Postal Explorer > Publication 52 - Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail > 2 General Guidelines > 25 Basic Guidelines for Acceptance and Dispatch

25 Basic Guidelines for Acceptance and Dispatch

251 Guidelines for Acceptance Personnel

Postal Service personnel may not open mail sealed against inspection except under the circumstances described in ASM 274. Accordingly, knowledge of the content of such mail may be obtained directly from the mailer (e.g., a mailer may ask questions about mailing requirements or mark the outside of the mailpiece to indicate the contents) or indirectly through leakage or other escape of the contents. Subject to the applicable restrictions, acceptance personnel must:

a. Determine the mailability of all hazardous materials, perishable matter, or otherwise restricted matter offered for mailing at a retail unit or business mail entry unit (BMEU). This process must include a thorough inspection of all sides of the mailpiece for evidence of hazardous materials (e.g., markings). At retail units, mailers must be asked the question: "Does this parcel contain anything fragile, liquid, perishable, or potentially hazardous?"

b. If the contents are mailable, determine the specific quantity limitations, labeling, and packaging requirements that apply.

c. Refuse to accept any material (as permitted in POM 139) that does not meet the applicable DMM requirements for mailing (see DMM 601.8) and refer the circumstances to your local postmaster or PCSC for a mailability ruling under 213 or 215, as appropriate.

d. If the parcel containing a diagnostic (clinical) specimen is in a sack or tub, PS Tag 44 must be attached to ensure that the sack will be emptied at the processing point. Dispatch all mailable hazardous materials as stated in the POM and MI DM-601-05-1, Hazardous Materials Acceptance and Handling.

See Chapter 7 for guidelines Postal Service acceptance personnel should follow when handling hazardous materials, restricted matter, or perishable matter to be transported by air. Additional information on the proper acceptance of hazardous materials can be found in MI DM-601-05-1, Hazardous Materials Acceptance and Handling.

252 Guidelines for Dispatch Personnel

The following guidelines for Postal Service dispatch personnel are general in nature. Specific dispatch procedures for Postal Service operational employees are in the MI DM-601-05-1, Hazardous Materials Acceptance and Handling, and the POM.

a. Make sure that the hazardous material, restricted matter, or perishable matter is given proper handling to avoid damage or danger.

b. Tender to the air carrier only those mailpieces that are properly packaged and marked. Before a shipment is tendered to a carrier, make sure that:

(1) A proper and strong packaging method is used.

(2) A secure method of package closure is used, and there is no visual evidence of leakage or damage. (If damage is detected, isolate the damaged mailpiece and notify the appropriate personnel in case of accident or incident and for proper spill response.)

(3) The outer packaging bears all required markings and/or labels.

(4) A properly completed shipping paper is attached to the outside of the mailpiece and to the dispatch document. The shipping paper must include the information detailed in 326 and Exhibit 326.

(5) If the mailpiece contains a material believed to be nonmailable, treat it in accordance with MI DM-601-05-1, Hazardous Materials Acceptance and Handling, and POM 139.117-118, as appropriate.

See Chapter 7 for more information regarding the air transportation of mailable hazardous materials, restricted matter, or perishable matter. Also see MI DM-601-05-1, Hazardous Materials Acceptance and Handling, for more information on the handling, processing, and dispatch of hazardous materials.