Tag: USPS

Correction to our previous post.

USPS will suspend regular mail deliveries and close retail services tomorrow, Wednesday, Dec 5. Chit Chats will still be able to hand off packages to USPS tomorrow morning however there may be processing and tracking delays with USPS.

Packages dropped off on Tuesday, Dec 4 at a Chit Chats branch will be handed off to USPS on Wednesday, Dec 5.

President Donald J. Trump has proclaimed Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018, as a National Day of Mourning in remembrance of former President George H.W. Bush. As mentioned this may affect delivery times and tracking updates with USPS.

This will not affect processing times for our Chit Chats Canada Tracked, Chit Chats International Standard, Asendia and UPS Mail Innovations packages.

The Chit Chats Team

 

We previously communicated some restrictions specific to the transportation of batteries which fall under the Hazardous Materials regulations of USPS.

We have recently received further clarification from USPS on the transport of all Hazardous Material including, but not limited to the following:

• Lithium Batteries
• Nonspillable wet batteries
• Alcohol-based perfumes and colognes
• Nail polish
• Safety matches
• Aerosols

Please review the following instructions and specific restrictions on the handling, labelling and shipping of Hazardous Materials. These restrictions are in place to ensure the safety of all handlers, and to ensure the safe and appropriate transportation of the items.

Please also note, if items which fall under the category of Hazardous Materials are found to be non-compliant with the following restrictions the items may be rejected and returned.

The full details of these restrictions can be viewed in USPS Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail.

726 Postal Service Handling

726.1 Acceptance Personnel

Note: For safety reasons, mailpieces containing hazardous materials that are not eligible for air transportation cannot pay postage at an Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, First-Class Package Service, or First-Class Mail price, and must be marked “Surface Mail” or “Surface Mail Only.”

327 Transportation Requirements

327.2 Air Transportation Prohibitions

All mailable hazardous materials sent as Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, First-Class Mail, or First-Class Package Service, must meet the requirements for air transportation. The following types of hazardous materials are always prohibited on air transportation regardless of class of mail:

1. Explosives.
2. Anything susceptible to damage or that can become harmful because of changes in temperature or atmospheric pressures unless protected against the effects of such changes.
3. Magnetic material that has a field strength sufficient to cause a compass deviation at a distance of 7 feet or more from any point on the outer packaging.
4. Flammable materials (gases, liquids, and solids).
5. Radioactive materials.
6. UN3090 lithium metal batteries (including lithium alloy batteries) and UN3480 lithium-ion batteries (including lithium polymer batteries).

Chit Chats offers rates for USPS’ Parcel Select Service which can be used to ship Hazardous Materials which are prohibited from air transportation.

The USPS Surface Transportation Only label must also be attached to shipments which contain Hazardous Material as a further assurance of the accurate sortation of the shipment. Please see one of our representatives in branch to request a label for your shipment.

 

Shipping Batteries to the U.S.

Some batteries are considered hazardous materials by carriers. Certain types of batteries require to be clearly identified on the packaging so that carriers know the packages contain such materials and can handle them appropriately.

Lithium and nonspillable wet batteries sent through USPS can only be shipped via USPS Parcel Select Service. They are strictly prohibited from being shipped via USPS First Class or Priority Mail Services.

Please note, any hazardous materials, such as batteries, being shipped via USPS Parcel Select must also be labelled with a Surface Transportation Only sticker on the package. This helps to further ensure the safety of the handlers and the proper transportation of the package.

Lithium Batteries

• If a lithium battery is not installed in the equipment it powers it may only be sent by ground mail (i.e. USPS Parcel Select).
• If a lithium battery is installed in the equipment it powers it may be sent by air or ground mail.

Except as provided above, individual lithium metal (or lithium alloy) and lithium-ion (or lithium polymer) batteries (without equipment) are mailable in limited quantities via surface transportation only, provided the batteries are in the originally sealed packaging, and packaged and marked as described in 349.221 and 349.222, as applicable. These batteries must be marked with the corresponding ID numbers:

• Lithium-ion Battery, UN3480.
• Lithium Metal Battery, UN3090.
• Lithium-ion Battery contained in equipment, UN3481.
• Lithium-ion Battery packed with equipment, UN3481.
• Lithium Metal Battery contained in equipment, UN3091.
• Lithium Metal Battery packed with equipment, UN 3091.

