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.
Infectious and noninfectious biological substances are permitted in international mail subject to the provisions that apply to domestic mail in 346.2. In addition, the following requirements apply:
- 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.
- Mailable infectious substances must only be sent via First-Class Package International Service using Registered Mail service. Nonregulated materials defined in 346.234 and exempt human or animal specimens defined in 346.12d are mailable when properly packaged as described in 346.32.
- Biological substances can be sent to or received by only the following types of institutions when permission has been granted:
- Laboratories of local, state, and federal government agencies.
- Laboratories of federally licensed manufacturers of biological products derived from bacteria and viruses.
- Laboratories affiliated with or operated by hospitals, universities, research facilities, and other teaching institutions.
- 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:
DIRECTOR, PRODUCT CLASSIFICATION
US POSTAL SERVICE
475 L’ ENFANT PLZ SW RM 4446
WASHINGTON DC 20260-5015
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.
- Mailable infectious 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, and the additional requirements in IMM 135.31 and 135.41.
- Nonregulated materials and exempt human or animal specimens must be packaged in accordance with Packaging Instructions 6G and 6H in Appendix C, and the additional requirements in IMM 135.32 and 135.42.
- A shipper’s declaration for dangerous goods is required. See 326 and 725.3.
Class 7 radioactive materials are permitted in international mail subject to the limits in 347 and the following conditions:
- 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.
- Each radioactive materials shipment must be sent only by First-Class Package International Service with Registered Mail service.
- Mailable radioactive materials may not have an activity content that exceeds one-tenth of the limits in Exhibit 347.22.
- Each shipment must comply with both the International Atomic Energy Agency Regulations and the specifications contained in 347 and this section.
- Mailable radioactive materials must be packaged in accordance with Packaging Instruction 7A in Appendix C and the requirements specified in IMM 135.5.
- The sender and recipient of each radioactive materials shipment must receive prior authorization from the appropriate regulatory authorities within their countries.
- 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.
- 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.”
- A shipper’s declaration for dangerous goods is required. See 326 and 725.3.
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.
Only lithium batteries under 622.51 and 622.52 that are properly installed in the equipment they operate may be sent internationally or to, from, or between APO, FPO, or DPO locations (subject to the conditions prescribed by the U.S. Department of Defense listed in Overseas Military/Diplomatic Mail in the Postal Bulletin). Used, damaged, defective, or recalled lithium batteries and used, damaged, or defective electronic devices (excluding devices that are new in original packaging, and manufacturer-certified new or refurbished devices) containing or packaged with lithium batteries are prohibited and may not be mailed internationally or to, from, or between APO, FPO, or DPO locations under any circumstances. See 349.21.
The following restrictions also apply:
- The batteries must be installed in the equipment being shipped.
- The equipment must be cushioned to prevent movement or damage and must be contained in rigid outer packaging, sealed and strong enough to prevent crushing of the package or exposure of the contents during normal handling in the mail.
- A lithium battery consignment, as defined in 349.12b, is limited to a maximum of two mailpieces for all international and APO/FPO/DPO mailings.
Small consumer-type lithium metal cells or batteries (lithium metal or lithium alloy) like those used to power cameras and flashlights are mailable in a single shipment with the following restrictions:
- Each shipment may contain a maximum of four lithium cells or two lithium batteries.
- The lithium content must not exceed 1 gram (g) per cell.
- The total aggregate lithium content must not exceed 2 g per battery.
- The batteries installed in the equipment must be protected from damage and short circuit.
- The equipment must be equipped with an effective means of preventing it from being inadvertently turned on or activated.
- Mailpieces must not bear markings or labels identifying the contents as lithium batteries.
Small consumer-type lithium-ion cells and batteries like those used to power cell phones and laptop computers are mailable in a single shipment with the following restrictions:
- Each shipment may contain a maximum of four lithium-ion cells or two lithium-ion batteries.
- The watt-hour rating must not exceed 20 Wh per cell.
- The watt-hour rating must not exceed 100 Wh per battery.
- Each battery must bear the “Watt-hour” or “Wh” marking on the battery to determine if it is within the limits defined in items b and c.
- The batteries installed in the equipment must be protected from damage and short circuit.
- The equipment must be equipped with an effective means of preventing it from being inadvertently turned on or activated.
- Mailpieces must not bear markings or labels identifying the contents as lithium batteries.
Each shipment containing very small lithium batteries, when installed in the equipment they operate (including circuit boards), may contain a maximum of four lithium cells or two lithium batteries. Very small cells/batteries are mailable internationally with the following conditions:
- Each lithium metal cell and battery must contain no more than 0.3 gram of lithium content.
- Each lithium-ion cell/battery must have a watt-hour rating of not more than 2.7 Wh.
- Mailpieces must not bear markings or labels identifying the contents as lithium batteries.
Exhibit 622.5
International Lithium Battery Mailability
| International APO/FPO/DPO1, 2 | Mailpiece Battery Limit3 |
Lithium Metal or Lithium Alloy Batteries4, 5 Small, non-rechargeable, consumer-type batteries |
Contained in (properly installed in equipment) | Mailable | Maximum of 4 cells or 2 batteries |
Packed with equipment, but not installed in the equipment | Prohibited | |
Without the equipment they operate (individual batteries in originally sealed packaging) | Prohibited | |
Lithium-ion or Lithium Polymer Batteries6, 7 Small, rechargeable, consumer-type batteries |
Contained in (properly installed in equipment) | Mailable | Maximum of 4 cells or 2 batteries |
Packed with equipment, but not installed in the equipment | Prohibited | |
Without the equipment they operate (individual batteries in originally sealed packaging) | Prohibited | |
Very Small Lithium Metal or Lithium-ion Batteries8, 9 Exception for very small consumer-type batteries in international transportation |
Contained in (properly installed in equipment) | Mailable | Maximum of 4 cells or 2 batteries |
Packed with equipment, but not installed in the equipment | Prohibited | |
Without the equipment they operate (individual batteries in originally sealed packaging) | Prohibited | |
1. Unless otherwise prohibited by the international destination country or specific APO/FPO/DPO ZIP Code location.
2. Used, damaged, defective, or recalled lithium batteries and used, damaged, or defective electronic devices containing or packaged with lithium batteries are prohibited and may not be mailed internationally or to, from or between APO, FPO, or DPO locations under any circumstances. This excludes devices that are new in original packaging, and manufacturer-certified new or refurbished devices.
3. When a mailpiece limitation of 4 cells or 2 batteries is applicable, a mailpiece may contain either 4 cells or 2 batteries, not both.
4. Each lithium metal or lithium alloy cell must not contain more than 1 g (gram) of lithium content.
5. Each lithium metal or lithium alloy battery must not contain more than 2 g of aggregate lithium content.
6. Each lithium-ion or lithium polymer cell must not exceed more than 20 Wh (watt-hour rating).
7. Each lithium-ion or lithium polymer battery must not exceed 100 Wh.
8. Each lithium metal or lithium alloy cell or battery must not exceed 0.3 g of lithium content.
9. Each lithium-ion or lithium polymer cell or battery must not exceed a watt-hour rating of 2.7 Wh.
Note: Shipments containing lithium batteries are not permitted in Global Express Guaranteed mailpieces.
