Can I Mail Backpacking Gas Canisters? YES! If ...

OK, first, I'm talking about domestic US Mail here in the contiguous 48 states only.  What I'm saying here does NOT apply to packages sent outside the United States.  I'm also not talking about UPS, FedEx, etc.  I'm just talking about US Mail within the contiguous 48 states -- surface mail only in other words.  No air mail.  No international mail.  No Alaska.  No Hawaii.  No overseas APO's or FPO's.

First, you generally can't send fuel in the US Mail, but there are exceptions.  The exceptions are for what is called "Otherwise Restricted Material -- Domestic" (ORM-D), material in other words, that would otherwise be restricted but is NOT under certain conditions.  The conditions?

• They have to be well packaged.
• You have to label the package "ORM-D, Consumer Commodity, Surface Only."
• The total volume of the containers cannot be more than one liter.

See the relevant portions of USPS Publication 52 below.

So, can you mail backpacking gas canisters? Yes!  (if you meet the below conditions)

UPDATE:  Please see the comment below from "ThreeDay."  I can see on all my canisters that there are DOT numbers, but I don't know if that means that the canister meets the requirements that ThreeDay is talking about.  What you should do:  Be up front with the USPS.  Tell them what you're doing, show them the relevant extract from Publication 52, and let them make the call. 

HJ


From USPS Publication 52:

342.22 Mailable Gases

The following are examples of mailable gases: [emphasis added]

Butane. Butane (UN1011) and Receptacles, small (UN2037) with butane or butane mixtures are Division 2.1 flammable gases. Butane gases that can qualify as ORM–D materials are acceptable only in domestic mail via surface transportation when properly prepared under 342.3 and Packaging Instruction 2A in Appendix C.

342.3 Packaging

b. Metal Containers. Mailable nonflammable and flammable compressed gases are acceptable in metal primary receptacles that have a water capacity up to 33.8 fluid ounces (1 liter or 61.0 cubic inches). The liquid content of the material and the gas must not completely fill the primary receptacle at 130° F (55° C). Additionally, the following apply:

1. A DOT 2P container must be used if the internal pressure is from 140 psig to 160 psig at 130° F (55° C).
2. A DOT 2Q container must be used if the pressure is from 161 psig to 180 psig at 130° F (55° C).
3. A container with an internal pressure over 180 psig at 130° F (55° C) is prohibited from mailing.
4. Packaging Instruction 2A or 2B, as applicable, must be followed.

c. Flammable Gases. A mailable flammable compressed gas is restricted to 4 fluid ounces in a nonmetal primary receptacle or 33.8 fluid ounces (1 liter) in a metal primary receptacle per mailpiece Packaging Instruction 2A must be followed.