Question about mailing packages - PIF

[Godzilla]

I was at the post office mailing out to PIF packages, and they normally ask if there is anything in the package that is flamable, or harmful and my answer is always a quick no. Yesterday, I swear that she threw in the word "liquids" which again, my answer was no. OK, cool, but it seems I am breaking some kind of law by "lying" to the post office. Not that I am paranoid or anything, but I have a pay it forward idea that would require mailing out a large quantity of different juices.

Is this ever going to be a problem? Are liquids not really allowed in the mail?

 

[cskent]

When I sent an unused pv as a pif I threw in a bottle of juice. They asked me if there were any liquids in there too. I lied and said no. I don't know what difference it makes, it's not against the law to ship liquids is it? Are there e-juice police just waiting to confiscate our stuff? I just wanted to avoid any hassle so I took the easy route. Maybe someone will answer who said yes they did have liquids in their package so I'll know whether to keep lying or just fess up.

 

[Nikhil]

I have told them I have liquids in it when they asked, then they asked what it was. I said food flavorings (that time I was only shipping some flavorings) and they asked if they were packaged well. I told them yes, they were in sealed plastic bottles and the guy didn't have a problem with it.

 

[Godzilla]

Excellent! Thanks! I think flavorings is the right answer, because they are. I will have to try this, cause I hate lying.

 

[kylewinther]

It should be fine. We have never had a problem with anything leaking or spilling out.

 

[pearlyvictoria]

I have told them I have liquids in it when they asked, then they asked what it was. I said food flavorings (that time I was only shipping some flavorings) and they asked if they were packaged well. I told them yes, they were in sealed plastic bottles and the guy didn't have a problem with it.

As a noob to e-cigs and the trade side of things, this is the exact question I needed answered. But Nikhil's answer is exactly what I did today with some no nic juice. I just felt bad about the half-truth as I am not much of a liar (no poker face at all, lol).

 

[six]

No need to lie to them. They are supposed to ask if there is anything fragile, liquid, perishable, or potentially hazardous. Answering yes to liquid, perishable or fragile only prompts a couple of questions about what sort of liquid or perishable item it is (and again no need to lie about the juice) and if you packed it properly. If you say yes to fragile, they are supposed to ask if it needs to be stamped fragile and that if the item is broken, could it become potentially hazardous. - If you answer yes to potentially hazardous, they will ask exactly what the potential hazard is and if it requires special permits etc for shipping and if you have the proper paperwork if it does. As long as what you are shipping doesn't meet specific criteria (explosive, corrosive, noxious etc), they usually stop asking questions after you tell them you packed it properly. In rare cases if they just don't understand, they may require you to open the package and they will re-tape it after they have seen inside. In even rarer cases (only heard of it once when a fellow was shipping liquified bat guano and potash) they could refuse to ship in which case, you go to the nearest UPS store where they don't ask so many questions and are happy to sell you USPS services.

 

[cskent]

Wow, this is an old thread, but it's still pertinent. Between my last posting back in September and today I've sent a number of packages containing e-juice. I decided to start telling them what was inside and there's been no problem so far. In fact I pulled my own bottle out of my pocket along with my PV and explained it to one of the postal clerks who smokes and she showed an interest in trying them. Another time a different clerk asked what was in the liquid and I explained the chemicals involved. He had no clue what I was talking about so I told him that VG was a skin conditioner. That was good enough for him so he let it go.

So basically I haven't had a problem shipping any e-juice, I don't have to lie or withhold information, and everything is ok. Don't worry about it, and if they do refuse to accept something you can probably just go to another post office and you won't have an issue.

 

[FantWriter]

Their primary concern with liquid (as I've been told) is that some packages can encounter freezing temps in the cargo holds of aircraft (no matter what the season, it can be really, really cold at altitude). Frozen liquids love to shatter their containers, and when things warm up, there's a whole bunch of sticky mail.

I've had them express more concern about a bottle of perfume (glass bottle) than about glycerin-based atomizing compounds (that usually gets a sort of blank stare -- I'm not sure if they think it must be okay or if they're just scared to ask anything more).

 

[pAth77]

I have told them I have liquids in it when they asked, then they asked what it was. I said food flavorings (that time I was only shipping some flavorings) and they asked if they were packaged well. I told them yes, they were in sealed plastic bottles and the guy didn't have a problem with it.

I say the same thing. They have no problem with shipping liquids, but it always helps to tell them that you packaged it properly....sealed bottle placed within a ziplock bag