USPS Packaging Instruction 4B

Safety Matches

Safety matches (book, card, or strike–on–box) may be mailed only in domestic mail via surface transportation, provided all applicable requirements in 344 are met, including:

• They do not ignite spontaneously under conditions normally incident to transportation or when subjected for eight consecutive hours to a temperature of 200º F (93º C).
• They cannot be readily ignited by friction unless struck on their own or on a similar box, card, or book.

Note: Strike–anywhere matches assigned UN1331 and other types of matches assigned UN2254 or UN1945 are nonmailable.

Proper Shipping Name

• Matches, Safety.

ID Number

• UN1944.

Mailability

• International Mail: Prohibited.
• Domestic Mail: Permitted only via surface transportation.

Required Packaging

Primary Receptacle

• Mailable types of safety matches must be tightly packed in a securely sealed primary receptacle to prevent any shifting or movement that could cause accidental ignition by rubbing against adjoining items.
• Multiple primary receptacles are permitted per mailpiece.

Outer Packaging

• The outer packaging material must be made of fiberboard, wood, or other equivalent and be strong enough to prevent the inner contents from bursting through.
• The primary container(s) must be snugly packed within the outer packaging.
• Each mailpiece must not exceed a total weight of 25 pounds.

Marking

• The address side of each mailpiece must be clearly marked “Surface Only” or “Surface Mail Only” and either “Book Matches”, “Card matches,” or “Strike-on-Box Matches,” as applicable.
• A complete return address and delivery address must be used.

Documentation

• A shipping paper is not required.