# Why do some boxes have ORM-D printed on them? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 6, 2007, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-boxes-have-orm-d-printed-on-them/402958 "2007-05-06T05:09:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Drum\_God](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drum_god/32/44_2.png) [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2007, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-boxes-have-orm-d-printed-on-them/402958/1 "2007-05-06T05:09:16Z")
That’s pretty much the question. Some cardboard boxes have the letters “ORM-D” printed on them inside a rectangle. What’s that for? ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2007, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-boxes-have-orm-d-printed-on-them/402958/2 "2007-05-06T05:14:02Z")
“Other Regulater Material - Domestic” Basically UPS/FEDEX/USPS regular certain items and materials. If its regulated but permitted to be shipped, certain handling procedures must be followed, including the box labeling. I believe aerosol cans and most flammables fall into this catagory. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2007, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-boxes-have-orm-d-printed-on-them/402958/3 "2007-05-06T07:41:21Z")
[QUOTE=jnglmassiv] “Other Regulater Material - Domestic” Basically UPS/FEDEX/USPS regular certain items and materials. If its regulated but permitted to be shipped, certain handling procedures must be followed, including the box labeling. I believe aerosol cans and most flammables fall into this catagory. [/QUOTE] Ammunition and Explosives being sent by mail/FedEx/UPS must have ORM-D labels in the US, I’m told. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2007, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-boxes-have-orm-d-printed-on-them/402958/4 "2007-05-06T08:04:35Z")
[QUOTE=jnglmassiv] Basically UPS/FEDEX/USPS regular certain items and materials. [/QUOTE] Hoo boy..Make that **regulates** certain items. Golly. ---
**Author:** ![Chief\_Pedant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@Chief\_Pedant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chief_Pedant)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2007, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-boxes-have-orm-d-printed-on-them/402958/5 "2007-05-06T14:16:30Z")
[QUOTE=jnglmassiv] Hoo boy..Make that **regulates** certain items. Golly. [/QUOTE] Not to mention that it’s Other Regulated Materials, Domestic 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2007, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-boxes-have-orm-d-printed-on-them/402958/6 "2007-05-06T20:06:29Z")
[QUOTE=Chief Pedant] Not to mention that it’s Other Regulated Materials, Domestic 🙂 [/QUOTE] Ahem. Of course. I used the term in the East Coast sense. _grabs slice of pizza, eyes darting_ ---
**Author:** ![Drum\_God](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drum_god/32/44_2.png) [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2007, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-boxes-have-orm-d-printed-on-them/402958/7 "2007-05-06T20:08:59Z")
My wife is an independent Avon dealer and sometimes her boxes say ORM-D on them. I guess that perfume is pretty dangerous! I never noticed her stuff getting any special treatment. Thanks for the replies.