USPS Proposes Changes to Liquid Shipping Guidelines

Currently, the USPS has specific guidelines for shipping liquids, creams and pastes. In addition to the existing guidelines the USPS has proposed additional requirements that aim to reduce the amount of damage caused by leaking or ruptured liquid containers. The Postal Service anticipates that, if passed, the proposed revision will decrease the amount of time spent on spill response, mail decontamination, and site cleanup, along with providing an improved customer experience. After all, no one wants to receive a package drenched in someone else’s leaking water.

Current Guidelines for Shipping Liquids

• Liquids must be nonhazardous
• Any item that is the source of an obnoxious odor is nonbailable
• Containers with friction top containers are not mailable by themselves
• Glass with more than 4 fluid ounces must be cushioned with a sealed waterproof bag and packed within sealed outer packaging
• Containers over 32 fluid ounces must be cushioned with a sealed waterproof bag and packed within sealed outer packaging

Proposed Changes to Guidelines

The new proposed guidelines would require all liquids in nonmetal containers, regardless of volume, to be triple packed. Packing must include cushioning materials capable of absorbing all liquid, a sealed, waterproof secondary packaging, and a strong, sealed outer mailing container. Additionally, these changes would also apply to metal containers with friction-top closures (push-down tops).

There is currently no timetable for when these guidelines would go into effect if passed. We will continue to keep you updated as news develops.

Shipping Liquids with Stamps.com

Stamps.com can even be configured to add order tags based on the products in your orders so you can flag any orders that contain liquids and be sure to package them correctly. In addition to automatic order tags, Stamps.com features domestic address cleansing so you can be sure that your liquids are shipped to a valid address. From automation features to package insurance, Stamps.com offers customers everything they need to ship liquids and more.