---
type: restriction
id: usps-safety-matches-book-card-or-strike-on-box
asset: shipping-restrictions-by-class
title: "Safety matches (book, card, or strike-on-box) — Postal shipping restrictions by item category"
sources:
  - https://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c3_023.htm
source_quote: "Safety matches: Book, card, or strike-on-box safety matches are permitted only in domestic mail via surface transportation."
generated: true
harvested: 2026-08-04
stale_after: 2027-08-04
item_category: "Safety matches (book, card, or strike-on-box)"
carrier: "USPS"
restriction_type: "restricted"
scope: "domestic mail via surface transportation only"
conditions: "Permitted only in domestic mail via surface transportation; must follow Packaging Instruction 4B; mailpieces marked 'Surface Only' or 'Surface Mail Only'"
verified: false
unverified_fields: conditions, item_category
---
**Item category:** Safety matches (book, card, or strike-on-box)

**Carrier:** USPS

**Restriction type:** restricted

**Scope:** domestic mail via surface transportation only

**Conditions:** Permitted only in domestic mail via surface transportation; must follow Packaging Instruction 4B; mailpieces marked 'Surface Only' or 'Surface Mail Only'

> Safety matches: Book, card, or strike-on-box safety matches are permitted only in domestic mail via surface transportation.

Source: <https://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c3_023.htm>