Dangerous Goods Permitted as Air Mail
The Universal Postal Union forbids the carriage of most dangerous goods by airmail. However, Section 2.4 of the IATA DGR does outline certain dangerous goods that are permitted as follows:
- Infectious substances assigned to Biological substance, Category B (UN 3373) only when packed in accordance with Packing Instruction 650 within the current IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations.
- Patient specimens as defined within the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations
- Carbon dioxide, solid (Dry ice) when used as a refrigerant for infectious substances (UN 3373). Where dry ice is used as a refrigerant for UN 3373, all applicable parts of Packing Instruction 954 must be met. The designated postal operator must offer the package to the operator separately from other mail to allow the operator to comply with the applicable requirements for acceptance and information to the pilot-in-command.
- Radioactive material that is extremely low in activity. Reference must be made to Table 10.3.C in the IATA DGR.
- Lithium ion batteries when contained in equipment (UN 3481) meeting the provisions Section II of Packing Instruction 967. No more than four (4) cells or two (2) batteries may be mailed in a single package.
- Lithium metal batteries contained in equipment (UN 3091) meeting the provision of Section II of Packing Instruction 970. No more than four (4) cells or two (2) batteries may be mailed in a single package.
Note: The national postal service may further restrict the above.
If an airmail item is suspected of containing an undeclared or prohibited dangerous good, the following steps should be taken:
- Remove the item and isolate it, if safe to do so
- Notify the relevent supervisor/manager
- Complete a Dangerous Goods Incident report and submit it to the operator's Safety Department (dangerous good incident reporting is covered in more detail in Module 9)
Restrictions in Sending Dangerous Goods with Australia Post
