What is Hazmat?
☣️ Shipping Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) with ShipGenius Lite
Shipping hazardous materials (hazmat) is a highly regulated process. ShipGenius Lite helps individuals and businesses stay compliant while enabling limited hazmat shipments through supported carriers.
This guide explains what qualifies as hazmat, which carriers support it, and what you need to do to ship it properly.
🔍 What is Hazmat?
Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) are substances that may pose risks during transport due to their chemical, physical, or biological properties. Common examples include:
Lithium-ion batteries
Aerosol cans
Perfumes and flammable liquids
Paints or solvents
Cleaning agents and chemicals
If you're not sure whether your product qualifies as hazmat, check the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) or consult the product manufacturer.
⚖️ Who Regulates Hazmat Shipping?
Hazmat shipments are regulated by transportation authorities based on the shipping method:
Transport Type | Regulating Authority |
Ground (U.S.) | U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) |
Air | International Air Transport Association (IATA) |
Ocean | International Maritime Organization (IMO) |
Carriers like USPS, UPS, and FedEx enforce these rules strictly and may require special approval to ship hazmat.
🚚 Hazmat Shipping Rules by Carrier on ShipGenius
ShipGenius supports hazmat shipping in limited scenarios, depending on the carrier and account type:
📬 USPS – Supported for Individuals
USPS allows many consumer-level hazmat items (e.g. lithium batteries, aerosols) when properly declared.
ShipGenius Lite supports hazmat shipping via USPS.
Shipments must comply with USPS restrictions and labeling requirements.
🚫 UPS – Not Supported for Individuals
UPS only allows hazmat shipping for users with their own UPS account that has hazmat permissions enabled.
ShipGenius’s default UPS rates cannot be used for hazmat shipments.
If you attempt to ship hazmat with UPS through ShipGenius, the label will be invalid and non-compliant.
⚠️ FedEx – Only with Eligible FedEx Accounts
FedEx supports hazmat shipping, but only on linked accounts with hazmat authorization.
ShipGenius negotiated FedEx accounts do not support hazmat for general users.
You must use your own authorized FedEx account if you want to ship hazmat.
🧾 What You Need to Ship Hazmat on ShipGenius
If shipping via USPS (or a qualified UPS/FedEx account), you must:
Mark the shipment as hazmat when creating the package in ShipGenius Lite.
Select the correct material type from the hazmat list.
Provide emergency contact information (required by law).
Ensure that your packaging and labels comply with DOT and carrier regulations.
💡 You are legally responsible for properly classifying, labeling, and declaring hazmat materials.
❌ What Happens if Hazmat is Shipped Improperly?
Shipping hazmat without proper declaration, packaging, or labeling can result in:
Immediate label invalidation
Package refusal, seizure, or destruction by the carrier
Fines from carriers or federal agencies
Suspension of your ShipGenius account - we take hazardous shipping very seriously.
📦 Common Hazmat Examples (You May Not Realize)
Product | Hazmat? | Notes |
Laptop with battery | ✅ | Must comply with lithium battery shipping rules |
Hairspray / deodorant | ✅ | Aerosol cans are regulated |
Nail polish | ✅ | Flammable liquid |
Power tool with battery | ✅ | Often includes regulated lithium cells |
Books | ❌ | Not hazmat |
Clothing | ❌ | Not hazmat |
🙋 Still Unsure?
If you're not sure whether your item qualifies as hazmat or what steps to follow:
Check the product’s SDS (Safety Data Sheet)
Contact the manufacturer or supplier
Reach out to info@shipgeni.us
✅ Summary
Feature | USPS | UPS (ShipGenius) | FedEx (ShipGenius) |
Hazmat shipping supported | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
Requires personal carrier account | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Requires hazmat declaration | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Labels auto-valid for hazmat | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
ShipGenius gives you tools to ship hazmat safely and legally — but you must follow regulations and ensure your materials are properly classified.