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You can indeed ship aerosols with USPS to domestic destinations! However, it’s important to distinguish whether the aerosols are flammable or not. Whether or not they are flammable will determine the type of service you’ll be able to use to ship them. Keep in mind, though, that USPS only allows you to send aerosols within the United States no matter if they’re flammable or not.
Table of Contents
- If Your Aerosols are Non-Flammable, You Can Use Any USPS Service
- For Flammable Aerosols, You Can Only Use Surface Transportation
- Can I Ship Aerosols with USPS to International Destinations?
If Your Aerosols are Non-Flammable, You Can Use Any USPS Service
If you’re shipping non-flammable aerosols, you’re in luck! You can use any USPS service to ship non-flammable aerosols. That means you’re free to air-based services such as Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express. Some examples of non-flammable aerosols include shaving cream, whipped cream, and cheese whiz.
According to the Postal Service’s website, here are the steps you need to follow to make sure you’re in compliance:
- For non-metal primary receptacles, make sure that the max capacity is 4 fluid ounces per mailpiece
- For metal primary receptacles, make sure that the max capacity is 33.8 fluid ounces per mailpiece
- Affix Limited Quantity Y Label on the package
- Affix ID-8000, Class Hazard Class 9, Consumer Commodity sticker on the package
- Include a Declaration of Dangerous Goods with the parcel
For Flammable Aerosols, You Can Only Use Ground Transportation
If your aerosols are flammable, you’ll be restricted to the Postal Service’s ground transportation service, which is USPS Ground Advantage (you’ll find this service both at your local Post Office and when you use online shipping software to buy discounted USPS postage). Some examples of flammable aerosols include hairspray, spray paint, and disposable fuel.
According to USPS, here’s what you need to do in order to get shipping:
- For non-metal primary receptacles, make sure that the max capacity is 4 fluid ounces per mailpiece
- For metal primary receptacles, make sure that the max capacity is 33.8 fluid ounces per mailpiece
- Affix the Limited Quantity Label to your package
Pro Tip: To find out if your aerosols are flammable, check the can or the packaging! The packaging of products will usually indicate whether or not the contents or flammable.
Can I Ship Aerosols with USPS to International Destinations?
Unfortunately, USPS prohibits aerosols from being shipped internationally, no matter the destination country. In this case, it doesn’t matter whether the aerosols are flammable or non-flammable. You still can’t send them to international destinations, and USPS provides no exceptions to the rule.
Want more information on the Postal Service’s policies for shipping aerosols? Check out the USPS packaging instructions for shipping aerosols to make sure you’re doing everything correctly and within USPS guidelines.
Last Updated:
Shirley Ho Tyan
Can I ship Insect replellent metal bottle of 6fl oz from NV to Hawaii by Priority flat rate box ? I can’t find any word about inflammable on the bottle. It does say ” Exposure to temperature above 130F may cause bursting”.
Rockwell Sands
Hi Shirley – if the insect repellant is in an aerosol can, USPS considers it as a hazardous item (it sounds like it is in an aerosol-pressurized can, due to the temperature and bursting warning). So, you’ll need to send this shipment via USPS Ground instead of with a Priority Mail Flat Rate Box. Wish I had better news, but I hope this helps!
LoAnn
Hi, and thank you for the site. Can I mail ARM & HAMMER Simply Saline Nighttime Nasal Mist 4.6oz to Panama (Central America)?
Amanda
Can I have two aerosal cans of makeup mousses shipped to be from Hong Kong to the U.S.? I believe that the makeup mousse are flammable. This item is not sold in the U.S. and I can only get it overseas.
Thanks!
Rockwell Sands
Hi Amanda – to be honest, I’m not sure about importing aerosols into the United States; I only know that you can’t ship them internationally from the United States. I suggest doing further research, or asking a particular shipping or import company who you may consider using. I’m sorry I can’t help more!
Sally
Can I ship a 2.5 oz of animal spray bandage to Hawaii
Rockwell Sands
Hi Sally – you should be able to send this without any problems! Just check on the spray can to see if it’s flammable. If so, you’ll need to ship it via USPS Ground service with a special sticker on the package, just like the article outlines. Hope this helps!
Gerardo
Would it be possible to ship an aerosol krylon spray paint can of 5.75 oz from US to Puerto Rico?
Rockwell Sands
Hi Gerardo – it looks like Krylon spray paint is an extremely flammable aerosol, so you can’t send it via air transportation services like Priority Mail or First Class Package. Your only option is to use ground service…either USPS Retail Ground at the Post Office, or Parcel Select Ground if you use shipping software to buy postage online. Hopefully this helps you!
Dawn
My grandson loves the air freshener I use. Can I mail it to his APO address in Japan?
Rockwell Sands
Hi Dawn – this should be fine, since APO addresses are considered domestic destinations. I would check with your Post Office beforehand though, because they may or may not accept a package with aerosols based on their discretion. Hope this helps!
Jesse Eakin
Can a 150ml bottle of flammable body spray (like axe) be shipped? If so can you ship more than one bottle at a time?
Lyn
Can I ship Nabisco Kraft Easy cheese in a can overseas to an APO address via USPS?
Rockwell Sands
Hi Lyn – there isn’t anything stopping you from shipping this! USPS considers military addresses as domestic destinations, so you can definitely ship these items via Priority Mail, if you like. Just be sure to follow the instructions outlined in the guide above!
Lyn
Can I ship Kraft Easy cheese cans internationally via priority mail?
Annie
Can a 1 lb 3 oz total 19 Oz can of Lysol disinfectant spray be mailed through the post office
Rockwell Sands
Hi Annie – it sure can! You’ll just need to ship it via Retail Ground or Parcel Select Ground service, and place this Limited Quantity Label on the outside of your package.
BEATRIZ
CAN I SHIP LYSOL SPRAY CANS TO NEW YORK BY PARCEL?
Rockwell Sands
Hi Beatriz, yes you can! You’ll need to ship them Parcel Select Ground (or Retail Ground at the Post Office), and then affix the proper labeling to the package. You’ll want to affix this Limited Quantity Label to your package, and write “Surface Transportation Only” on it as well.
Hope this helps!