# Another brilliant move: No air packages ship to USA over 453 grams. Thanks, TSA! **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [December 6, 2010, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-brilliant-move-no-air-packages-ship-to-usa-over-453-grams-thanks-tsa/563132 "2010-12-06T09:26:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-brilliant-move-no-air-packages-ship-to-usa-over-453-grams-thanks-tsa/563132/1 "2010-12-06T09:26:39Z")
I only see it on a few [Japan-based English language news sites](http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&tbs=nws%3A1&q=%22Transportation+Security+Administration%22+453+gram&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=) so far, but if it’s true, then – BRILLIANT! ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT! THANKS, TSA! I’ll confine my Christmas gifts to family back home to paper napkins and pencil shavings, that’s what they would have wanted anyway! According to [this](http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20101117a5.html): > [@](#): > > Japan Post Services Co. said it will stop accepting airmail packages bound for the United States weighing 453 grams (1 pound) or more starting Wednesday because airlines will stop such delivery at the request of U.S. aviation authorities as part of antiterrorism measures . . . > > The Transportation Security Administration of the U.S. has informed air carriers of the 453-gram rule, and carriers notified Japan Post Services, the spokesman said. The rule applies not only to packages from Japan but from other countries. Debate: How can this be true? How can this be sane? If even a portion of it is true, does this show a bloody-minded determination to destroy the US economy, or what? ---
**Author:** ![Desert\_Nomad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desert_nomad/32/177_2.png) [@Desert\_Nomad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desert_Nomad)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 9:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-brilliant-move-no-air-packages-ship-to-usa-over-453-grams-thanks-tsa/563132/2 "2010-12-06T09:31:11Z")
In Cyprus right now there is NO mail allowed to the USA and many places in Europe have a 40 gram limit. The whole thing is just ridiculous. Al Qaeda doesn’t need to destroy America… they only need to get America to destroy itself. ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-brilliant-move-no-air-packages-ship-to-usa-over-453-grams-thanks-tsa/563132/3 "2010-12-06T09:33:57Z")
Sad to say, there was a time I would have regarded that as hyperbole. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-brilliant-move-no-air-packages-ship-to-usa-over-453-grams-thanks-tsa/563132/4 "2010-12-06T11:12:20Z")
Just for entertainment value, can we have a link to an actaul US government source before we start lambasting the USPS over this? ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-brilliant-move-no-air-packages-ship-to-usa-over-453-grams-thanks-tsa/563132/5 "2010-12-06T11:41:13Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > Just for entertainment value, can we have a link to an actaul US government source before we start lambasting the USPS over this? Who’s blaming the USPS? We’re blaming the _TSA_. ---
**Author:** ![Double\_Foolscap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85e7bf/32.png) [@Double\_Foolscap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Double_Foolscap)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-brilliant-move-no-air-packages-ship-to-usa-over-453-grams-thanks-tsa/563132/6 "2010-12-06T11:56:04Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > Just for entertainment value, can we have a link to an actaul US government source before we start lambasting the USPS over this? I did a cursory Google, but couldn’t find anything beyond discussion of the Japanese article and a few “The TSA is planning to ban heavy airmail” articles from a while back. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-brilliant-move-no-air-packages-ship-to-usa-over-453-grams-thanks-tsa/563132/7 "2010-12-06T12:28:23Z")
> [@Grumman](#): > > Who’s blaming the USPS? We’re blaming the _TSA_. I stand corrected. Any links to actual statements or policies from official TSA sources? ---
**Author:** ![What\_the](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f4b2a3/32.png) [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-brilliant-move-no-air-packages-ship-to-usa-over-453-grams-thanks-tsa/563132/8 "2010-12-06T12:55:35Z")
Not to worry… if they get really busy they’ll just [shut down the procedure](http://www.prisonplanet.com/drudge-fought-the-tsa-and-drudge-won.html). ---
**Author:** ![cckerberos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@cckerberos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cckerberos)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-brilliant-move-no-air-packages-ship-to-usa-over-453-grams-thanks-tsa/563132/9 "2010-12-06T13:35:39Z")
You’re a little late on this one. Japan Post resumed air shipments of 453g+ packages on the 1st. Australia Post is still slapping a $9 “security surcharge” on all packages over 453g, though. The closest I can find as to official word on this is: > [@](#): > > Late last week, TSA directed industry carriers to begin implementing additional precautionary security measures for international flights inbound to the United States. These measures take effect today. Specifically, the ban on air cargo from Yemen will continue and has been extended to all air cargo from Somalia as well. In addition, no high risk cargo will be allowed on passenger aircraft. Toner and ink cartridges over 16 ounces will be prohibited on passenger aircraft in both carry-on bags and checked bags on domestic and international flights in-bound to the United States. This ban will also apply to certain inbound international air cargo shipments as well. Further, all cargo identified as high risk will go through additional and enhanced screening. These measures also impact inbound international mail packages, which must be screened individually and certified to have come from an established postal shipper. No specifics about what “high risk cargo” is. Japan Post claims that the new regulations require it to make arrangements to use cargo aircraft for heavy packages rather than passenger aircraft. ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-brilliant-move-no-air-packages-ship-to-usa-over-453-grams-thanks-tsa/563132/10 "2010-12-06T13:45:31Z")
