Revised USPS Hazmat Packaging Standards for Mail

Posted on 1/28/2025 by Lion Technology Inc.

New Rules for Hazmat Mailers Take Immediate Effect

Effective January 27, 2025, the US Postal Service has revised its standards for mailing hazmat/dangerous goods to require "rigid" outer packaging of a certain strength for most regulated materials. USPS announced the changes to Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail, in a Final Rule.

Other revisions in the Final Rule include:

Revising the requirements for mailing lithium batteries.
Removing quantity restrictions for nonregulated toxic materials like pesticides and insecticides, provided that the new packaging requirements are followed.
Removing the requirement to include a phone number on the lithium battery mark.

The Postal Service cites a concerning increase in hazmat mail incidents between 2020 and 2022 as a key influence for new, more stringent mailability rules. A boom in eCommerce shipping, USPS believes, led to more incidents involving hazardous materials released during transportation and/or removed from the mail system.

Changes made in 2023, USPS says, already helped lower the incident rate by 20%.

New Packaging Strength Requirement (All Hazmat)

Moving forward, mailers of hazardous materials must use rigid outer packaging that meets minimum strength requirements based on “edge crush” and “burst test” performance. USPS defines “rigid” to mean:

“Unable to bend or be forced out of shape, not flexible. Rigid outer packaging is generally interpreted to mean a fiberboard (cardboard) box or outer packaging of equivalent strength, durability, and rigidity.”

Revised USPS Hazmat Packaging Standards for Mail

Revised Rules for Lithium Batteries by Mail

For shippers of lithium batteries contained-in-equipment by mail, the rule allows the use of padded or poly bags as outer packaging, provided the equipment containing the batteries is placed in a secondary container (i.e., the original manufacturer’s box) that can withstand a 1.2-meter drop test.

Read the USPS Final Rule in the January 27, 2025 Federal Register.

Tags: hazmat, hazmat shipping, USPS

Find a Post

Search for:

Compliance Topics

Compliance Archives

If I need thorough training or updating, I always use Lion. Lion is always the best in both instruction and materials.

Bryce Parker

EHS Manager

This training broke down the regulations in an easy-to-understand manner and made them less overwhelming. I now feel I have the knowledge to make more informed decisions.

Amanda Oswald

Shipping Professional

The instructor clearly enjoys his job and transmits that enthusiasm. He made a dry subject very interesting and fun.

Teresa Arellanes

EHS Manager

Lion's information is very thorough and accurate. Presenter was very good.

Melissa Little

Regulatory Manager

You blew the doors off the competition!

Stephen Bieschke

Facilities Manager

I tried other environmental training providers, but they were all sub-standard compared to Lion. I will not stray from Lion again!

Sara Sills

Environmental Specialist

Best course instructor I've ever had. Funny, relatable, engaging; made it interesting and challenged us as the professionals we are.

Amanda Schwartz

Environmental Coordinator

The instructor was very very informative, helpful, understandable and pleasant. This course answered many questions I had, being new to this industry.

Frances Mona

Shipping Manager

This is the best RCRA training I've experienced! I will be visiting Lion training again.

Cynthia L. Logsdon

Principal Environmental Engineer

The workshop covered a lot of information without being too overwhelming. Lion is much better, more comprehensive than other training providers.

George Alva

Manufacturing Manager

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

A guide to developing standard operating procedures, or SOPs, that help you select, manage, and audit your hazmat agents and contractors.

Download

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.