442 Mailability

A switchblade knife, as defined in 441.2, is mailable only to the following categories of addressees:

1. Government Supply or Procurement Officials: Designated officers or employees ordering, procuring, or purchasing switchblade knives in connection with the activities of their respective governments or organizations, such as:
1. Federal employees, civilian, or armed forces supply or procurement officers.
2. Supply or procurement officers of the National Guard, Air National Guard, or militia of a state, territory, or the District of Columbia (D.C.).
3. Supply or procurement officers or employees of municipal government in D.C., or of the government of any state, territory, county, city, or other political subdivision of a state or territory.

Note: Postal Service employees may require that the mailer verify the recipient belongs to one of the above categories before accepting any mailpiece containing an article or articles described in 441.2.

2. Manufacturers or Dealers: Authorized manufacturers or bona fide dealers may mail switchblade knives to addresses within one of the categories listed above in connection with official procurement or resale.

When uncertain about the mailability of a sharp instrument or a switchblade knife, a ruling may be requested from the local postmaster (refer to 215).