Legal Definitions - nonmailable

Nonmailable describes any item – such as a letter, package, or parcel – that is legally prohibited from being sent through a postal service. The reasons for an item being nonmailable can vary, often relating to its size, weight, contents, or the way it is addressed or labeled.

• Example 1: A person attempts to mail a bottle of highly corrosive acid through the standard postal service.

  Explanation: This item would be considered nonmailable because postal regulations strictly prohibit the mailing of hazardous materials like corrosive chemicals. These restrictions are in place to ensure the safety of postal workers and the public, as such substances pose significant risks during transport.

• Example 2: A customer tries to send a package containing a large, custom-built piece of furniture that significantly exceeds the maximum weight and dimension limits set by the postal carrier.

  Explanation: In this scenario, the package is nonmailable because it violates the postal service's physical restrictions. Postal services have specific guidelines for the size and weight of items they can transport, and anything exceeding these limits cannot be processed through their standard systems.

• Example 3: An individual attempts to mail a letter containing a credible threat of violence to another person.

  Explanation: This letter would be deemed nonmailable because its content is illegal and violates postal regulations against sending threatening communications. Postal services are not permitted to transport items that contain threats, harassment, or other unlawful messages.