Required Packaging for Lithium Batteries

• Except for mailpieces containing button cell batteries properly installed in the equipment they are intended to operate, mailpieces containing mailable lithium metal or lithium-ion batteries must be rigid, sealed, and of adequate size, so the lithium battery mark can be affixed to the address side without the mark being folded.
• Packaging must be strong enough to prevent crushing of the package or exposure of the contents during normal handling in the mail.
• The use of padded and poly bags as outer packaging is permitted only when the mailpieces contain button cell batteries meeting the classification criteria in 349.11d, the batteries are properly installed in the equipment they are intended to operate, and the batteries are afforded adequate protection by that equipment.

Markings for Lithium Batteries

Lithium metal batteries properly installed in the equipment they are intended to operate:

• Except for mailpieces containing button cell batteries installed in equipment (including circuit boards), or no more than 4 lithium metal cells or 2 lithium metal batteries installed in the equipment they operate, mailpieces containing lithium metal batteries must bear a DOT-approved lithium battery mark applied to the address side of the mailpiece.
• For surface transportation, the parcel must be 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 (e.g. Consumer Commodity).
• The mark must indicate the ID Number of the battery.
• The mark must also include a telephone number for those who need to obtain additional information.

Nonspillable Batteries

• May only be sent by ground mail (i.e. USPS Parcel Select).

A nonspillable wet battery containing liquid electrolyte is permitted to be mailed only if the battery casing is completely sealed to prevent the liquid corrosive from spilling during Postal Service handling. Nonspillable batteries with UN2800 are prohibited in international mail but may be sent as domestic mail via surface transportation.

Primary Receptacle

• The nonspillable battery must be capable of withstanding the vibration and pressure differential tests cited in 49 CFR 173.159(f) (1) and (2).

Absorbent and Cushioning Material

• The nonspillable battery must be protected from short circuits with protective or cushioning material.
• A noncombustible material that is capable of absorbing all liquid in case of leakage must surround the primary receptacle.

Required Packaging for Nonspillable Batteries

• The nonspillable battery must be securely packaged in a strong fiberboard box.
• Only one nonspillable battery is allowed per mailpiece.
• The total weight of a single mailpiece cannot exceed 25 pounds.

Markings for Nonspillable Batteries

• The outer packaging must be plainly and durably marked on the address with the text “NONSPILLABLE BATTERY, UN2800.”
• For surface transportation, the parcel must be 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 (e.g., Consumer Commodity).

Labels and Stickers

USPS provides Surface Transportation Only labels that must be adhered to packages that contain lithium or nonspillable batteries.

Chit Chats branches have labels on hand to easily identify your packages so that when we cross the border we are compliant with U.S. customs and our carriers.

If you’re unsure or have questions, contact us today.

Global Direct Entry with Chit Chats:

As a USPS Global Direct Entry Wholesaler (GDE), Chit Chats is able to provide Canadian ecommerce businesses access to all USPS tracked domestic and international parcel services. We are recognized as a fully compliant partner of USPS.

We are a North American leader in shipping and logistics and have been directly injecting packages into USPS mail stream for over 15 years, facilitating a 2-4 day delivery across the United States, at a significantly lower cost than traditional local providers or Canadian carriers.

What GDE means for you:

* Reliable and cost effective tax and duty free US Customs clearance (some restrictions apply)
* Access to USPS postage rates, tracking and quick delivery options
* Daily injection of US domestic and international bound packages into the USPS mail stream
* Technical assistance before, during and after moving over to USPS direct entry
* With reduced shipping costs, our service increases your sales potential
* Confidence in working with a knowledgeable and experienced cross border official USPS GDE partner

USPS Partnership Benefits:

* High quality delivery services at cost effective prices
* Tracking and delivery notification
* Fast transit times between Canada, US and key international markets
* Use of USPS shipping supplies (boxes and envelopes)
* No residential surcharges
* No fuel surcharges

Confidence is key when shipping your products worldwide. Through Chit Chats’ USPS partnership as Global Direct Entry Wholesaler, you can have confidence that your business will grow and succeed with us as your official global provider of USPS direct entry services from Canada.