What Items Are Considered To Be Hazardous Material?
When you are shipping items across the country or across the world, there are specific materials that cannot be included. These hazardous materials can prove dangerous once the flight takes off. Certain items, even though they are in small amounts could possibly explode or mix together creating toxic fumes. Even if they are confined to a holding area, the results could be disastrous for individuals who are sent to unload the cargo.
What Items Are Considered to Be Hazardous?
There are several items that are considered to be hazardous and should not be included in an unmarked package. They include:
- Glue
- Perfumes
- Nail polish/remover
- Aerosol cans
- Batteries
- Dry ice
- Pool chemicals
- Mercury thermometers
- Paints
While many of these items may seem to be benign when mixed with other chemicals, the resulting mixture can be volatile.
Don’t Take Chances!
If your carrier, be it a government agency or not) determines that hazardous materials have been included in a package. You may be liable for any fees or damages that were incurred. Even if an item was included as an oversight, the fees and penalties will still apply. Always check your package twice to determine no hazardous materials have been included.
When you are ready to close your package, make sure that there are no hazardous materials inside. The list above is only an example. If you have questions about what is and is not considered to be hazardous material, you can contact the United States Postal Service or your shipping and receiving carrier. They will be able to tell you what can be safely shipped and what cannot.
