|
Postal Explorer > Publication 52 - Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail > Appendix C USPS Packaging Instructions for Mailable Hazardous Materials > USPS Packaging Instruction 7A
Radioactive materials are prohibited in international mail and domestic mail if
required to bear the DOT Radioactive White-I, Radioactive Yellow-II,
Radioactive Yellow-III label, or the Fissile label (49 CFR 172.436, 172.438, or
172.440, respectively) or if it contains quantities of radioactive material in
excess of those authorized in 347. Radioactive materials are prohibited in
domestic mail via air transportation. For international mail, the standards in
IMM 135 apply.
The only categories of radioactive material that are mailable are those that
can be classified as a "limited quantity" under 49 CFR and that meet the
limits in Exhibit 347.22: excepted instruments, articles, and devices, and
excepted articles containing natural uranium and thorium. Accurate
documentation of the activity limits, which must not exceed those specified in
Exhibit 347.22, must be provided.
• Radioactive Material, excepted package-limited quantity, UN2910.
• Radioactive Material, excepted package-instruments or articles,
UN2911.
• Radioactive Material, excepted package-articles manufactured from
natural uranium (or natural thorium), UN2909.
• International Mail: Only as permitted in 622.3 and IMM 135, and when
sent as a registered air letter package.
• Domestic Mail: Permitted only via surface transportation sent as
Standard Mail or Parcel Post and when the applicable requirements in
347 are met.
Separate packaging requirements apply as follows.
Domestic Mail for Limited Quantities (49 CFR 173.421) whose
activity per package does not exceed the limits specified in
Exhibit 347.22:
Primary Receptacle
• The materials are packaged in strong, tight inner receptacles that will
not leak any of the radioactive materials during normal Postal Service
handling.
Absorbent and Cushioning Material
• Sufficient and suitably positioned absorbent material capable of
absorbing at least twice the volume of the liquid contents in the event
of leakage is required.
• Adequate cushioning material to withstand shock and pressure
changes must surround the primary receptacle.
Secondary Packaging
• Liquid radioactive materials must be packaged within a leak-resistant
and corrosion-resistant secondary packaging.
Outer Packaging
• The inner receptacle and the secondary packaging (when required)
must be securely packed within a strong outer packaging.
• The radiation level at any point on the external surface of the mailpiece
must not exceed 0.5 millirem per hour.
• The nonfixed (removable) radioactive surface contamination on the
external surface of the mailpiece does not exceed the applicable limits
specified in 49 CFR 173.443(a).
• The package does not contain fissile material unless excepted by
49 CFR 173.453.
• No single dimension of the external mailpiece can be less than
2.5 centimeters (1 inch), and the length and girth can be no less than
30 centimeters (12 inches).
Marking
• The outside of the inner receptacle or the outside of the secondary
packaging must be clearly marked "Radioactive."
• The address side of the mailpiece must clearly display the following
marking: "This package conforms to the conditions and limitations
specified in 49 CFR 173.421 for radioactive material, excepted
package-limited quantity of material, UN2910 and is within Postal
Service activity limits for mailing."
• A complete return address and delivery address must be used.
Domestic Mail for Mailable Instruments and Articles (49 CFR
173.424) permitted under 347:
Instruments and manufactured articles (including clocks, electronic tubes, or
apparatus) or similar devices having radioactive materials in gaseous or
nondispersible solid form as a component part must be packed as follows:
Primary Receptacle
• The activity of the instrument or device must not exceed the relevant
limit listed in Exhibit 347.22.
• The radiation level at 10 centimeters (4 inches) from any point on the
external surface of the unpackaged instrument or device must not
exceed 10 millirem per hour.
Cushioning Material
• Adequate cushioning material to withstand shock and pressure
changes must surround the primary receptacle.
Outer Packaging
• The inner receptacle and cushioning material must be securely packed
within a strong outer packaging.
• The total activity per mailpiece must not exceed the relevant limit listed
in Exhibit 347.22.
• The radiation level at any point on the external surface of the mailpiece
containing the device or instrument must not exceed 0.5 millirem per
hour.
• The nonfixed (removable) radioactive surface contamination on the
external surface of the mailpiece must not exceed the applicable limits
specified in 49 CFR 173.443(a).
• The package does not contain fissile material unless excepted by
49 CFR 173.453.
• At least one external dimension of the mailpiece must be no less than
10 centimeters (4 inches).
Marking
• The outside of the inner receptacle or the outside of the secondary
packaging must be clearly marked "Radioactive."
• The address side of the mailpiece must clearly display the following
marking: "This package conforms to the conditions and limitations
specified in 49 CFR 173.424 for radioactive material, excepted
package-instruments or articles, UN2911 and is within Postal Service
activity limits for mailing."
• A complete return address and delivery address must be used.
Domestic Mail for Mailable Excepted Articles Containing
Uranium or Thorium (49 CFR 173.426) permitted under 347:
Manufactured articles excepted under 347 and in which the sole radioactive
material is natural or depleted uranium or natural thorium must be packaged
as follows:
Primary Receptacle
• The outer surface of the uranium or thorium is enclosed in an inactive
sheath made of metal or other durable protective material.
Cushioning Material
• Adequate cushioning material to withstand shock and pressure
changes must surround the primary receptacle.
Outer Packaging
• The inner receptacle and cushioning material must be securely packed
within a strong outer packaging.
• The radiation level at any point on the external surface of the mailpiece
must not exceed 0.5 millirem per hour.
• The nonfixed (removable) radioactive surface contamination on the
external surface of the mailpiece must not exceed the applicable limits
specified in 49 CFR 173.443(a).
Marking
• The outside of the inner receptacle or the outside of the secondary
packaging must be clearly marked "Radioactive."
• The address side of the mailpiece must clearly display the following
marking: "This package conforms to the conditions and limitations
specified in 49 CFR 173.426 for radioactive material, excepted
package-articles manufactured from natural uranium (or natural
thorium), UN2909 and is within Postal Service activity limits for
mailing."
• A complete return address and delivery address is required.
International Mail:
• The requirements specified in 622.3 and IMM 135.6 apply in addition to
the packaging instructions for domestic mail.
Note: A shipper's declaration for dangerous goods is not required for
mailable radioactive materials.
|
USPS
Home | Postal Explorer Home
