[pct-l] Esbit fuel & alohol

[fdumville at earthlink.net]

Esbit tabs are made of hexamethylenetetramine which is classified as a hazardous material by the USPS. They can only be shipped via domestic parcel post surface mail. The package must be marked with  "Consumer Commodity ORM-D, UN1328" and "Surface Mail Only". The USPS publication 52 defines the requirements. It can be found at http://www.usps.com/publications/pubs/welcome.htm. There are also quantity limits, I believe it is 1 pound for Esbit.
I have found having the the appropriate pages from pub 52 to show the postal clerk helps if they are at all hesitant to accept your package.
Surface mail can take a long time. Mail early and mail your resupply box separately.
Post Offices won't accept UPS delivery for you.
>From what I've heard UPS, Fedex and other commercial delivery services won't handle hazardous material from individuals. They would have the same restrictions imposed on them by DOT rules.

Snap 

----- Original Message ----- 
From: JOHNNY J FARBER 
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Sent: 2/2/2008 8:44:27 AM 
Subject: [pct-l] Esbit fuel & alohol


When we hiked on the PCT in 2001 (before 911 security changes)we mailed esbit fuel tabs in our mail drops but does anyone know if you can still do that? What Iv'e seen is it needs to be shipped ground which is UPS.  So can you UPS to a post office?  I bought an alcohol stove, but it seems to make the water taste funny.  Has this happened to anyone else?  Sharon & John FREE&EZgoing
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