USPS: No More DIY Boxes for Mailing Grandma's Ashes Starting March!
Published Date: 2/19/2025
Rule
Summary
Starting March 1, 2025, anyone mailing human or animal cremated remains must use special packaging supplied by the Postal Service. This new rule replaces the old one where any box with a special label was allowed. It’s designed to make shipping ashes safer and easier to track, with no extra cost for the packaging itself.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 5 costs, 0 mixed.
Service limited to Priority Mail Express
Domestic shipments of cremated remains must be sent via Priority Mail Express service only, effective March 1, 2025. International shipments, when permitted by the destination country, must be sent via Priority Mail Express International and mailers must verify the destination accepts that service and cremated remains before mailing.
You must use USPS BOX-CRE packaging
Starting March 1, 2025, anyone mailing human or animal cremated remains must use the Postal Service’s special Priority Mail Express cremated remains branded boxes (BOX-CRE) available on usps.com. Previously mailers could use any box marked with Label 139—Cremated Remains; that option is replaced by the BOX-CRE requirement.
Extra services restricted to insurance and return receipt
Mailpieces containing cremated remains may only use two Extra Services: additional insurance and return receipt, per the updated rules in Publication 52. No other Extra Services are permitted with cremated remains mailpieces.
New labeling and documentation requirements
Shipping labels for cremated remains must bear an Intelligent Mail package barcode (IMpb) with the proper cremated remains Service Type Code (STC) and include the proper Extra Services Code (ESC) in the Shipping Services File; labels may be printed via Click‑N‑Ship, other USPS‑approved methods, or at a Post Office. For international mail, the contents "cremated remains" must be indicated on the customs declaration, and the sender is responsible for obtaining required cremation certificates, permits, and destination permissions.
Inner container and packing rules for cremains
The inner container must be sift proof and sealed (domestic: a strong, durable sift‑proof inner container; international: a sealed, sift‑proof funeral urn is required). All cremated remains mailings must use the USPS BOX‑CRE outer box, place the inner container in a sealed plastic bag, add padding so contents do not move, and follow Packaging Instruction 10C.
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