Business United States Items Mail Hazardous Liquid Sending

The United States Postal Service has a long list of "hazardous" (dangerous) items that cannot be sent through the mail. Many of the items are not hazardous in daily life, but they become hazardous if they are sent through the mail, especially since much mail is sent by plane, where there are different temperatures, air pressure, and "vibrations" (small, repetitive movements).

"Prohibited" (not allowed) items include "perfumes" (nice-smelling liquids sprayed onto one's body) and "nail polish" (colored liquid painted onto one's fingernails). Anything in an "aerosol can" (a container where one pushes a button on top and liquid sprays out in very small drops) is also "forbidden" (not allowed) in the mail. "Bleach" (a liquid used to clean and to make fabric white), cleaning chemicals, paints, and gasoline cannot be mailed either.

Matches, "fireworks" (things used in celebrations that explode in the sky and create many colors), and other things that might catch on fire or explode are prohibited, as are batteries. "Firearms" (guns) can't be sent through the mail either, for "obvious" (easy to understand) reasons.

Live animals cannot be sent through the mail, because they need special care and attention. Finally, most "alcoholic beverages" cannot be sent through the mail.

Most post offices in the United States have one or more "posters" (pieces of paper with text and/or pictures hung on a wall and used to share information) with lists and pictures of prohibited items. Sometimes the "postal worker" (a person who works for the United States Postal Service) will ask the sender whether his or her package contains any of those hazardous items.