Many household items can’t go in the mail.
Hazardous materials come in a wide variety of forms and can be chemical, biological, radioactive, or a combination thereof.
The Postal Service's definition of a hazardous material includes many common household and consumer products. They may not be dangerous on your shelf at home, but they can become a hazard when shaken or when the temperature or pressure changes.
Fireworks, ammunition, fuses, model rocket engines, automobile air bags |
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Aerosols, hairspray, scuba tanks, compressed gas containers, lighters, butane, propane |
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Fuels (gasoline), items that contain or used to contain fuel (lighters, propane cylinders, used gasoline tanks), some paints and inks, furniture varnishes, perfumes |
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Toxic Materials and Infectious Substances |
Insecticides, pesticides, pepper spray, infectious substances, sharps, patient specimens |
Scientific instruments, products requiring a radioactive warning label |
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Bleach, ammonia, batteries, drain cleaners, mercury, oven cleaners |
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Miscellaneous Hazardous |
Magnets, dry ice, self-inflating lifesaving devices, lithium and lithium-ion batteries |
Persons violating these law are subject to fines, imprisonment, or other severe penalties.