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[pct-l] box shipping



      I called the USPS to learn their regs. on mailing flammable
      liquids. They referred me to the manual information on the USPS
      website. The USPS manual rules for mailing Hazard Class 3
      materials, e.g., HEET, white gas, alcohol, lighter fluid, etc. are
      shown below. The main things are to pack the liquid's container in
      enough absorbent material, e.g., paper towels, to absorb all the
      liquid if it spills, then to place the liquid's container and the
      absorbent material in another container (ziplock plastic bag?),
      and to properly label the outside of the box. 


      You probably already know that if you send your packages by
      Priority Mail, but don't pick them up within ten days of the post
      office getting them, the post office will return them to you for
      free. Also, if you mark your boxes with a distinctive sign, like
      red paint or bright stickers, the postal clerk can easily find
      yours in the jumble of other hiker boxes in the post office.


      I hope this helps.


      JIM NEE

***************************************************


      "Flammable and Combustible Liquids (Hazard Class 3)


        10.13.1 Definitions

The terms used in the standards that apply to hazard class 3 are defined 
as follows:

a. Flammable liquid means a liquid that has a flashpoint of not more 
than 141?F (60.5?C), or any material in a liquid phase that has a 
flashpoint at or above 100?F (38?C).

b. Combustible liquid means any liquid that does not meet the definition 
of any other hazard class and has a flashpoint above 141?F (60.5?C) and 
below 200?F (93?C). Note: A flammable liquid with a flashpoint at or 
above 100?F (38?C) that does not meet the definition of any other hazard 
class may be reclassified as a combustible liquid per 49 CFR 173.120(b). 
[C023.4.1]


        10.13.2 Flammable Liquid Mailability

Flammable liquid is prohibited in international mail. Flammable liquid 
with a flashpoint of 20?F (-7?C) or below is prohibited in domestic 
mail. Other flammable liquid is prohibited in domestic mail via air 
transportation but is permitted via surface transportation if the 
material can qualify as an ORM-D material and meet the following 
conditions as applicable:

a. The flashpoint is above 20?F (-7?C) but no more than 73?F (23?C); the 
liquid is in a metal primary receptacle not exceeding 1 quart, or in 
another type of primary receptacle not exceeding 1 pint, per mailpiece; 
enough cushioning surrounds the primary receptacle to absorb all 
potential leakage; the cushioning and primary receptacle are packed 
within a securely sealed secondary container that is placed within a 
strong outer shipping container; and each mailpiece is plainly and 
durably marked on the address side with "Surface Only" or "Surface Mail 
Only" and "ORM-D" immediately following or below the proper shipping name.

b. The flashpoint is above 73?F (23?C) but less than 100?F (38?C); the 
liquid is in a metal primary receptacle not exceeding 1 gallon, or in 
another type of primary receptacle not exceeding 1 quart, per mailpiece; 
enough cushioning surrounds the primary receptacle to absorb all 
potential leakage; the cushioning and primary receptacle are placed 
within a securely sealed secondary container that is placed within a 
strong outer shipping container; and each mailpiece is plainly and 
durably marked on the address side with "Surface Only" or "Surface Mail 
Only" and "ORM-D" immediately following or below the proper shipping 
name. [C023.4.2]


        END