Proposed Rule2026-16016
New Mailing Standards for Live Animals
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
August 6, 2026
Issuing agencies
Postal Service
Abstract
The Postal Service proposes revising Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail (Pub 52), for various package requirements for live animals. This proposal will improve package integrity and container identification for all live animal shipments during processing and handling by prohibiting the reuse of fiberboard containers and requiring individual addressing and sequential numbering for multiple container shipments when bound together in a single shipment. Also, this proposal requires mailers to write the recipient's name and address directly on the packaging of Adult Bird shipments in the event the shipping label becomes detached from the packaging.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 150 (Thursday, August 6, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 150 (Thursday, August 6, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 50741-50742]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-16016]
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POSTAL SERVICE
39 CFR Parts 111 and 211
New Mailing Standards for Live Animals
AGENCY: Postal Service.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: The Postal Service proposes revising Publication 52,
Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail (Pub 52), for various
package requirements for live animals. This proposal will improve
package integrity and container identification for all live animal
shipments during processing and handling by prohibiting the reuse of
fiberboard containers and requiring individual addressing and
sequential numbering for multiple container shipments when bound
together in a single shipment. Also, this proposal requires mailers to
write the recipient's name and address directly on the packaging of
Adult Bird shipments in the event the shipping label becomes detached
from the packaging.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 8, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written comments to Director, Product
Classification, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Room 4446,
Washington, DC 20260-5015. Email comments, containing the name and
address of the commenter, may be sent to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a8f8ebeecdcccddac9c4facdcfc1dbdccddae8dddbd8db86cfc7de"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c1918287a4a5a4b3a0ad93a4a6a8b2b5a4b381b4b2b1b2efa6aeb7">[email protected]</span></a>,
with a subject line of ``Live Animals.'' 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 available for
review Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. by calling 202-
268-2906.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Drew Mitchum, (202) 268-7351, 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.
Background
The Postal Service hereby proposes to amend Publication 52,
Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail, 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, 111.3.
Publication 52 is publicly available, in a read-only format, via the
Postal Explorer 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.
Accordingly, for the reasons stated in the preamble, the Postal
Service amends Publication 52 as follows:
Publication 52--Hazardous, Restricted and Perishable Mail
* * * * *
5 Perishable Matter
* * * * *
52 Animals
521 General Requirements
[Add note at the bottom of section under item c. to read as
follows:]
Note: Due to the high likelihood of degradation during
transportation, fiberboard containers must not be reused for live
animal shipments.
* * * * *
522 Packaging and Markings
* * * * *
522.1 Container Construction
[Revise section to read as follows:]
Containers used to mail perishable matter must be constructed to
protect and securely contain the contents.
Shipping containers for mailable live animals must, at a minimum,
be made
[[Page 50742]]
of 275-pound test, double-wall, corrugated, weather-resistant
fiberboard (W5c) or equivalent. When multiple containers are strapped
together, a single shipping label should be applied but each container
must have its own address label. Additionally, the containers must be
numbered sequentially (e.g., ``1 of 5'', ``2 of 5,'' etc.) to help
ensure proper handling if they become separated during transit. USPS-
produced packaging, including Flat Rate containers, is not eligible for
use. Additional container requirements apply to mailable adult birds
(refer to 526.4).
* * * * *
526 Mailable Live Animals
* * * * *
526.4 Adult Birds
* * * * *
526.42 Mailability Requirements
[Add new bullet g. to read as follows:]
g. The name and address of the recipient must also be written
directly on the packaging in addition to the shipping label.
* * * * *
USPS Packaging Instruction 10D
* * * * *
Adult Bird Boxes
* * * * *
Marking
[Revise Marking section to read as follows:]
Labels and markings must be placed on the address side of the
mailpiece unless specified differently in 221.1 and 325.1.
Each container must be marked with the following information:
[ssquf] ``Live Birds--USPS Approved Container # (once issued).''
[ssquf] Complete sender's and recipient's addresses (including
phone numbers) on the outer packaging for the necessary notification by
Postal Service personnel.
[ssquf] Directional arrows indicating ``up'' position (on at least
two sides of the container).
[ssquf] Write the name and address of the recipient directly on the
package in case shipping label becomes detached during shipment.
* * * * *
Kevin Rayburn,
Attorney, Ethics & Legal Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2026-16016 Filed 8-5-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P
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