711 Mailer Responsibility

711.1 General

Full responsibility rests with the mailer to comply with all Postal Service and non-Postal Service laws and regulations regarding the mailing of hazardous materials. Anyone who mails, or causes to be mailed, a nonmailable or improperly packaged hazardous material can be subject to legal penalties, including, but not limited to, those specified in Title 18 United States Code (U.S.C.).

711.2 Warning Labels and Marking Requirements

Except where noted, hazardous materials acceptable for air transportation generally fall within the consumer commodity or mailable limited quantity categories. Some air-eligible mailable hazardous materials have marking and packaging requirements that are unique to mailpieces (e.g. SP 9275, certain mailable infectious substances and medical waste, and dry ice). Department of Transportation (DOT) hazard class warning and handling labels must be displayed when applicable. The following guidelines outline the necessary markings, labels, and documentation for eligible hazard classes:

1. Hazard Classes 2, 3, and 6.1, or Portions of 9: Mailpieces containing air-eligible materials within these classes must display the DOT diamond-shaped marking, with a black top and bottom, a black border, and a white or contrasting background. The black symbol "Y" must be clearly visible at the center of the diamond (refer to Exhibit 325.5). Each mailpiece must also be marked with the proper shipping name ("Consumer Commodity") and identification number ("ID8000"), with an approved DOT Class 9 hazardous material warning label (refer to Exhibit 325.4(b)). A completed Shipper‘s Declaration for Dangerous Goods, prepared in triplicate, must be affixed to the outside of the mailpiece.
2. Hazard Classes 5.1, 5.2, or 8: Packages must be marked with a DOT diamond-shaped limited quantity mark with the symbol "Y" in the center. Refer to Exhibit 325.5. Each package must also be marked with the proper shipping name, identification number, and an approved DOT class 5.1, 5.2, or 8 hazardous materials warning label. Exhibit 325.4(b). A properly completed Shipper‘s Declaration for Dangerous Goods, prepared in triplicate, must also be affixed to the outside of the package.
3. Marking Specifications: Markings must be durable, legible, readily visible, and applied to at least one side or end of the outer packaging. The diamond-shaped border must be at least 2 mm in width, with a minimum side dimension of 100 mm, unless the package size necessitates a reduced marking of no less than 50 mm on each side.

711.3 Shipper‘s Declaration for Dangerous Goods

Most mailable hazardous materials (including consumer commodity materials or mailable limited quantity materials), when sent by air transportation, must be accompanied by a Shipper‘s Declaration for Dangerous Goods (refer to 326). Requirements for which mailable hazardous materials necessitate a Shipper‘s Declaration for Dangerous Goods when sent via air transportation can be found in Chapter 3, and the appropriate Packaging Instruction in Appendix C.

The Shipper‘s Declaration for Dangerous Goods must be properly completed, signed in triplicate by the mailer, and properly prepared, as required by 49 CFR § 172.200 through 172.205, which, in part, requires the following information:

1. Proper shipping name of material.
2. Hazard class.
3. UN or NA identification number, as applicable.
4. The quantity and type of packaging.
5. The Packaging Instruction used.
6. The full name, address, and telephone number of the shipper or consignee.
7. The shipper‘s certification statement.

Neither the Postal Service nor DOT stocks or furnishes Shipper‘s Declaration forms. Mailers may obtain them from commercial printers, internet-based retailers, safety supply stores, or stationery stores.