USPS Packaging Instruction 8A

Corrosives

A corrosive is any liquid or solid that causes visible destruction or irreversible alteration in human skin tissue at the site of contact or a liquid that has a severe corrosion rate on steel.

A Class 8 corrosive material that qualifies as an ORM–D material is permitted in domestic mail provided that all applicable requirements in 348 and DMM 601.10.19 are met.

Proper Shipping Name

• Consumer Commodity.

ID Number

• Various (see Appendix A).

Mailability

• International Mail: Prohibited.
• Domestic Mail: Permitted via air transportation (Express Mail, Priority Mail, and First–Class Mail) or surface transportation as Standard Mail or Parcel Post.

Required Packaging

Separate packaging requirements apply for liquids and solids.

• For Mailable Liquid Corrosives:
• General:
• Liquid Corrosive. A liquid mixture must be 1 pint (16 ounces) or less, and must contain 15 percent or less corrosive material with the remainder of the mixture not being a hazardous material, unless otherwise specified for a specific corrosive material.
• Primary Receptacles:
• Primary receptacles must be securely sealed compatible glass bottles.
• The primary receptacle must be tightly sealed with a screw cap having a minimum of one–and–one–half turns, a soldering clip, or other means to effect secure closure. A friction–top closure is not acceptable.
• Volume per primary receptacle is limited to 16 ounces.
• Multiple primary receptacles are permitted.
• Absorbent and Cushioning Material:
• A noncombustible absorbent material that is capable of taking up all liquid in case of leakage must surround the primary receptacle.
• Cushioning material must surround the primary receptacle to prevent breakage.
• Secondary Packaging:
• The secondary packaging container must be constructed of metal or plastic and be compatible with the design of the primary receptacle.
• The secondary container must be tightly sealed with a screw cap having a minimum of one–and–one–half turns, a soldering clip, or other means to effect secure closure. A friction–top closure is not acceptable.
• Outer Shipping Container:
• The primary receptacle, absorbent material, cushioning material, and secondary packaging must be packed in a strong outer packaging.
• Each mailpiece must not exceed a total weight of 25 pounds.
• Marking:
• For air transportation, the mailpiece must be clearly marked on the address side with “Consumer Commodity ORM–D AIR” immediately following or below the proper shipping name.
• For surface transportation, the mailpiece must be clearly marked on the address side with “Surface Only” or “Surface Mail Only” and “Consumer Commodity ORM–D” immediately following or below the proper shipping name.
• Optionally each mailpiece may bear the appropriate DOT limited quantity square-on-point marking (including the appropriate DOT hazardous material warning label when required for air shipments), prepared under 348.4c, instead of an ORM-D or ORM-D AIR marking.
• A complete return address and delivery address must be used.
• Documentation:
• For air transportation, a properly completed shipper's declaration for dangerous goods must be prepared in triplicate and affixed to the outside of the mailpiece.
• For Mailable Solid Corrosives:
• General:
• A solid mixture must be 10 pounds or less per primary receptacle and must contain 10 percent or less corrosive material with the remainder of the mixture not being a hazardous material, unless otherwise specified for a specific corrosive solid.
• Primary Receptacle:
• Each primary receptacle must be siftproof and be securely sealed.
• Secondary Packaging:
• Each primary receptacle must be packed within a siftproof secondary packaging container that is compatible with the primary receptacle.
• Outer Packaging:
• The primary receptacle and the compatible secondary packaging containers must be snugly packed within a strong outer packaging.
• Multiple primary receptacles and compatible secondary packaging containers may be packed within a single outer packaging up to a total weight of 25 pounds per mailpiece.
• Marking:
• For air transportation, the mailpiece must be clearly marked on the address side with “Consumer Commodity or ORM–D AIR” immediately following or below the proper shipping name.
• For surface transportation, the mailpiece must be clearly marked on the address side with “Surface Only” or “Surface Mail Only” and “Consumer Commodity ORM–D” immediately following or below the proper shipping name.
• Optionally each mailpiece may bear the appropriate DOT limited quantity square-on-point marking (including the appropriate DOT hazardous material warning label when required for air shipments), prepared under 348.4c, instead of an ORM-D or ORM-D AIR marking.
• A complete return address and delivery address is required.
• Documentation:
• For air transportation, a properly completed shipper's declaration for dangerous goods must be prepared in triplicate and affixed to the outside of the mailpiece.