Shipment Of Undeclared Hazmats Is Dangerous And Costly

Customers frequently call and ask us to mail them small quantities of touch-up paint. Knowing that most paints contain some quantity of solvent, mailing such an item through the US Postal Service is illegal and thus, we are not able to comply with these requests. However, we wish to explain that if you offer for shipment, any material that has been determined to be a hazardous material by the US-DOT, you must comply with the HazMat Regs (49 CFR) Parts 171-180. Violations of the HMR could result in civil penalties in the range of $250 to $50,000 plus possible imprisonment. Undeclared hazmat shipments, especially those shipped by air, pose a great safety risk because they are not properly marked. If a leak occurs, the improper preparation can lead to serious injury and even fatalities. To understand if you are shipping, mailing, or in any way, transporting a hazardous material, you may contact the Hazardous Materials Info-Center at 800.467.4922 or go to: https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/about-phmsa/offices/office-hazardous-materials-safety