# USPS x-raying mail???? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 20, 2010, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usps-x-raying-mail/561331 "2010-11-20T14:54:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![growinupinfl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7c8e57/32.png) [@growinupinfl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/growinupinfl)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2010, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usps-x-raying-mail/561331/1 "2010-11-20T14:54:05Z")
ok, my question of does the USPS x-ray mail if so how often? In the world of mail order hatching eggs the statement ‘well the postal service must have x-rayed the eggs and killed them’, seems to be the most common reason people say the eggs do not hatch. For some reason this seems completely bogus to me. For as often as I here it claimed on hatching forums, they must be x-raying 60-80% of mailed eggs. For that to be random that would be a huge number of packages x-rayed daily. I think their is a gain of truth in everything, what is the grain with this? IS there any way to prevent your eggs from being x-rayed? Is there any recommended markings or stickers one should use to insure safe delivery? Thanks in advance, Christal ---
**Author:** ![fluiddruid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@fluiddruid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluiddruid)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2010, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usps-x-raying-mail/561331/2 "2010-11-20T15:06:14Z")
[This page calls X-raying “all incoming mail” a USPS ‘best practice’ for security.](http://www.usps.com/communications/news/security/bestpractices.htm) ---
**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:** [November 20, 2010, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usps-x-raying-mail/561331/3 "2010-11-20T15:07:35Z")
What happens if I need to mail order some X-ray film? ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2010, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usps-x-raying-mail/561331/4 "2010-11-20T15:48:23Z")
There are lots of ways to ship things. If you have something that is sensitive to x-rays (e.g. x-ray film) I think it is safe to say there is a way to ship it (since obviously x-ray film gets delivered to places all over the world from only a few manufacturers). Whether UPS has a way to circumvent the x-rays by using another inspection procedure because you told them your package cannot be x-rayed or you just have to find another company to ship it I couldn’t say. ---
**Author:** ![Baracus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/2bfe46/32.png) [@Baracus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baracus)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2010, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usps-x-raying-mail/561331/5 "2010-11-20T18:55:46Z")
> [@fluiddruid](#): > > [This page calls X-raying “all incoming mail” a USPS ‘best practice’ for security.](http://www.usps.com/communications/news/security/bestpractices.htm) That doesn’t mean the USPS x-rays the mail. It is a suggestion to private businesses and organizations to do so with the mail that _they_ receive. If the eggs in the OP are being shipped overnight or express, then it seems somewhat more likely that they might get x-rayed before being loaded on a plane. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2010, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usps-x-raying-mail/561331/6 "2010-11-20T19:14:19Z")
> [@growinupinfl](#): > > ok, my question of does the USPS x-ray mail if so how often? In the world of mail order hatching eggs the statement ‘well the postal service must have x-rayed the eggs and killed them’, seems to be the most common reason people say the eggs do not hatch. Wouldnt something like a quick wrap of aluminum foil around the inner packaging or the like greatly reduce the xray dose recieved by the eggs? Just thinking as a suggestion to the shipper.