

Dried parts of game birds or fish

Y

Y

N²

Max. Amt.
601.9.4

526.7

Includes hides and furs. International mail subject to ICL⁶ restrictions/prohibitions. If dry ice is used, see DMM 601.9.4.

Live, cold blooded

Goldfish, crickets, worms

Y

Y

N

Max. Amt.
601.9.3.3

526.6

Some exceptions.

Reptiles

Snakes, turtles

N

N

N

601.8.5

525.3

Nonmailable.

Live, warm blooded

Hamsters, mice, cats, rabbits, dogs, guinea pigs, or rats

N

N

N

601.9.3.6

525.2

Some adult birds permitted in domestic mail. See DMM 601.9.3.6.

Scorpions (live)

Scorpions

N

Y

N

Max. Amt.
601.9.3.10

526.5

Only for medical research or manufacture of antivenin.

Perishable Matter Food

Meats and Meat products

Fresh meat & fish. Frozen meat & fish.

Y

Y

N²

Max. Amt.
601.9.1

55

International mail subject to ICL⁶ restrictions/prohibitions. If dry ice is used, see DMM 601.9.1.

Fresh Foods

Fruits, vegetables

Y

Y

N²

Max. Amt.
601.9.1

53

International mail subject to ICL⁶ restrictions/prohibitions. If dry ice is used, see DMM 601.9.1.

Plants

Trees, citrus, cactus

Y

Y

N²

Max. Amt.
601.9.6

56

International mail subject to ICL⁶ restrictions/prohibitions. USDA regulations/prohibitions apply.