Most of us don’t think twice about mailing a package. Put the item in a box, add some packing material, pay for postage, and send it on its way. It seems pretty straightforward.
But some everyday items have mailing rules that aren’t nearly as obvious.
The U.S. Postal Service handles millions of packages, letters, and other pieces of mail, and certain items are restricted because they can cause fires, leaks, explosions, or other safety problems. Some can be mailed under specific conditions, while others can’t be sent through USPS at all.
That can be confusing. A can of spray paint in the garage, a bottle of perfume in the bathroom, or a few spare batteries in a drawer may need special handling before you can pack them.
Before you tape up your next box, review these common items and the rules that may apply.
Air Bags
You can’t simply put car airbags in a box and mail them. They contain an inflator that uses a chemical reaction to produce gas and fill the airbag during a crash.
Because of the way they’re classified, airbags are subject to hazardous materials rules and aren’t accepted through regular USPS mailing.
If you’re shipping an airbag, check with a carrier that handles hazardous materials and can tell you exactly how to package and transport it.
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Gasoline
Gasoline is highly flammable, and the fumes can create a serious fire hazard. That doesn’t make it something you can pour into a container and mail.
Even an empty fuel container can still contain gasoline vapors. USPS has strict rules around flammable liquids, and gasoline isn’t something you can send through ordinary mail.
Marijuana
State laws can make marijuana legal for recreational or medical use, but that doesn’t mean you can put it in the mail.
USPS operates under federal law, and marijuana remains a controlled substance under federal law. Mailing it through USPS is prohibited, regardless of whether marijuana is legal in the state where you live.
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Aerosols
Aerosol cans are common around the house. You might have spray paint in the garage, hairspray in the bathroom, or a can of household cleaner under the sink.
The problem is that many aerosols are pressurized, and some contain flammable ingredients. Certain aerosol products can be mailed domestically by ground transportation when they meet USPS requirements, but they aren’t automatically approved for mailing.
Before sending one, check the label and current USPS rules for that particular product.
Alcoholic Beverages
That bottle of wine sitting in your kitchen can’t simply be wrapped in bubble wrap and dropped at the post office.
USPS generally prohibits mailing beer, wine, and distilled spirits, with limited exceptions for certain authorized shippers and specific circumstances. State laws can also apply.
If you’re a regular consumer, don’t assume you can mail alcohol just because you’re sending it to someone in another state.
Cigarettes and Tobacco
Cigarettes and many tobacco products have strict mailing restrictions. Federal law limits who can mail them through USPS, and only certain exceptions apply.
The rules can also vary by tobacco product and by who is sending or receiving it. Simply putting a carton of cigarettes in a box and mailing it isn’t allowed.
Violating tobacco mailing laws can also lead to serious penalties, so it’s worth checking before shipping.
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Dry Ice
Dry ice may seem harmless because it’s used to keep food frozen, but shipping it requires some care.
As dry ice warms, it turns directly into carbon dioxide gas. If it’s sealed inside an airtight container, the pressure can build up.
USPS allows dry ice in certain domestic shipments when the package meets its requirements. Packages containing dry ice need the proper markings and packaging, and air transportation has additional restrictions.
Lithium Batteries
Lithium batteries are found in phones, laptops, cameras, power tools, and plenty of other things around the house.
They’re useful, but damaged or improperly packaged lithium batteries can create a fire hazard. Some batteries can be mailed domestically under specific conditions, while damaged, defective, or recalled batteries have much stricter rules.
If you’re mailing a device with a lithium battery inside, check the current USPS requirements before packing it.
Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitizer often contains a high percentage of alcohol, which makes many types flammable.
Because of that, restrictions apply to how hand sanitizer can be shipped. Certain quantities may be mailed domestically by ground transportation when they meet USPS hazardous materials requirements.
Don’t assume that every bottle is treated the same way. Check the product’s ingredients, packaging, and the current mailing rules before sending it.
Perfumes and Nail Polish
Perfume and nail polish are two more bathroom products that can cause problems in the mail.
Many perfumes contain a large amount of alcohol, while nail polish can contain flammable solvents. Depending on the product, these liquids may fall under USPS rules for flammable liquids.
You may be able to mail some domestically by ground when packaged and labeled correctly, but you generally can’t send them by air. If you’re mailing either one, check the specific product and shipping method first.
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Paint and Adhesives
Paint cans, paint thinner, and strong adhesives can contain flammable solvents. That means you can’t treat them like an ordinary household item when you’re preparing a package.
Some water-based paints may qualify for mailing under certain conditions. Oil-based paints, thinners, and solvent-heavy products can have much stricter restrictions.
Check the product label and USPS hazardous materials requirements before mailing any paint or adhesive.
Firearms
Firearms are subject to federal and state laws, and USPS has its own rules for mailing them.
Licensed dealers and certain other authorized parties may be able to mail particular firearms under specific conditions. Handguns have especially strict restrictions and generally can’t be mailed by ordinary consumers.
If a firearm needs to be shipped, the sender must follow applicable federal, state, and USPS rules rather than treating it like a normal package.
Live Animals
You might be surprised to learn that you can mail some live animals under the right conditions.
Certain insects, birds, and other small animals may qualify under USPS rules, as long as the sender follows the packaging and handling requirements. Bees and some poultry are examples of animals you can mail under specific circumstances.
You can’t send warm-blooded pets such as dogs and cats through USPS. If you’re dealing with a live animal, check the rules for that exact species before making any plans.
Matches
Not all matches are treated the same way.
USPS prohibits mailing strike-anywhere matches because they’re much easier to ignite. Safety matches have different rules and may be mailed domestically by ground transportation when packaged and marked according to hazardous materials requirements.
If you have a box of matches sitting in a camping drawer, don’t assume they’re automatically okay to send. Check what type they are first.
Prescription Medications
Prescription medications can be subject to federal and state laws, and controlled substances have especially strict mailing rules.
Individuals generally can’t mail controlled substances through USPS. Authorized pharmacies, medical providers, manufacturers, or other parties that meet the applicable requirements may mail certain prescription medications.
If you need to send medication to someone, check with the pharmacy or USPS first rather than putting the bottle in a regular package and hoping it makes it through.
