USPS Packaging Instruction 9B | Postal Explorer

USPS Packaging Instruction 9B

Magnetized Materials

A magnetized material is an article that has a magnetic field strength capable of causing the deviation of aircraft instruments. Magnetized materials include magnets and magnetized devices such as magnetrons and light meters of sufficient strength to possibly cause erroneous aircraft magnetic compass readings. Magnetized materials are mailable, provided that all requirements in 349.24 are met.

Proper Shipping Name and ID Number

Not applicable.

Mailability

International Mail: Only non-regulated magnetized materials that have a magnetic field strength less than 0.002 gauss at a distance of 7 feet may be sent internationally. Magnetized materials which are regulated are prohibited. See 622.4.
Domestic Mail via Air Transportation: Magnetized materials that have a magnetic field strength greater than 0.00525 gauss at 15 feet are prohibited. A magnetic field strength less than 0.002 gauss at a distance of 7 feet is not regulated.
Domestic Mail via Surface Transportation: Magnetized material is not regulated as a hazardous material when transported via surface transportation.

Required Packaging

General

Magnets and magnetic devices such as magnetrons and light meters must be packaged with the polarities of each unit positioned to oppose one another.
Keeper bars must be installed on permanent magnets or must otherwise be shielded to prevent the magnetic field from affecting magnetic compasses.
Mailable materials must be packed in strong outer containers.

Marking

For air transportation, the address side of the outer packaging must bear the magnetized material warning label shown in Exhibit 349.242b.
For surface transportation, mailpieces containing magnetized material with unconfined fields must be clearly marked on the address side with “Surface Only” or “Surface Mail Only” and “Magnetic – Keep 7 Feet Away From Navigational Equipment.”
A complete return address and delivery address must be used.

Documentation

For air transportation, a properly completed shipper‘s declaration for dangerous goods must be prepared in triplicate and affixed to the outside of the mailpiece. Magnetized material is not regulated as a hazardous material when transported via surface transportation.