USPS Packaging Instruction 8C

Manufactured Devices that Contain Small Amounts of Mercury

A corrosive is any liquid or solid that causes visible destruction or irreversible alteration in human skin tissue at the site of contact or a liquid that has a severe corrosion rate on steel.

A Class 8 manufactured article that contains minute amounts of mercury (such as compact fluorescent lamps [CFLs]) that meets the standards below is permitted in domestic mail provided all the applicable requirements in 348.22g are met.

Required Packaging

Primary Receptacle

Each primary device, article, or apparatus must be a securely sealed glass, or equivalent material, enclosure.
Each device, article, or apparatus must be cushioned and separated from other items and must not exceed 100 milligrams (mg) (0.0035 ounce) of mercury.
Multiple devices are permitted within a single mailpiece, provided the aggregate mercury quantity does not exceed 1 gram (g) (0.035 ounce) of mercury within the mailpiece.

Absorbent and Cushioning Material

A noncombustible absorbent/cushioning material, capable of containing any leakage in case of breakage, must surround each device.

Outer Shipping Container

The device(s), and its absorbent/cushioning material, must be packed in rigid, strong outer packaging.

Marking

Each mailpiece must bear the marking “Manufactured Devices Containing Less Than 100 mg Mercury.”
For air transportation, packages must bear the DOT square-on-point marking including the symbol “Y,” an approved DOT Class 8 hazardous material warning label, the identification number, and the proper shipping name.
For surface transportation, the mailpiece must be clearly marked on the address side with “Surface Only” or “Surface Mail Only” and “Consumer Commodity ORM–D” immediately following or below the proper shipping name.
Optionally, each mailpiece may bear an approved DOT limited quantity square-on-point marking, designating surface transportation, prepared under 348.4b, instead of an ORM-D marking.
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.