USPS Packaging Instruction 6G

Nonregulated Infectious Materials

Nonregulated materials as defined in 346.234 are not subject to regulation as hazardous materials but must be properly packaged when presented for mailing. Nonregulated materials include biological product, blood collected for the purpose of blood transfusion, blood products and blood components collected for the purpose of transfusion, dried blood spots, forensic material not expected of containing a Category A or Category B infectious substance and transported on behalf of a government agency. For a complete description of nonregulated materials, see 346.234.

Proper Shipping Name and ID Number

• Not applicable (not regulated under 49 CFR as a hazardous material in domestic commerce).

Mailability

• International Mail: Nonregulated materials identified in 346.234 are mailable but must be properly packaged as indicated in 346.325 when presented for mailing.
• Domestic Mail: Permitted via air or surface transportation when packaging requirements are met.

Required Packaging

Liquid Patient Specimens and Biological Products

Exceeding 50 ml

• Material must be packaged in a securely sealed primary receptacle. A single primary receptacle must not contain more than 500 ml of specimen. Two or more primary receptacles whose combined volume does not exceed 500 ml may be enclosed in a single secondary container. The secondary container must be securely and snugly enclosed in a fiberboard box or container of equivalent strength that serves as the outer shipping container.

Not Exceeding 50 ml

• A patient specimen or biological product consisting of 50 ml or less per mailpiece must be packaged in a securely sealed primary receptacle. Two or more primary receptacles whose combined volume does not exceed 50 ml may be enclosed within a single mailpiece. The secondary container can also serve as the outer shipping container. In that case, the biohazard symbol must appear on the inner packaging or on the primary container.

Absorbent and Cushioning Material

• Sufficient absorbent material and cushioning material to withstand shock and pressure changes must surround the primary receptacle(s), or be otherwise configured to take up the entire liquid contents in case of leakage.

Secondary Container

• The secondary container must be securely sealed, and it may serve as the outer shipping container if it has sufficient strength to withstand ordinary postal processing.
• The primary receptacle(s) and the absorbent cushioning must be enclosed in a secondary container with a leakproof barrier that can prevent failure of the secondary container if the primary receptacle(s) should leak during transport.
• The secondary container must be marked with the international biohazard symbol shown in Exhibit 346.321, except when the secondary container also serves as the outer shipping container. In that case, the biohazard symbol must appear on the inner packaging or on the primary container.

Outer Shipping Container

• A fiberboard box or container of equivalent strength that serves as the outer shipping container.
• When the secondary container also serves as the outer shipping container, the biohazard symbol must appear on the inner packaging or on the primary container.

Solid or Dry Specimen

Primary Receptacle

• The primary receptacle (and cushioning material, if required) must be enclosed in a secondary container.

Secondary Container

• The secondary container must be siftproof to contain the contents should the primary receptacle(s) leak.
• The secondary container must be marked with the international biohazard symbol (see Exhibit 346.321).

Outer Shipping Container

• The secondary container may serve as the outer shipping container if it has sufficient strength to withstand ordinary postal processing.

Markings

• A complete return address and delivery address must be used.
• No other identifying marks are allowed on the outside of the box.

Note: A shipper‘s declaration for dangerous goods (shipping papers) is not required for clinical specimens that do not contain infectious substances.