Postal Explorer > Publication 52 - Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail > 4 Restricted Matter

4 Restricted Matter

41 General

411 Definition

Restricted matter includes articles on which mailing restrictions have been imposed for reasons other than risk of harm to persons or property involved in moving the mail. Motor vehicle master keys and intoxicating liquors are examples of restricted items.

412 Mailer Responsibility

The mailer is responsible for ensuring that all Postal Service requirements, as well as all federal and state laws and local ordinances that apply to the shipment of an article of restricted matter, have been met.

413 Rulings

Where doubt exists about mailability of any article that is considered to be restricted matter, a request for a ruling may be made to the local postmaster (see 215.3).

When the qualification of an addressee to receive restricted matter within the conditions in this chapter and DMM 601.11.4 is in question, a postmaster may require the mailer or addressee to furnish a written explanation of the addressee's eligibility and/or the item's mailability. If the explanation is not satisfactory or when uncertainty remains, the postmaster may forward the explanation along with a statement of the facts to the PCSC for a ruling.

414 Nonmailable Matter Found in the Mails

All nonmailable articles of restricted matter discovered in the mailstream must immediately be reported in accordance with the provisions in the Postal Operations Manual (POM) 139.117 or 139.118, as appropriate.