How to Ship Hand Sanitizer Properly

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, people have been learning to live differently. We’ve become all too familiar with terms like “social distancing” and mask-wearing etiquette. You may have even created your own personal protective equipment PPE kit.

The arrival of COVID has also created an increased demand for hand sanitizer and other alcohol-based hygiene products that kill and prevent the spread of germs. At times throughout the pandemic, these items have been hard to come by. As a result, more vendors want to know how to ship hand sanitizer safely and legally. 

Protect You and Your Team from COVID with a Proper PPE KitHere are three things you should know about hand sanitizer before we delve into how to ship it:

• Hand sanitizer is in high demand due to the COVID pandemic.
• Hand sanitizer is considered a hazardous material (HAZMAT) by shipping carriers and is subject to regulation.
• The guidelines vary between the USPS, FedEx and UPS.

The regulations for shipping hand sanitizer vary depending on the quantity you’re sending and how much alcohol it contains. The U.S. Postal Service, FedEx and UPS have slightly different guidelines for shipping hand sanitizer and other hazardous materials.

Hand Sanitizer as Hazardous Material

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends alcohol-based hand sanitizers composed of at least 60 percent ethanol or isopropyl alcohol and hydrogen peroxide to kill COVID germs and prevent transmission.

The high concentration of alcohol qualifies hand sanitizer as a flammable hazardous material (HAZMAT) subject to different restrictions and guidelines depending on your carrier.

Whenever you’re shipping a package, you have the responsibility to comply with applicable laws and regulations regarding its mailability. You must also prepare your package securely with the required labels.

In addition to its flammability, there are many examples of wrong formulations of hand sanitizer in the wrong hands during the pandemic, and hand sanitizer can be toxic to your health and the environment if misused. 

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USPS

The United States Postal Service (USPS) allows the domestic shipment of small amounts of hand sanitizer and wipes via surface transportation by land instead of air. This means you can’t use expedited shipping, and you cannot send it anywhere outside of the continental U.S.

Shipping Hand Sanitizer? You’ll Need Hazmat Shipping LabelsPrior to April of 2020, the post office only allowed 16 fl. oz. of flammable material per piece of mail. However, because of the increased demand due to the pandemic, the USPS adjusted regulations so you may be able to ship larger amounts than would traditionally qualify under their hazardous materials rules.

The USPS requires packages containing hazardous materials be appropriately labeled. So, if you are a retailer, it is vital to know how to read hazmat placards. 

Specifically, packages of hand sanitizer must be clearly marked with the phrases, “Surface Only” or “Surface Mail Only” or “Consumer Commodity ORM-D.” 

You’ll want to make sure all markings are made with insoluble material, such as a permanent marker. For further peace of mind, you can add approved square-on-point hazmat shipping labels as well.

FedEx

New regulations with FedEx also allow domestic (continental U.S.) shipment of ethyl alcohol hand sanitizer with less than 70 percent alcohol by volume. Products with higher alcohol percentages are subject to some slightly different rules, so you should consult a FedEx representative with questions for highly concentrated products.

To qualify, the package should not contain more than 192 fl. oz. of hand sanitizer or must weigh less than 66 lbs. The individual containers of hand sanitizer cannot exceed 16 fl. oz. if they are non-glass and no more than 8 fl. oz. if they’re made of glass. 

To protect your package, contents and carrier, make sure to use inner packaging that will cushion and secure your contents—such as packing peanuts, air cushions or bubble wrap—within the outer package to prevent movement and spilling during shipping.

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UPS

To ship hazardous materials with UPS, you’ll need a hazmat approved shipping account with them.

However, in response to the COVID pandemic, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has made temporary exceptions for shipping small amounts of hand sanitizer within the continental U.S., so depending on the volume you’re planning to send, you may not need an approved account.  UPS recommends speaking to one of their representatives to determine the exact packaging, labeling and shipping details for your product.

Consult the Experts

As people continue to adapt to the new normal of living during a pandemic, hand sanitizer will become an increasingly precious commodity. Although the regulations for shipping in-demand items like hand sanitizer and alcohol wipes can be confusing and vary from carrier to carrier, there are resources available to assist you.

Air Sea Containers, Inc. is a family-owned organization that has been supplying shipping materials for HAZMAT products and services worldwide for over 20 years.

We provide shipping and packing solutions for schools, government agencies, large Fortune 500 companies and even individuals wanting to ship something deemed dangerous to a friend or relative across the country.

We offer a large selection of products at affordable prices. Look through our website to learn more about how we can meet your shipping and packaging needs.