As long as that pound of C4 I planned to mail my close enemies can still fly at normal rates, I’m happy… ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-brilliant-move-no-air-packages-ship-to-usa-over-453-grams-thanks-tsa/563132/11 "2010-12-06T13:51:51Z")
> [@DrCube](#): > > As long as that pound of C4 I planned to mail my close enemies can still fly at normal rates, I’m happy… Keep it to 450 grams or under, and don’t re-use a toner box and you should be fine. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-brilliant-move-no-air-packages-ship-to-usa-over-453-grams-thanks-tsa/563132/12 "2010-12-06T22:22:44Z")
And meanwhile, a flake in Californnia has a house _so full of home-made explosives_, that the authorities gotta burn down the house, 'cause its too risky to move em.:smack: ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-brilliant-move-no-air-packages-ship-to-usa-over-453-grams-thanks-tsa/563132/13 "2010-12-06T22:26:04Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > Keep it to 450 grams or under, and don’t re-use a toner box and you should be fine. And where did the two of you get the idea that the government has a sense of humor? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tao_s_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-brilliant-move-no-air-packages-ship-to-usa-over-453-grams-thanks-tsa/563132/14 "2010-12-06T22:45:30Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > Keep it to 450 grams or under, and don’t re-use a toner box and you should be fine. Are you including the weight of the detonator? It’s a common newbie mistake to forget about the detonator weight. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-brilliant-move-no-air-packages-ship-to-usa-over-453-grams-thanks-tsa/563132/15 "2010-12-06T23:01:45Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > And meanwhile, a flake in Californnia has a house _so full of home-made explosives_, that the authorities gotta burn down the house, 'cause its too risky to move em.:smack: CITE? Not that I don’t believe you I’m just curious. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-brilliant-move-no-air-packages-ship-to-usa-over-453-grams-thanks-tsa/563132/16 "2010-12-06T23:06:49Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > CITE? Not that I don’t believe you I’m just curious. [Current thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=588214) with links. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2010, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-brilliant-move-no-air-packages-ship-to-usa-over-453-grams-thanks-tsa/563132/17 "2010-12-07T00:27:33Z")
> [@Desert\_Nomad](#): > > In Cyprus right now there is NO mail allowed to the USA and many places in Europe have a 40 gram limit. The whole thing is just ridiculous. > > Al Qaeda doesn’t need to destroy America… they only need to get America to destroy itself. They have won… ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2010, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-brilliant-move-no-air-packages-ship-to-usa-over-453-grams-thanks-tsa/563132/18 "2010-12-07T01:11:55Z")
> [@Desert\_Nomad](#): > > In Cyprus right now there is NO mail allowed to the USA and many places in Europe have a 40 gram limit. The whole thing is just ridiculous. My in-laws llive in Cyprus, and were told as of last week when they tried to mail Christmas gifts to their kids that packages up to 400 grams were allowed. The Post Office lady kindly helped my MIL break up her larger packages into multiple smaller ones that met the weight limit, each requiring separate Customs declarations, etc. I still think this whole thing is completely boneheaded. Are they not screening packages anyway? If they are, then why the ridiculous weight limit? Heck, one good-sized book would be over the limit! ---
**Author:** ![Shamozzle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shamozzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shamozzle)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2010, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-brilliant-move-no-air-packages-ship-to-usa-over-453-grams-thanks-tsa/563132/19 "2010-12-07T07:43:13Z")
> [@cckerberos](#): > > Australia Post is still slapping a $9 “security surcharge” on all packages over 453g, though. Waahh??? “Akbar, get in here!.. So, Akbar, did you get the bomb on the plane, or what?” “Nah, man… No.” “…Well, what? Why not?” “There was, like, a $9 surcharge, man.” “A what?” “Like a $9 surcharge. A security surcharge. $9.” “…And???” “Well…$9… I mean, COME ON…$9? NINE-FREAKING-DOLLARS!!!” "HOLY %##, ARE YOU SERIOUS?? YOU DIDN’T PAY IT??? “Well, no, I didn’t… I mean, $9. Come on, that’s just ridiculous. That’s a lot of money.” “…All right, well, listen. Let me tell you something, Akbar. We are Al-Qaeda. Al-Freaking-Qaeda. We’ve got the dough. And I mean A LOT of dough. It is embarrassing how much money we have, understand? $9 is not a lot of money.” “…” “…Look, _grabs wallet_ Here’s $9. Get to the post office.” “…Well…” “GET TO THE POST OFFICE!” “ALRIGHT, sheesh… You don’t have to yell.” Sorry, I’m tired. ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2010, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-brilliant-move-no-air-packages-ship-to-usa-over-453-grams-thanks-tsa/563132/20 "2010-12-07T10:13:32Z")
It looks like I may have jumped the gun on the putative 453 gram rule, but I think there’s still an interesting debate about the TSA’s (apparently) evolving policy regarding packages. If a mod would consider changing the title if deemed appropriate, I wouldn’t mind. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-brilliant-move-no-air-packages-ship-to-usa-over-453-grams-thanks-tsa/563132.md?page=2)