Proposed Rule2024-27537
Cremated Remains Packaging Requirements
Primary source
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Published
November 26, 2024
Issuing agencies
Postal Service
Abstract
The Postal Service is proposing to amend Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail (Pub 52) by requiring mailers to solely use the Cremated Remains shipping supplies provided by the Postal Service when mailing human or animal cremated remains, also referred to as cremains or ashes, domestically or internationally.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 228 (Tuesday, November 26, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 228 (Tuesday, November 26, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 93238-93239]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-27537]
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POSTAL SERVICE
39 CFR Parts 111 and 211
Cremated Remains Packaging Requirements
AGENCY: Postal Service<SUP>TM</SUP>
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: The Postal Service is proposing to amend Publication 52,
Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail (Pub 52) by requiring
mailers to solely use the Cremated Remains shipping supplies provided
by the Postal Service when mailing human or animal cremated remains,
also referred to as cremains or ashes, domestically or internationally.
DATES: Submit comments on or before December 26, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written comments to the Director, Product
Classification, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Room 4446,
Washington, DC 20260-5015. If sending comments by email, include the
name and address of the commenter and send to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3666757053525344575a6453515f45425344764345464518515940"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9eceddd8fbfafbecfff2ccfbf9f7edeafbecdeebedeeedb0f9f1e8">[email protected]</span></a>, with a subject line of ``Cremated Remains
Packaging Requirements.'' Faxed comments will not be accepted.
You may inspect and photocopy all written comments, by appointment
only, at USPS[supreg] Headquarters Library, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, 11th
Floor North, Washington, DC 20260. These records are generally
available for review Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., by
calling 202-268-2906.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dale Kennedy, (202) 268-6592, or
Jennifer Cox, (202) 268-2108.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: All submitted comments and attachments are
part of the public record and subject to disclosure. Do not enclose any
material in your comments that you consider to be confidential or
inappropriate for public disclosure.
The Postal Service proposes to amend Publication 52, Hazardous,
Restricted, and Perishable Mail (Pub 52), with the provisions set forth
herein. While not codified in title 39 of the Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR), Publication 52 is a regulation of the Postal
Service, and changes to it may be published in the Federal Register. 39
CFR 211.2(a)(2). Moreover, Publication 52 is incorporated by reference
into Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic
Mail Manual (DMM) section 601.8.1, which is incorporated by reference,
in turn, into the Code of Federal Regulations. 39 CFR 111.1 and 111.3.
Publication 52 is publicly available, in a read-only format, via the
Postal Explorer[supreg] website at <a href="https://pe.usps.com">https://pe.usps.com</a>. In addition,
links to Postal Explorer are provided on the landing page of <a href="http://USPS.com">USPS.com</a>,
the Postal Service's primary customer-facing website, and on Postal
Pro, an online informational source available to postal customers.
Proposal
The Postal Service will require mailers shipping human or animal
cremated remains in any state (e.g. ashes, keepsakes and jewelry) to be
shipped in the Cremated Remains packaging supplied by the Postal
Service. Previously, mailers were permitted to use any box if it was
marked with Label 139--Cremated Remains.
The Postal Service understands the mailing of cremated remains is a
sensitive matter and believes this will improve visibility and enhance
handling methods throughout processing and transportation.
Accordingly, for the reasons stated in the preamble, the Postal
Service proposes to amend Publication 52 as follows:
Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted and Perishable Mail
* * * * *
4 Restricted Matter
* * * * *
45 Other Restricted Materials
* * * * *
451.22 Cremated Remains
[Revise section as follows:]
Human or animal cremated remains in any state (e.g. ashes,
keepsakes and jewelry) are permitted for mailing as follows:
a. Domestic:
1. Must be sent via Priority Mail Express Service.
2. Must be packaged according to 451.3b and Packaging Instruction
10C.
3. Mailers must use one of the special Priority Mail Express
cremated remains branded boxes available on usps.com.
4. Extra Services permitted with mailpieces containing cremated
remains are additional insurance and return receipt only.
5. Shipping labels may be printed and affixed through Click-N-Ship
or other USPS-approved methods or at a Post Office location. Mailer
generated labels must bear an Intelligent Mail package
[[Page 93239]]
barcode (IMpb) with the proper cremated remains Service Type Code (STC)
and include the proper Extra Services Code (ESC) in the Shipping
Services File (see Publication 199 on PostalPro at <a href="http://postalpro.usps.com">postalpro.usps.com</a>).
b. International:
1. When permitted by the destination country, cremated remains must
be sent via Priority Mail Express International service. Mailers must
verify that the destination country accepts Priority Mail Express
International and cremated remains before mailing.
2. Mailers must use one of the special Priority Mail Express
cremated remains branded boxes available on usps.com.
3. The item must be packaged as required in 451.3b and Packaging
Instruction 10C.
4. The contents ``cremated remains'' must be indicated on the
applicable customs declaration form.
* * * * *
451.3 Packaging and Marking
[Revise item b. as follows:]
b. Powders and Cremated Remains. Dry materials that could cause
soiling, damage, discomfort or destruction, upon escape (leakage) must
be packaged in sift proof or other sealed primary containers and placed
into sealed, durable, outer containers.
Appendix C
* * * * *
USPS Packaging Instructions 10C
[Revise opening paragraph as follows:]
Cremated Remains
Human or animal cremated remains in any state (e.g. ashes,
keepsakes and jewelry) are permitted for mailing with restrictions,
provided they are appropriately prepared according to section 451 and
the following instructions.
* * * * *
[Revise the following sections as follows:]
Mailability
<bullet> International Mail: Permitted via Priority Mail Express
International Service when permitted by the destination country (see
the Individual Country Listings in the IMM).
<bullet> Domestic Mail: Permitted via Priority Mail Express service
only.
Required Packaging
Primary Container
<bullet> International: A funeral urn is required as the inner
container. It must be sealed and sift proof.
<bullet> Domestic: The inner container must be strong and durable
and be constructed in such a manner as to protect and securely contain
the contents inside and it must be properly sealed so that it is sift
proof.
Note: A sift proof container is any vessel that does not allow
loose powder to leak or sift out during transit.
* * * * *
[Revise the following sections as follows:]
Outer Container
All cremated remains mailings must utilize the USPS-produced
Cremated Remains outer packaging, found on usps.com.
Insert your inner container into a sealed plastic bag, then place
in the shipping box and add padding to the bottom, sides, and top to
ensure there is no movement of contents during transit.
Note: It is recommended that you attach a slip of paper to the
sealed plastic bag with the complete return and delivery addresses
and the words ``Cremated Remains'' in the event the mailing label
becomes detached from the outer container after acceptance.
Marking
Domestic: A complete return address and delivery address must be
used.
International: A complete return address and delivery address must
be used. The mailer must indicate the contents (Cremated Remains) on
the applicable customs declaration form.
Documentation
International: If available, and when required by the destination
post, the cremation certificate should be attached to the outer
packaging or made easily accessible. The sender is responsible for
obtaining all the necessary documentation and permissions required by
the national laws in the country of origin and the country of
destination prior to dispatching these items.***
* * * * *
Christopher Doyle,
Attorney, Ethics & Legal Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2024-27537 Filed 11-25-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P
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