25 Basic Guidelines for Postal Service Personnel

251 Guidelines for Acceptance Personnel

Postal Service personnel are not authorized to open mail sealed against inspection, except under circumstances described in ASM 274. Information about the contents of mail sealed against inspection may be obtained either directly from the mailer (e.g., a mailer may ask about mailing requirements or mark the outside of the mailpiece to indicate its contents) or indirectly (e.g., through leakage or other escape of the contents). When handling mail that may contain hazardous, perishable, or restricted material, personnel are required to:

1. Assess Mailability: Evaluate items presented at a retail or business mail entry unit (BMEU) by inspecting all sides of the mailpiece for hazardous-materials indicators (e.g., markings). Retail personnel must ask, "Do any of your articles contain anything liquid, fragile, perishable, or potentially hazardous, such as lithium batteries, perfume, mercury or aerosols?"
2. Identify Requirements: Determine applicable quantity limits, labeling, and packaging requirements for mailable contents.
3. Verify Separation: Ensure hazardous materials are presented separately from other mailpieces, except for destination-entered mail (e.g., DDU/S&DC).
4. Refuse Nonmailable Items: Decline materials that fail to meet mailability requirements (as permitted in POM 139) and refer the circumstances to the local postmaster or PCSC for a ruling.
5. Process Diagnostic Specimens: Place diagnostic specimens in sacks or tubs with PS Tag 44, Sack Contents Warning attached for accurate processing.