USPS Prohibited Items

This is  a re-publish as I move the highlights over from my website to the new series of blogs.

By request, here is the link to the United States Postal Service’s list of prohibited items. A few noteworthy groups are listed below. This is not an all inclusive list…when in doubt check out their website (link above).

Hazardous Material is PROHIBITED under any circumstances. Some examples of commonly-used items restricted or considered hazardous under USPS regulations include:

	Perfumes
	Nail polish
	Flea collars or flea sprays
	Aerosols
	Bleach
	Pool chemicals
	Paints
	Matches
	Batteries
	Fuels or gasoline
	Airbags
	Dry ice
	Mercury thermometers
	Cleaning supplies
	Items previously containing fuel
	Glues
	Fireworks

**Noteworthy- aerosol cans. I will note that Neutrogena has non-aerosol shaving gel.

Aside from hazardous materials, the USPS has quite a few RESTRICTED items. Many of these items may be mailed; however, they need to be declared at the time of shipping.  The USPS definition of “restricted” items is as follows: “imposed for reasons other than risk of harm to persons or property involved in moving the mail. Motor vehicle master keys and intoxicating liquors are examples of restricted items.”  Liquids and powders fall into this category, especially post 9/11 due to aviation mail restrictions.

**Make sure to declare the toiletries that you mail. My recommendation is placing all liquids inside a ziploc style bag that is large enough to properly seal. I know that many companies make up to 2 gallon size bags (not that you should need that big). This will give reassurance to the postal worker that there will not be leaks and saves everything else in the box if there is a leak.

PERISHABLE items also fall under restriction and require declaration at the time of mailing as well as extra packaging. The USPS definition of perishable items is as follows: “value, create a health hazard, or cause an obnoxious odor, nuisance, or disturbance, under ordinary mailing conditions. Mailable perishable matter may be sent at the mailer’s own risk when it is packaged as required and when it can be delivered within appropriate and reasonable time limits to prevent deterioration.items, and plants.”

All cookies and snacks that you send need to be declared. The topic of cookie packaging for mailing is addressed in a separate post.

**Note- fresh fruit and vegetables are prohibited. Any fruit that is mailed needs to be dried.