The Postal Service is revising Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail (Pub 52) to include the following NEW AND URGENT HAZMAT requirements for the separation of hazardous materials that are effective immediately:
1: Any HAZMAT items, including ones with lithium batteries must be separated into a different container or bundle separate from regular mail at the time of pickup for drop off.
2. A customer shipping a pre-owned, damaged, or defective electronic device containing or packaged with a lithium battery of ANY size must ship using a GROUND service: USPS Retail Ground, Parcel Select, Parcel Return Service or Ground Return Service.
In addition, such shipments MUST be marked BOTH “Restricted Electronic Device” and “Surface Transportation Only” in accordance with all applicable USPS guidelines.
These immediate changes are necessary to address a rise in incidents involving lithium batteries and other HAZMAT. More information on these new USPS HAZMAT requirements can be found here.