| Publication 52 - Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail > 3 Hazardous Materials > 34 Mailability by Hazard Class An explosive is any substance or article, including a device, that is designed to function by explosion (an extremely rapid release of gas and heat) or that, by chemical reaction within itself, is able to function in a similar manner even if not designed to function by explosion, unless the substance or article is otherwise classed under the provisions in 49 CFR. Explosives are categorized into six divisions: - Division 1.1 consists of explosives that have a mass explosion hazard. Examples are black powder, nitroglycerine (desensitized), dynamite, most types of torpedoes, and mercury fulminate.
- Division 1.2 consists of explosives that have a projection hazard but not a mass explosion hazard. Examples are certain types of fireworks, some types of detonating fuses, and some types of ammunition.
- Division 1.3 consists of explosives that have a fire hazard and either a minor blast or minor projection hazard or both, but not a mass explosion hazard. Examples are sodium picramate, some liquid and solid propellants, and some rocket motors.
- Division 1.4 consists of explosives that present a minor blast hazard. Examples are common fireworks, toy caps, empty primed grenades, and some small arms ammunition.
- Division 1.5 consists of very insensitive explosives that have a mass explosion hazard. Examples are type E blasting agents, some type B blasting agents, and very insensitive explosive substances.
- Division 1.6 consists of extremely insensitive articles that do not have a mass explosion hazard.
Each division in Class 1 is further assigned a compatibility group code. The compatibility code consists of one letter (A-H, J-L, N, or S) that is positioned after the division number (e.g., 1.1A, 1.2C, 1.4S) and refers to the transportation and storage controls necessary to prevent potential hazards. Refer to 49 CFR § 173.52 for a more detailed description of the Class 1 compatibility codes. Explosives are generally prohibited from being mailed under 18 U.S.C. § 1716. The following conditions apply for mailing Hazard Class 1 items: - International Mail: All explosives are prohibited.
- Domestic Mail via Air Transportation: All explosives are prohibited.
- Domestic Mail via Surface Transportation: Generally, explosives are prohibited, with exceptions for Division 1.4S toy propellant devices and safety fuses that have been approved by the director, Product Classification before mailing (refer to 214 for contact information). A shipping paper is required.
Certain explosives may be mailed under specific conditions. Full responsibility rests with the mailer to comply with Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) regulations. - Toy Propellant Devices (e.g., model rocket motors or igniters) (UN0454 or NA0323): Classified as Division 1.4S, these devices may be mailed via surface transportation with prior written permission from the director, Product Classification (refer to 214 for contact information). Each device approved for mailing must meet strict requirements on size, design, and packaging:
- Ignition and Propellant Requirements:
- Ignitable by electrical means only.
- Contains no more than 30 g (1.07 oz) of propellant.
- Produces less than 80 newton-seconds of total impulse.
- Thrust duration not less than 0.050 seconds.
- Construction Requirements:
- All chemical ingredients must be preloaded into a cylindrical paper or similarly constructed nonmetallic tube.
- Tube must not fragment into sharp or hard pieces.
- Must be designed to avoid bursting under normal conditions of use.
- Capable of withstanding temperatures below 500° F without spontaneous ignition.
- Must not contain any explosive or pyrotechnic warhead, except for a small activation-charge for a parachute-recovery system.
- Packaging and Shipping Requirements:
- Mailpieces must be prepared following Packaging Instruction 1A in Appendix C.
- A shipping paper is required.
- Safety Fuses (UN0105): Consists of a black powder core over-spun with yarns, waterproofing compounds, and/or tapes. Safety fuses identified as UN0105 and classified as Division 1.4S are mailable only when prior written approval has been granted by the director, Product Classification (refer to 214 for contact information). Mailable safety fuses are permitted in domestic surface transportation only and must be prepared according to Packaging Instruction 1B in Appendix C. A shipping paper is required.
Note: "Safety Fuses" should not be confused with "fusees." Fusees are rail and highway distress signals that are nonmailable Class 4 flammable solids. - Shotgun Hulls, Empty Casings, Nonmetallic Shotgun Hulls, or Casings Without Primers: These articles are not classified as explosives or hazardous materials under 49 CFR and, therefore, are mailable, subject to the applicable mailing rules (refer to 224).
Nonmailable explosives found in the mailstream must be immediately reported in accordance with the Postal Operations Manual (POM) 139.117. Nonmailable explosives include, but are not limited to: - Common Fireworks: Fireworks are classified as Division 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, or 1.4 explosives depending on the degree of hazard. Fireworks include roman candles, skyrockets, helicopter-type rockets, cylindrical and cone fountains, pyrotechnic wheels, illuminating torches, firecrackers, salutes, and combinations of items that are designed to produce any of the aforementioned types of effects. All types of fireworks are prohibited from mailing.
- Fuses: Fuses are classified as Division 1.3 or 1.4 explosives depending on the degree of hazard. All types of fuses (except safety fuses as permitted under 341.22) are prohibited from mailing.
- Small Arms Ammunition: Ammunition is classified as a Division 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, or 1.4 explosive, depending on the degree of hazard. Ammunition that is regulated as a Class 1 explosive and designed to be fired from a pistol, revolver, rifle, or shotgun, as well as associated primers and blank cartridges (including those designed for tools) and propellant powder for use in any firearm, is prohibited from mailing.
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