Can I Ship Chlorine Through USPS?

Pool chemicals like chlorine play a pretty significant role in the U.S. economy. It makes sense if you think about it: for every pool you see, there are probably chlorine tablets in there to keep it clean and sanitary for swimmers! Chlorine and other pool chemicals are common examples of hazardous materials that require proper packaging, labeling, and ground transportation for shipping. That said, while you can send many hazardous materials through USPS via ground transportation and with the proper labeling, USPS won’t allow you to ship chlorine.

USPS Prohibits Chlorine Shipments via Ground & Air Transportation

Unfortunately, USPS doesn’t allow chlorine shipments to be accepted into its network whatsoever. That means you cannot send it with any USPS services, including USPS Ground Advantage, Priority Mail, and Priority Mail Express.

This is based on Appendix A of the USPS Postal Explorer, in which USPS has labeled “Chlorine” as “Prohibited” with both air-based and ground-based transport.

You Also Can’t Send Chlorine Internationally

As USPS prohibits shippers from sending chlorine within the U.S., the same goes for overseas destinations: you can’t send chlorine through the U.S. Postal Service. In fact, international shipping regulations prohibit you from sending chlorine to international destinations through any carrier at all.

Hazardous materials like pool chemicals require you to send them via ground transportation only, and international shipments only travel via air-based transportation. Some shippers may specifically choose sea transportation for lower rates and slower service…but even then, international regulations prohibit hazardous materials altogether.

Seek Alternative Shipping Carriers to Send Chlorine

Since USPS won’t accept chlorine into its network, you should seek out other carriers if you or your business needs to ship it. As a starting point, you can contact UPS through their website or call 1-888-742-5877 to inquire whether they will accept chlorine shipments via ground transportation (within the U.S. only).