# Silly, silly question re: shipping **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 18, 2002, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-silly-question-re-shipping/143682 "2002-12-18T23:21:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bristlesage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@bristlesage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bristlesage)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2002, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-silly-question-re-shipping/143682/1 "2002-12-18T23:21:30Z")
My mother wants to know if she could use the postage machine to ship me across the U.S. via the USPS. I am aware this is one of the silliest questions ever asked in GQ, and may actually be an IMHO issue. But, can she? [sub]I asked three times if she wanted me to ask, really, and she said yes. So here we are.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2002, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-silly-question-re-shipping/143682/2 "2002-12-18T23:23:00Z")
I am pretty sure the USPS forbids shipping of most living creatures. And also human bodies. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2002, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-silly-question-re-shipping/143682/3 "2002-12-19T00:28:17Z")
Silly, silly counterquestion: Are you [Flat Stanley](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0060206810/103-9191498-3307007?vi=glance)? ---
**Author:** ![bristlesage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@bristlesage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bristlesage)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2002, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-silly-question-re-shipping/143682/4 "2002-12-19T00:36:30Z")
I’m not, but I only wish I were. Because then I’m pretty sure the answer would be, “Yes, yes you can ship yourself.” ---
**Author:** ![roadrunner70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e19b73/32.png) [@roadrunner70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/roadrunner70)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2002, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-silly-question-re-shipping/143682/5 "2002-12-19T00:39:41Z")
I think it could probably be done, not legally, but still done. Do you have a fetish for risking being folded, spindled, or mutilated? 'Cos that’s probably another thread… ---
**Author:** ![Violet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ebca7d/32.png) [@Violet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Violet)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2002, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-silly-question-re-shipping/143682/6 "2002-12-19T02:03:13Z")
Probably cheaper to go by bus. And certainly gotta be more comfy. ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2002, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-silly-question-re-shipping/143682/7 "2002-12-19T02:15:05Z")
You should really listen to the Velvet Underground’s “The Gift” before you let anyone mail you anywhere. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2002, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-silly-question-re-shipping/143682/8 "2002-12-19T02:26:01Z")
I tried to calculate the postage cost on the USPS web site and it said “I’m sorry, the weight may not exceed 70 pounds.” So I’d guess the answer is no. UPS has a more generous limit of 150 lb, but I still wouldn’t fit in it. The [UPS Tariff](http://www.ups.com/trademark/trademark.html) has this to say about transporting animals: > [@](#): > > UPS does not regularly provide service for packages containing live animals. UPS will only accept packages containing live animals on an exception basis. Transportation for packages containing live animals is limited, must be prearranged, and will only be provided under the following conditions: the shipper has received written authorization from UPS for the specific package tendered; and, he shipper requests service in accordance with the conditions set forth in the written authorization from UPS for the package tendered. Any package containing a live animal shall be considered a perishable commodity. UPS shall not be liable for any package containing a live animal in the event of loss, damage, delay, or is delivery, nor shall UPS be liable for any special, incidental, or consequential damages. I’m pretty sure UPS will not give you the written authorization to ship a live human being. ---
**Author:** ![starfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/87869e/32.png) [@starfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/starfish)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2002, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-silly-question-re-shipping/143682/9 "2002-12-19T13:54:17Z")
Would you survive the irradiation the USPS uses to kill anthrax? ---
**Author:** ![Alto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Alto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alto)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2002, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-silly-question-re-shipping/143682/10 "2002-12-19T16:39:06Z")
I wish I could give a cite, but I can’t remember where I heard this–it’s a supposedly a true story. During the depression, a little girl was shipped to visit her grandmother as freight rather than a passenger. The mother consulted with the train conductor and they decided she could count as “baby chicks.” ---
**Author:** ![bristlesage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@bristlesage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bristlesage)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2002, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-silly-question-re-shipping/143682/11 "2002-12-19T20:28:49Z")
Okay, then, I’m going with nope, and I thank you all for your help. My mother is satisfied; the fight against ignorance can claim another victory.