USPS Packaging Instruction 7A

Radioactive Materials

Radioactive materials are prohibited in international mail and domestic mail if required to bear the DOT Radioactive White–I, Radioactive Yellow–II, Radioactive Yellow–III label, or the Fissile label (49 CFR § 172.436, 172.438, or 172.440, respectively) or if it contains quantities of radioactive material in excess of those authorized in 347. Radioactive materials are prohibited in domestic mail via air transportation. For international mail, the standards in IMM 135.5 apply.

The only categories of radioactive material that are mailable are those that can be classified as a “limited quantity” under 49 CFR and that meet the limits in Exhibit 347.22: excepted instruments, articles, and devices, and excepted articles containing natural uranium and thorium. Accurate documentation of the activity limits, which must not exceed those specified in Exhibit 347.22, must be provided.

Proper Shipping Name and ID Number

• Radioactive Material, excepted package–limited quantity, UN2910.
• Radioactive Material, excepted package–instruments or articles, UN2911.
• Radioactive Material, excepted package–articles manufactured from natural uranium (or natural thorium), UN2909.

Mailability

• International Mail: Only as permitted in 622.3 and IMM 135.5, and when sent with under the following conditions:
• Sent only to those countries that have expressed a willingness to accept them (refer to the Individual Country Listings in the IMM).
• APO/FPO/DPO destinations are also subject to the conditions prescribed by the Department of Defense (DOD) as listed in Overseas Military/Diplomatic Mail in the Postal Bulletin.
• Each radioactive materials shipment must be sent via First-Class Package International Service using 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.
• 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.”
• Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods is required. Refer to 326 and 711.3.
• Domestic Mail: Permitted only via surface transportation and when the applicable requirements in 347 are met.

Required Packaging

Separate packaging requirements apply as follows.

Domestic Mail for Limited Quantities (49 CFR § 173.421) whose activity per package does not exceed the limits specified in Exhibit 347.22:

Primary Receptacle

• The materials are packaged in strong, tight inner receptacles that will not leak any of the radioactive materials during normal Postal Service handling.

Absorbent and Cushioning Material

• Sufficient and suitably positioned absorbent material capable of absorbing at least twice the volume of the liquid contents in the event of leakage is required.
• Adequate cushioning material to withstand shock and pressure changes must surround the primary receptacle.

Secondary Packaging

• Liquid radioactive materials must be packaged within a leak–resistant and corrosion–resistant secondary packaging.

Outer Packaging

• The inner receptacle and the secondary packaging (when required) must be securely packed within a strong outer packaging. Refer to 339.4.
• The radiation level at any point on the external surface of the mailpiece must not exceed 0.5 millirem per hour.
• The nonfixed (removable) radioactive surface contamination on the external surface of the mailpiece does not exceed the applicable limits specified in 49 CFR § 173.443(a).
• The package does not contain fissile material unless excepted by 49 CFR § 173.453.
• No single dimension of the external mailpiece can be less than 2.5 centimeters (1 inch), and the length and girth can be no less than 30 centimeters (12 inches).

Marking

Labels and markings must be placed on the address side of the mailpiece unless specified differently in 221.1 and 325.1.

• The outside of the inner receptacle or the outside of the secondary packaging must be clearly marked “Radioactive.”
• The address side of the mailpiece must clearly display the following marking: “This package conforms to the conditions and limitations specified in 49 CFR § 173.421 for radioactive material, excepted package–limited quantity of material, UN2910 and is within Postal Service activity limits for mailing.”
• A complete return address and delivery address must be used.

Domestic Mail for Mailable Instruments and Articles (49 CFR § 173.424) permitted under 347:

Instruments and manufactured articles (including clocks, electronic tubes, or apparatus) or similar devices having radioactive materials in gaseous or non-dispersible solid form as a component part must be packed as follows:

Primary Receptacle

• The activity of the instrument or device must not exceed the relevant limit listed in Exhibit 347.22.
• The radiation level at 10 centimeters (4 inches) from any point on the external surface of the unpackaged instrument or device must not exceed 10 millirem per hour.

Cushioning Material

• Adequate cushioning material to withstand shock and pressure changes must surround the primary receptacle.

Outer Packaging

• The inner receptacle and cushioning material must be securely packed within a strong outer packaging. Refer to 339.4.
• The total activity per mailpiece must not exceed the relevant limit listed in Exhibit 347.22.
• The radiation level at any point on the external surface of the mailpiece containing the device or instrument must not exceed 0.5 millirem per hour.
• The nonfixed (removable) radioactive surface contamination on the external surface of the mailpiece must not exceed the applicable limits specified in 49 CFR § 173.443(a).
• The package does not contain fissile material unless excepted by 49 CFR § 173.453.
• At least one external dimension of the mailpiece must be no less than 10 centimeters (4 inches).

Marking

Labels and markings must be placed on the address side of the mailpiece unless specified differently in 221.1 and 325.1.

• The outside of the inner receptacle or the outside of the secondary packaging must be clearly marked “Radioactive.”
• The address side of the mailpiece must clearly display the following marking: “This package conforms to the conditions and limitations specified in 49 CFR § 173.424 for radioactive material, excepted package–instruments or articles, UN2911 and is within Postal Service activity limits for mailing.”
• A complete return address and delivery address must be used.

Domestic Mail for Mailable Excepted Articles Containing Uranium or Thorium (49 CFR § 173.426) permitted under 347:

Manufactured articles excepted under 347 and in which the sole radioactive material is natural or depleted uranium or natural thorium must be packaged as follows:

Primary Receptacle:

• The outer surface of the uranium or thorium is enclosed in an inactive sheath made of metal or other durable protective material.

Cushioning Material:

• Adequate cushioning material to withstand shock and pressure changes must surround the primary receptacle.

Outer Packaging:

• The inner receptacle and cushioning material must be securely packed within a strong outer packaging. (Refer to 339.4)
• The radiation level at any point on the external surface of the mailpiece must not exceed 0.5 millirem per hour.
• The nonfixed (removable) radioactive surface contamination on the external surface of the mailpiece must not exceed the applicable limits specified in 49 CFR § 173.443(a).

Marking:

Labels and markings must be placed on the address side of the mailpiece unless specified differently in 221.1 and 325.1.

• The outside of the inner receptacle or the outside of the secondary packaging must be clearly marked “Radioactive.”
• The address side of the mailpiece must clearly display the following marking: “This package conforms to the conditions and limitations specified in 49 CFR § 173.426 for radioactive material, excepted package–articles manufactured from natural uranium (or natural thorium), UN2909 and is within Postal Service activity limits for mailing.”
• A complete return address and delivery address is required.

Note: Shipping documentation (refer to 326) is not required for mailable radioactive materials.

International Mail:

The requirements specified in 622.3 and IMM 135.5 apply in addition to the Packaging Instructions for domestic mail.