Shipping items through the United States Postal Service (USPS) involves adhering to specific guidelines and regulations. Understanding what you can and can’t send, especially regarding food, is crucial to avoid penalties and ensure safe delivery. This guide clarifies the rules around mailing food items, along with other prohibitions and restrictions.
Brown boxes marked with symbols for ammunition, mercury, and radioactive and flammable items, next to a red circle with a slash through it.
USPS Mailer Guidelines
All USPS customers must:
- Consult USPS Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, & Perishable Mail to determine if your item is mailable.
- Follow all Postal Service™ regulations and U.S. laws.
- Properly pack and mark your package as required. Consider visiting a Post Office™ location to confirm correct labeling.
Sending Perishable Items and Food Through the Mail
The USPS allows the shipment of certain perishable items and food, but it’s essential to understand the rules and restrictions. Can You Send Food Through The Mail? The answer is yes, but with conditions.
General Guidelines for Mailing Food
- Perishable Items: These include food, live animals, and plants. They are mailable at the sender’s risk.
- Proper Packaging: Food items must be packaged to prevent deterioration during transit.
- Speedy Delivery: Mail perishable items to arrive before they spoil.
- Extra Handling Fees: You may need to pay an extra handling fee depending on the shipping service.
Specific Food-Related Restrictions and Considerations
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Alcoholic Beverages: Generally prohibited, except under limited circumstances. If reusing a box with alcohol labels, remove all logos to avoid issues. Consult USPS guidelines on Exceptions for Mailing Intoxicating Liquors.
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Perishable Materials: Adhere to the Shipping Perishable Materials Guidelines to ensure items arrive in good condition.
Domestically Prohibited Items
Certain items are completely forbidden from being sent through the U.S. mail:
- Air Bags
- Ammunition
- Explosives
- Gasoline
- Liquid Mercury
- Marijuana (medical or otherwise); hemp/CBD is allowed but restricted
Domestically Restricted Items
Some items can be mailed only if you follow specific rules. Always consult USPS Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, & Perishable Mail for a complete list.
Dry Ice
Dry ice is allowed as a refrigerant for mailable hazardous or nonhazardous materials. Ensure packages containing dry ice permit the release of carbon dioxide gas. Refer to Shipping Dry Ice Rules & Restrictions.
Live Animals
With limited exceptions, pets and warm-blooded animals cannot be mailed. Shipments of live animals like poultry, reptiles, and bees have stringent packaging requirements and are subject to transportation availability and extra handling fees. Consult the Regulations on Shipping Live Animals.
Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT)
Hazardous materials are substances that can cause injury or damage if mishandled. This includes chemicals, flammable items, lithium batteries, and liquid mercury.
- Some HAZMAT items are prohibited.
- Others are restricted and can be mailed only if all rules are followed.
- Some HAZMAT items can only be shipped via ground transportation.
If you knowingly mail dangerous materials, you could face civil penalties of at least $250 (up to $100,000), cleanup costs, damages, and potential criminal penalties.
Tip: Consult the tutorial on sending hazardous materials, HAZMAT Shipping Safety.
Other Notable Restricted Items
Aerosols and Gases
Mailable gases and aerosols include propane, butane, and fire extinguishers, but specific rules apply.
Cigarettes, Cigars, & Tobacco
Cigarettes and smokeless tobacco are restricted and mailable only under limited circumstances, such as intra-Alaskan/Hawaiian shipments, business/regulatory purposes, small gifts, or individual returns. Cigars may be mailed domestically.
Cremated Remains
The USPS is the only carrier that ships cremated remains (human or pet). Use Priority Mail Express® and follow specific packaging guidelines.
Hemp Products (including CBD)
You can send certain hemp-based products domestically if the THC content is 0.3 percent or less and you comply with all applicable laws.
Medicines & Prescription Drugs
Medicines are controlled substances with strict regulations. Prescription medications may only be mailed by DEA-registered distributors.
Mercury
Liquid mercury is prohibited. However, devices containing small amounts of mercury vapor, like compact fluorescent lamps, are mailable with restrictions.
Conclusion
Can you send food through the mail? Yes, but careful consideration of USPS guidelines is paramount. Always review USPS Publication 52 to ensure compliance with all regulations. Properly packaging your items and understanding restrictions on perishable and hazardous materials will help you avoid penalties and ensure the safe arrival of your shipment. When in doubt, visit your local Post Office™ for assistance.
