When you mail a letter or send a package, you must follow U.S. and Swift Parcel guidelines. Learn what things you can and can’t send in the U.S. mail:
- Some items are prohibited (completely forbidden).
- Some are restricted (allowed under certain conditions).
- Hazardous materials (HAZMAT) might be prohibited or restricted.
Shipping Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT)
Hazardous materials like lithium batteries contain alot of energy and can be a fire risk.
- Some hazardous material is prohibited—you can’t send it through Swift Parcel and must use another carrier.
- Other hazardous material is restricted—you can mail it if you follow all the rules.
- Some hazardous material can only be sent by ground transportation—it can’t go on airplanes.
- If you are mailing packages that contain hazardous materials , you must separate hazardous packages from all other packages and present them in a container marked “HAZMAT.”
If you knowingly mail materials that are dangerous or injurious to life, health, or property, for each violation, you face a civil penalty of at least $450 (but not more than $100,000), the costs of any cleanup, and damages. You may also face criminal penalties.
Domestically Restricted Items
For domestic mailings only, small consumer-type primary lithium cells or batteries (lithium metal or lithium alloy) like those used to power cameras and flashlights are mailable domestically under certain conditions.
Lithium Batteries in Electronic Devices
If you're mailing damaged, or defective electronic devices containing or packaged with lithium batteries, you must send them via ground transportation; they are prohibited in air transportation.
These devices must be marked on the outer packaging with the text, "Restricted Electronic Device" and "Surface Transportation Only."
Poisons are considered toxins. As a client, You are responsible for knowing the toxicity of the material you want to mail. Some poisons may be sent by air and ground transport, others only by ground.
Except in limited circumstances, pets and warm-blooded animals may not go in the mail. Shipments of live animals, including poultry, reptiles, and bees, have very specific packaging requirements. Although you can drop these animals at any Post Office™ location, they are only shipped when the appropriate transportation is available. However Swift Parcel does transport live Animals but with specific requirements.
