| This article only applies to shipping with UPS on Shippo. It covers shipments that travel via UPS® Ground within the 48 contiguous US states and don't require shipping papers. Fully regulated hazardous materials aren't supported using UPS as a carrier on Shippo. |
You can ship certain Limited Quantity hazardous materials (HAZMAT) through UPS safely and compliantly when you follow the guidelines below. It's your responsibility as the shipper to comply with UPS and federal regulations when shipping hazardous materials. Improper labeling or classification can result in regulatory fines, shipment delays, or safety risks.
UPS allows certain Limited Quantity hazardous materials to ship via UPS® Ground without special shipping papers or certifications, but strict conditions apply.
What qualifies as Limited Quantity
Limited Quantity items typically don't require special paperwork, and may include:
- Aerosol cans
- Nail polish
- Fragrances (alcohol-free or in compliant packaging)
- Personal or therapeutic oils
- Self-tanning products
- Dry ice, up to 5.5 lbs., which can ship via UPS domestic Ground and Air
- Lithium batteries installed in equipment, under 5 kg (11 lbs.) total weight
- Certain medications and household chemicals
These items can pose risks if mishandled and still need to be properly packaged and labeled to meet DOT and UPS Limited Quantity requirements.
Declaration requirements
- Don't select "Shipment contains hazardous materials." When you create a label for a Limited Quantity shipment that qualifies, leave this checkbox unselected.
- Use UPS® Ground service only. Limited Quantity shipments can only travel via UPS® Ground. Destinations that require air transport, including Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, aren't supported for HAZMAT.
- Follow all marking requirements. No shipping papers are needed, but you still need to follow all applicable packaging, labeling, and marking requirements under the HM-215K standard and UPS policy.
Creating a HAZMAT shipment using UPS as a carrier on Shippo
For web app users:
- Create or select an order.
- Confirm your item qualifies under Limited Quantity rules.
- Select UPS® Ground as your shipping method.
- Leave "shipment contains hazardous materials" unselected.
- Purchase and print your label.
Important notes:
- Fully regulated HAZMAT shipments aren't supported through UPS as a carrier on Shippo at this time. If your own UPS account is authorized for hazardous materials shipping, you can still ship fully regulated HAZMAT that way.
- UPS doesn't accept fully regulated HAZMAT at customer-facing locations or through Internet Shipping. These require a UPS pickup. Some locations may accept Limited Quantity ground shipments within the 48 contiguous states. Learn more in UPS's Hazardous Materials Shipping Service Definition.
Hazardous items you can't ship using UPS on Shippo
UPS treats the following terms as common indicators of fully regulated hazardous materials. Items described this way aren't eligible for shipping with UPS as a carrier on Shippo:
- Acidic
- Caustic
- Combustible
- Compressed gas
- Corrosive
- Explosive
- Flammable (like gasoline)
- Infectious or communicable
- Inflammable
- Poisonous or toxic
- Radioactive
- Volatile
If your shipment contains any of these materials, contact UPS directly for guidance at the Hazardous Materials Support Center: 1-800-554-9964.
Shipping restrictions by region
Shipping HAZMAT through UPS® Ground service isn't available for the following regions:
- Alaska
- Hawaii
- Puerto Rico
- Catalina Island
- Any location that requires air-only service
Support
For questions about UPS hazardous materials shipping, contact the UPS Hazardous Materials Support Center at 1-800-554-9964.