Air Transport Requirements

TM 55-315

(2) The total activity per package does not exceed the relevant limits listed in table 4-7;

(3) The radiation level at 10 centimeters (4 inches) from any point on the external surface of any unpackaged

instrument or device does not exceed 10 millirems per hour;

(4) The radiation level at any point on the external surface of the package bearing the device or instrument does

not exceed 0.5 millirem per hour, or for exclusive-use domestic shipments, 2 millirems per hour;

(5) The nonfixed (removable) radioactive surface contamination on the external surface of the package does not

exceed the limit specified in 49 CFR 173.443(a);

(6) Except as provided in 49 CFR 173.424, the package does not contain more than 15 grams of uanium-235;

(7) At least one external dimension of the package is not less than 10 centimeters (4 inches); and

(8) The outside of the inner packaging or, if no inner packaging, the outside of the packaging itself is marked

Radioactive. (See note in para 14-la(4) above.)

c. Table of Activity Limits for Limited Quantities, Instruments, and Articles (49 CFR 173.423). The limits applicable

to instruments, devices, and limited quantities subject to exceptions under 49 CFR 173.421 and 49 CFR 173.422 are

shown in table 4-7.

d. Excepted Articles Containing Uranium or Thorium (49 CFR 173.424). Manufactured articles in which the sole

radioactive material content is natural or depleted uranium or natural thorium are excepted from specification packaging,

marking, and labeling requirements if:

(1) The outer surface of the uranium or thorium is enclosed in an inactive sheath of metal or other protective

material; and

(2) The conditions specified in 49 CFR 173.421 (b), (c), and (d) are met.

14-4. Air Transport Requirements

Shipment by passenger aircraft is restricted to radioactive material intended for use in, or incident to, research, medical

diagnosis, or treatment. All other radioactive material is NONMAILABLE by passenger aircraft through the US Postal

Service. However, per chapter 10 of this manual, larger shipments of radioactive material may be shipped by air, but not

through the US Postal Service.

14-5. International Mail Requirements

Shipments containing radioactive materials are mailable through international mails if the following provisions are met:

a. Radioactive shipments must be sent in a registered airmail letter package.

b. Shipments must comply with both the International Atomic Energy Agency Regulations and the packaging

specifications outlined in this chapter.

c. Senders and recipients of radioactive materials must receive prior authorization from the appropriate regulatory

authorities within their countries.

d. A white package label bearing the French words "MATIERES RADIOACTIVES" (Radioactive Materials) must be

taped or gummed to the address side of each package containing radioactive materials. Senders are responsible for

supplying and affixing this label to the package wrapper.

e. Package wrappers must bear the following endorsement in bold letters: "Return to Sender in Case of

Nondelivery."

f. Radioactive materials may be sent only to those countries of the Universal Postal Union that have expressed a

willingness to accept packages containing radioactive materials. (See the particular country of interest in the

International Mail Manual under the "Prohibition and Restrictions" section for postal union mail.)

14-6. Nonmailable Radioactive Materials

The following shipments are NONMAILABLE through the US Postal Service.

a. Any package bearing one of the Department of Transportation labels shown in chapter 5 of this manual.

b. All radioactive materials except those that are outlined in paragraph 14-3 of this manual.

14-7. Packaging for the USPS

Besides the packaging specifications listed in chapter 4 of this manual, packages addressed from, to, or between

overseas military post offices must, as a minimum, be packed in containers equivalent to the fiberboard boxes, wood,

metal, or plastic containers as specified in the Domestic Mail Manual, section 121.

14-8. Package Markings (DMM 124.21)

Except as specified in paragraph 14-5d above, identification markings on the external surface of the package to be

mailed, which identifies the contents of any package containing radioactive material, are unauthorized.

14-9. Size and Weight Limitations

Each package may not weigh more than 70 pounds or have a combined length and girth of greater than 108 inches. To

compute the combined length and girth, measure the longest side and the distance

14-2