USPS Eases Rules: Mail More Toxins, Skip the Phone Number?
Published Date: 1/27/2025
Rule
Summary
The Postal Service is updating its rules for mailing hazardous materials to make outer packaging safer and clearer. If you send dangerous goods or toxic materials, you’ll notice new packaging requirements and no more limits on how much nonregulated toxic stuff you can mail. These changes start soon and help keep everyone safe without extra costs or hassle.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
New Required Outer Packaging
The Postal Service will require specific outer packaging when mailing most hazardous materials (HAZMAT) or dangerous goods (DG). If you send hazardous or dangerous items through the mail, you must use the new required outer packaging rules described in Publication 52, section 131.
Quantity Limits Removed for Nonregulated Toxics
The Postal Service is removing quantity restrictions for nonregulated toxic materials in Publication 52. If you mail nonregulated toxic materials, the former quantity limits no longer apply under the updated rules.
Lithium Battery Marking Change
The Postal Service is removing the telephone number requirement from the lithium battery mark in Publication 52. If you mail items with lithium batteries, you no longer need to include a telephone number on the lithium battery mark.
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Key Dates
Related Federal Register Documents
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