Oldgas.com Home
Posted By: JR Pat Shipping full cans. - Sat Sep 15 2018 01:30 PM
We're doing a farm cleanup and found some oil related items. What is the preferred/legal way to ship full oil, oil additive, and antifreeze cans? Thanks in advance! JP
Posted By: It's for sale Re: Shipping full cans. - Sat Sep 15 2018 01:42 PM
https://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c3_001.htm
Posted By: JR Pat Re: Shipping full cans. - Sun Sep 16 2018 06:00 PM
I assumed that it's frowned upon to USPS or UPS full cans. But I also assume that some of Oldgas members ship full ones anyway. How's it done? Thanks JP
Posted By: Steven C. Re: Shipping full cans. - Sun Sep 16 2018 07:55 PM
I always ask the seller to empty first with (2) 1/8" holes in the bottom. And then put the can in a 1 gallon zip lock. Or even two. And then the usual bubble wrap and such. Legal? Who knows. But short of a box getting completely crushed, what's going to happen?
Posted By: Mr.Wadhams Re: Shipping full cans. - Sun Sep 16 2018 08:39 PM
I ship full cans all the time...but I package them very securely and in a plastic bag.

Jim



Quote off an Ebay discussion board:


Here all that matters is where the flashpoint falls in the USPS/DOT defined ranges.


According to Google, flashpoint of motor oil is 420-485 deg F.



Per USPS [ http://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c3_020.htm ]:



Note: A liquid with a flashpoint above 200° F (93° C) is not regulated as a hazardous

material and may be mailed subject to the general packaging requirements in DMM 601.1-7,

provided it possesses no characteristics of another hazard class.
...

Above 200°F (93°C): The material is not regulated as a hazardous material.

Such nonregulated materials must be properly and securely packaged to prevent

leakage under the general packaging requirements in DMM 601.2.0.




Motor oils appear to (potentially) only fall into hazard class 3, and their high flashpoints make them neither flammable nor combustible by the definitions (which then kicks them out of that class.)
Posted By: JR Pat Re: Shipping full cans. - Mon Sep 17 2018 01:44 AM
Ok. That answers my question. Thanks JP
© Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk