a start to yr answer:
53 Fresh Foods and Other Perishables "Fresh fruits and vegetables are nonmailable unless presented in a dry (not dried) condition. Other perishable foods that are capable of easily decomposing or that cannot reach their destination without spoiling are nonmailable. Packaging must be strong and securely sealed as required in DMM 601.1–8"
and an uniformed gmnt employee might use this:
56 Plants "The mailing of plants and plant products is subject to certain prohibitions and restrictions imposed by federal agricultural and conservation statutes. When these prohibitions and restrictions render the shipment of any plant or plant product as unlawful, then those plants are nonmailable. For more information, see DMM 601.9; Publication 14, Prohibitions and Restrictions on Mailing Animals, Plants, and Related Matter"
while this covers dry ice:
349 Miscellaneous Hazardous Materials (Hazard Class 9)
"A miscellaneous hazardous material is a substance or article that presents a hazard during transportation but does not meet the definition of any other hazard class.
Miscellaneous hazardous materials include:
Any material that has an anesthetic, noxious, or other similar property that could cause extreme annoyance or discomfort to a flight crew member.
Any elevated temperature material, hazardous substance, hazardous waste (other than Division 6.2 medical waste), or marine pollutant.
Examples of miscellaneous hazardous materials (not all of which are mailable) include solid dry ice, primary (non–rechargeable) lithium batteries, magnetized materials, elevated temperature substances, environmentally hazardous substances, life–saving appliances (i.e., automobile air–bags), and asbestos."
"349.23 Dry Ice
349.231 General
Dry ice is primarily used to keep other items cool. The items being cooled can be either mailable hazardous materials or nonhazardous items, such as medical specimens or foods.
349.232 Characteristics and Precautions
Dry ice (carbon dioxide solid) is produced by expanding liquid carbon dioxide to vapor and compacting the material into blocks. When dry ice converts (dissipates) to a gaseous form, it takes in heat from its surroundings. The resulting gas is heavier than air and can cause suffocation in confined areas as air is displaced. When dry ice is enclosed in a thick metal or other restrictive type of container, internal pressure builds up and could cause the container to rupture or explode. Mailpieces containing dry ice must be handled with care because its very low temperature (about –110° F
or –79° C) can cause severe burns to skin upon direct contact.
349.233 Dry Ice Mailability
Dry ice is permitted to be mailed when it is used as a refrigerant to cool the content of a mailable hazardous or nonhazardous material. Packages containing dry ice must be packed in containers that permit the release of carbon dioxide gas and conform to 49 CFR 173.217 and 175.10(a)(13). Mailpieces containing dry ice are subject to the following conditions, as applicable:
International Mail. Dry ice is prohibited.
Domestic Mail via Air Transportation. Dry ice is permitted in quantities of up to 5 pounds per mailpiece. Mailpieces containing dry ice are subject to the conditions for Packaging Instruction 9A in Appendix C, as applicable.
Domestic Mail via Surface Transportation. A mailpiece sent via surface transportation (i.e., at Standard Mail rates) may contain more than
5 pounds of dry ice. Mailpiece preparation is subject to the conditions for Packaging Instruction 9A in Appendix C.
Note: A mailpiece that is prepared for surface transportation must not, under any circumstances, be routed via air transportation."
Dontcha just love gubment speak?
