New USPS® HazMat Fees, Stricter Enforcement, and the $50 Mistake You Don't Want to Make

USPS is introducing new HazMat fees and stricter enforcement, including a $50 non-compliance penalty. Learn which products qualify, how to avoid costly mistakes, and stay compliant.
Staff Writer Pitney Bowes
6 min read 07/02/2026 Mailing

If your organization ships products containing lithium batteries, cosmetics, personal care items, fragrances, electronics, or certain household goods, USPS's latest hazardous materials (HazMat) changes deserve your attention.

The Postal Service has introduced new HazMat handling fees and non-compliance penalties designed to improve transportation safety and ensure hazardous materials are properly identified before entering the mailstream. While the changes may seem straightforward, the biggest challenge for many shippers is understanding what actually qualifies as a hazardous material and avoiding costly mistakes.

The reality? Many businesses are shipping HazMat products without realizing it.

The Big USPS HazMat Changes at a Glance

USPS has implemented:

  • A $7.50 hazardous materials handling fee for qualifying shipments sent via Priority Mail® and Priority Mail Express®.
  • A $50 hazardous materials non-compliance fee for packages that are improperly declared, improperly labeled, or otherwise fail to meet USPS HazMat requirements.
  • Enhanced enforcement efforts focused on proper HazMat identification and transportation safety.
  • Ground Advantage™ and Parcel Select® currently carry a HazMat handling fee of $0, although USPS has reserved the ability to assess fees in the future.

For many shippers, the biggest story isn't the new fee, it's the risk of non-compliance.

Think You Don't Ship HazMat? Think Again.

Many everyday products commonly shipped by businesses fall into HazMat categories because they contain flammable ingredients, lithium batteries, pressurized components, or other regulated materials. It’s not just industrial chemicals and dangerous cargo.

This is where many organizations get caught off guard. A beauty company shipping nail polish, a retailer sending electronics, or a corporate mailroom returning company-issued devices may all be shipping materials subject to HazMat requirements.

*Always verify USPS requirements for specific products before shipping. Product composition and packaging requirements may affect classification.

What's the Difference Between Compliance and Non-Compliance?

Compliance: Declare It Correctly

A compliant HazMat shipment typically includes:

  • Proper hazardous material identification
  • Required USPS declarations
  • Appropriate labeling and markings
  • Approved packaging
  • Correct service selection based on shipment contents

When properly declared, USPS applies the applicable handling fee and processes the shipment according to HazMat regulations.

Non-Compliance: The Costly Shortcut

Non-compliance occurs when hazardous material is shipped without the proper declaration, labeling, packaging, or documentation.

Examples include:

  • Shipping a lithium-battery-powered device without declaring it.
  • Sending nail polish through Priority Mail without the required HazMat designation.
  • Using incorrect packaging for regulated materials.
  • Missing required labels or markings.

The result can be a $50 non-compliance charge per shipment, in addition to possible delays or corrective actions.

The Most Unexpected Compliance Risk: Reusing Boxes

Here's a scenario many businesses don't consider.

You reuse a shipping box to reduce waste. Great idea.

But what if that box still displays a lithium battery sticker or another HazMat marking from a previous shipment?

USPS may view that package as improperly labeled. Even if the contents are not hazardous, the presence of outdated HazMat markings can create compliance issues and potentially expose the shipment to non-compliance fees. Shippers should remove, cover, or black out old HazMat labels before reusing boxes.

In other words, sustainability is encouraged, but only when packaging is properly cleaned up before reuse.

Why USPS Is Taking HazMat More Seriously

Many Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express shipments travel through air transportation networks.

Lithium batteries, flammable liquids, aerosols, and other hazardous materials can create significant transportation risks if not properly identified and handled. USPS has emphasized that these changes are intended to improve safety and reduce the chances of regulated materials entering the network without proper controls.

For shippers, that means HazMat compliance is becoming less about paperwork and more about operational risk management.

What This Means for E-commerce, Retail, and Mail Operations

E-commerce Sellers

Many products sold online – especially electronics, beauty products, and wellness items – may require HazMat declarations. Missing those requirements can impact shipping costs and customer satisfaction.

Corporate Mailrooms

Organizations frequently return laptops, mobile devices, and technology equipment containing lithium batteries. HazMat compliance procedures should be part of every shipping workflow.

Manufacturers and Distributors

Product samples, replacement parts, and specialized supplies may require HazMat treatment depending on their contents.

Healthcare and Life Sciences Organizations

Medical devices, diagnostic equipment, and other regulated products often require additional review before entering the mailstream.

Five Ways to Stay Compliant and Avoid Unnecessary Fees

1. Know What's in Your Package

Review product contents, not just product names. Batteries, alcohol-based solutions, and aerosols often trigger HazMat requirements.

2. Train Staff Regularly

Shipping teams should understand which products require declarations and labels.

3. Inspect Reused Packaging

Remove or completely cover outdated HazMat markings before shipping.

4. Verify Labels Before Drop-Off

A missing declaration can be far more expensive than the handling fee itself.

5. Use Shipping Technology That Guides Compliance

Modern shipping platforms like PitneyShip can help identify HazMat requirements, surface USPS guidance, and generate compliant shipping labels helping reduce risk and ensuring teams stay current with changing regulations.

How Pitney Bowes Helps Simplify USPS HazMat Compliance

Keeping up with changing USPS regulations can be challenging, especially when everyday items like mouthwash, nail polish, perfumes, and battery-powered devices may require hazardous material declarations. That's where the right shipping technology can make a significant difference.

  • Turn Compliance Into a Guided Process: Pitney Bowes shipping solutions help take the guesswork out of HazMat shipping by guiding users through the workflow. Instead of relying on employees to memorize USPS regulations, shippers can leverage built-in prompts and resources.
  • Access HazMat Guidance at the Point of Shipment: Within Pitney Bowes shipping software, users can access educational resources and USPS guidance directly from the shipping screen.
  • Generate Compliant Shipping Labels: When a shipment contains hazardous materials, the software supports the declaration process and helps ensure the appropriate shipping information is captured. This can help reduce the risk of expensive corrections, shipping delays, and the new $50 USPS non-compliance fee.
  • Reduce the Risk of Costly Errors: One of the most common mistakes USPS highlighted is improper labeling. Pitney Bowes solutions help organizations establish more consistent shipping workflows, reducing the likelihood of avoidable mistakes.
  • Compare Services and Control Costs: In addition to supporting compliance, Pitney Bowes shipping technology helps organizations evaluate USPS services, compare rates across carriers, identify the most cost-effective shipping option and avoid unexpected surcharges tied to inaccurate shipment information.
  • Gain Visibility Through Reporting and Analytics: Shipping managers need more than compliance. They need visibility. Pitney Bowes analytics and reporting tools provide insight into shipping activity, spend, carrier usage, and savings opportunities, helping organizations make more informed decisions over time.
  • Stay Ahead of Regulatory Changes: USPS shipping requirements continue to evolve. With Pitney Bowes, businesses gain access to technology designed to keep pace with changing postal regulations, helping reduce confusion and complexity.