Shipping Hazardous Materials and Dangerous Goods
Shipping Hazardous Materials and Dangerous Goods
Updated 8/4/2023
Items like cell phones, cameras, lithium batteries, nail polish, hand sanitizer, or other hazardous materials require special handling and disclosure. Depending on where you are shipping, some items can even be forbidden. Shippers are liable for the contents of packages and following all laws and the USPS rules for hazardous materials.
How to ship dangerous goods and hazardous materials:
- Select “Yes” for dangerous good
- Put dangerous items in separate packages, as they must ship alone
- Use the USPS Ground Advantage Service
- If the item contains a lithium battery, it must be installed properly in the device and be within the limits of 622.5
- If your package contains a lithium battery, label the box or write “Restricted Electronic Device – Surface Transportation Only” on the box.
For packages sent inside the United States, a battery label should be placed on boxes containing lithium batteries, and a hazardous materials label should be placed on boxes containing nonbattery goods. Do not put hazard or battery labels on APO, FPO, or DPO shipments; they could be returned, and the postage is nonrefundable. Use a full and accurate description of the item in your customs fields (remember the device must be new and unopened to send).
NOTE: APO/FPO/ DPO overseas military shipments must follow domestic shipping restrictions and International Shipping Requirements. APO/FPO/DPO addresses also have base-specific restrictions; see Military Restrictions. A detailed description of the item must be placed in the customs field, and the word new should be included for electronic devices since used or damaged electronics cannot be sent. Also, a dangerous item must ship by itself in a separate box.
General Prohibited or Restricted Domestic Items:
General Prohibited or Restricted APO, FPO, DPO, and International Items:
Per the USPS Postal Explorer Batteries Section 135.62 General:
*“Only lithium cells and batteries under 135.63 and 135.64 that are properly installed in the equipment they are intended to operate may be sent internationally or to APO, FPO, or DPO locations when not restricted or prohibited by the destination country or APO, FPO, or DPO location. For specific country restrictions, see the applicable Individual Country Listing. For specific APO, FPO, or DPO restrictions, see the information for the destination ZIP Code in the article “Overseas Military/Diplomatic Mail” published in each issue of the Postal Bulletin.
Lithium batteries packed with equipment and lithium batteries sent separately from equipment are prohibited. Damaged or recalled batteries are prohibited and may not be mailed internationally under any circumstances.
Here is a tutorial for shipping hazardous materials: Hazmat Shipping Safety
Reminder: Hazardous, restricted, or perishable materials mailed to, from, and between overseas Military and Diplomatic Post Offices are subject to the conditions of International Mail Manual 130, and the standards in Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail, and conditions prescribed by the Department of Defense (DOD), as listed in the “Overseas Military/Diplomatic Mail” section of the Postal Bulletin.
USPS Hazardous Materials Fee Changes – Effective July 12, 2026:
Beginning July 12, 2026, USPS began charging a Hazardous Materials Handling Fee on eligible domestic hazardous materials shipments. USPS may also assess a Noncompliance Fee if hazardous materials aren’t properly identified or required package markings don’t match the shipment.
To help avoid additional fees:
Always select Yes for Dangerous Goods when creating your shipping label, if applicable.
Apply any required hazardous materials or lithium battery markings.
Make sure your package markings match your shipping information and follow shipping rules depending on where you are sending the package to.
Ship Thrifty reminders
Military (APO/FPO/DPO)
Never place hazardous materials or lithium battery labels on overseas military shipments.
Electronic devices containing lithium batteries must be new and your customs description should indicate the item is new.
Domestic packages mailed inside the U.S.
Dangerous Goods may only be shipped by ground transportation through Ship Thrifty.
Apply the required hazardous materials or lithium battery label and write “For Ground Transportation Only” on the package.
A few extra seconds verifying your shipment can help prevent delays, returned packages, and additional USPS fees. For complete requirements and downloadable labels, see our Shipping Hazardous Materials and Dangerous Goods resource.
