[pct-l] Stove Fires

[Greg Mikol]

Paul Robison wrote:

> Ken,
>
> this information is out of date.
>
> there are new requirements from 2010 hat put canisters in the hazmat qual. not
> an ORMD any longer.
> for ups this gives them a 38$ minnimum surcharge. not sure about other
> carriers.  also means they can no longer go 'priority' class, though i believe
> first class is still an option.
>
> ~Paul
> (i'm a former hazmat auditor for UPS)

Paul (and everyone else out there)--

IMO, UPS has always been more strict with regards to hazmat compared to 
USPS. Canisters have always been prohibited from USPS Priority 
(certainly from 2005 when I did this research for my first PCT section). 
Nothing on the Postal Service website indicates a change in policy from 
then 'til now with regards to fuel canisters.

Their online version of Publication 52, "Hazardous, Restricted, and 
Perishable Mail", last revised 11 March 2010, has the following entries 
in Appendix A:

Butane, butane mixtures and mixtures having similar properties in 
cartridges each not exceeding 500 grams: see Receptacles, etc.

Receptacles, small, containing gas (gas cartridges) flammable, without 
release device, not refillable and not exceeding 1 L capacity
    Hazard Class: 2.1
    ID Number: UN2037
    DOT Packing Group: n/a
    USPS Mailability: Only ORM–D
    Domestic Mail Air Packaging Instruction: Prohibited
    Domestic Mail Surface Pkg. Inst: 2A

Other parts of the publication describes these terms and the specific 
requirements.

Until the publication changes, AFAIK, it is and will continue to be 
legal to ship butane/isobutane/propane type stove canisters via surface 
mail (not priority since it may travel by air). Package should be 
clearly marked "ORM-D  Consumer Commodity   Surface Mail Only". And be 
sure to print out the relevant sections from Pub. 52 to take with you to 
the PO for shipping...not all PO employees are aware of these 
regulations, in my experience.

--Greg