Shipping Restrictions

Beer, wine, and liquor may not be sent through the mail. If you want to reuse a box for shipping that has alcoholic beverage labels on it, remove all logos and labels so your package will pass through the mail system.

Exceptions for Mailing Intoxicating Liquors

Cremated remains (human ashes) may be mailed domestically provided they are in a strong durable container and packaged properly with a "Cremated Remains" label. Packages must be sent via Priority Mail Express® service.

Packaging Cremated Remains

Only licensed manufacturers and dealers may mail or receive handguns. Even though unloaded rifles and shotguns are mailable, mailers must comply with applicable regulations.

Additional Information on Mailing Firearms

For domestic mailings only, small consumer-type primary lithium cells or batteries (lithium metal or lithium alloy) like those used to power cameras and flashlights are mailable domestically under certain conditions.

Safety Matches

Safety matches have treated match heads that will only ignite when struck against a specially prepared surface like a match book, card, or box. Safety matches may be shipped domestically using ground transportation. Safety matches may not be sent by air or mailed internationally.

Strike-Anywhere Matches

Strike–anywhere matches will light from friction against any surface. Strike-anywhere matches may not be mailed domestically or internationally.

Flammable or combustible paint and paint-related items are generally accepted for mailing provided the material can qualify as a consumer commodity material, or ORM-D (for surface only), and is sent within the quantity limitations and packaging requirements. Latex Paint or a similar water–based paint product that is not flammable or combustible is not regulated as a hazardous material, and therefore, is not restricted.

Perishable items are materials that can deteriorate in the mail, such as live animals, food, and plants. Permissible perishable items are sent at the mailer’s own risk. These items must be specially packaged and mailed so that they arrive before they begin to deteriorate.

Ordinary items that are breakable or fragile do not need special handling if they are packed with the right cushioning and marked clearly with the word, "FRAGILE." You may add Registered Mail™ to your delivery to further protect valuable or irreplaceable items.

Insurance & Extra Services

Only lithium cells and batteries that are properly installed in the equipment they are intended to operate may be sent internationally or to APO/FPO/DPO locations if not restricted or prohibited by the destination country. Lithium batteries packed with, but not installed in, equipment and lithium batteries sent separate from equipment are prohibited. Damaged or recalled batteries are prohibited and may not be mailed internationally under any circumstances.

Mailing Lithium Batteries Guidelines

When sending medicine or drugs through the mail, the mailer is responsible for the following:

• Ensuring compliance not only with Postal Service regulations, but also with all other federal laws and regulations, such as the Poison Prevention Packaging Act and the Consumer Product Safety Act, and with all local laws and regulations governing distribution of unsolicited samples.
• Being aware of other characteristics of an article or substance, such as its flammable, toxicity, or corrosive characteristics that may affect mailability.

Most cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products may not be mailed domestically or internationally.

Sometimes individuals may ship cigarettes and smokeless tobacco.

Mailing Cigarettes and Smokeless Tobacco Products
When you have an allowable cigarette or smokeless tobacco shipment, you must have your package approved by a Postal employee at a Post Office™.

All allowable cigarette shipments must have a unique marking on the address side of the package. Each type of shipping exception has its own marking.
Find a Post Office

Using Click-N-Ship®
Even if you create an address label using Click-N-Ship, you must take your package to the Post Office to mail. You may not put the package in a mailbox or leave it out for your mail carrier.

Check Cigarette or Smokeless Tobacco Eligibility

Tobacco products may be mailed as long as the shipments stay entirely within Alaska or Hawaii.

Each business or regulatory agency and consumer and public health testing facility must have a Return Receipt (PS Form 3811) with their shipment returnable to the PCSC PACT Mailing Office.