527 Dead Animals or Parts of Animals

Dead animals or parts of animals, including wild animals, wild birds, or eggs may be acceptable for mailing if they meet the following conditions:

Lawful Origin: The animals or parts must be lawfully killed or taken, and their shipment must comply with all applicable laws of the United States as well as those of the state, territory, district, or foreign country or subdivision thereof where they were killed, taken, or offered for shipment.
Fresh Game: Mailing of fresh game is subject to the same standards. Dead animals or parts of animals are categorized into two groups based on handling requirements:

Group A: Items requiring refrigeration.
Group B: Items that must be dried.

Refer to Exhibit 527 for additional information on the conditions for mailing.

Exhibit 527

Requirements for Mailing Dead Animals or Parts of Animals
GROUP A: Items that need to be refrigerated
Game birds, fish, or other animals to be used for food. Animals or animal parts to be used in conservation studies or to be preserved by taxidermy.	Mailable only when: Overall requirements for animals (refer to 521) are met. A proper refrigerant is used as follows: Water ice: When water ice is used as a refrigerant, it must be packed like a liquid in a sealed, waterproof primary receptacle. The primary receptacle must be surrounded by absorbent cushioning material in a quantity sufficient to take up all water in the event of leakage. The primary receptacle and cushioning material must be securely packed within an outer (shipping) packaging. Dry ice: When dry ice is used, it must be packaged as required in 349.23. It must NEVER be placed in a sealed container. In addition, sufficient cushioning material must be used so that an inner container will not become loose inside the shipping container as the dry ice sublimates. Salt: The use of salt to retard spoilage can be effective. The mailpiece is properly addressed and marked as required under 221 and DMM 102.
GROUP B: Items that must be dried
Dried furs, hides, skins, or pelts of wild animals.	Mailable only when such articles: Are properly dried or cured. Have no offensive odor. Are plainly marked and/or labeled on the address side with the full names and addresses of shipper and addressee, together with such endorsement(s) as may be required by state laws. Are securely packaged and/or wrapped to prevent harm to Postal Service employees and damage to the package contents or postal equipment.