HazMat fees?

[Electrikkoolaid]

Maybe I'm stupid:

When I buy mail order gunpowder or primers I have to pay HazMat fees.

Yet why when I buy a box of mail order ammo, which contains both gun powder AND primers, do I not have to pay the hazmat fee?

[Keltyke]

Two guesses:

1. The hazardous materials in the ammo are contained in a manufactured unit, whereas the raw primers and powder are "loose".
2. The selling company has the HazMat fee built into their price.

Now maybe someone with the real facts can chime in.

[Rt1Rebel]

Quite simply, it's just the way laws are written. I can cite a dozen analogous taxes and penalties, but I think you get the idea.

[Cuda66]

I seem to recall reading somewhere that it's a carryover from the days when blasting powder was commonly used and shipped. IIRC, a train went kablooie, leading to the law...bullets tended to not blow up, and were exempt.

[Groo]

I'm not sure the law is so stupid. ammo is pretty much harmless without a barrel to direct the bullet and a chamber to contain the pressure.

bulk powder and primers have to potential to start a fire at least. black powder has the potential to explode.

[rtparso]

Originally Posted by Groo

I'm not sure the law is so stupid. ammo is pretty much harmless without a barrel to direct the bullet and a chamber to contain the pressure.

bulk powder and primers have to potential to start a fire at least. black powder has the potential to explode.

This and if a loaded cartridge went off generally only 1 would go off not the whole box. If a bottle of modern powder went off the whole thing burns 1lb vs 5-50 grains. The same with primers.

[Electrikkoolaid]

I live in an area where reloading supplies are scarce.

I reload some, but not enough to buy in huge bulk. I also don't know anyone else who reloads.

It irritates me to buy say $40 in primers and have to pay $50 in shipping! If I order both primers and powder, I get raped twice.

But the same powder and the same primers, contained in individual brass wrappers, has not two, not one, but NO hazmat fees!

WTH? It makes no sense at all, and seems like a blatant rip=off by the shipping companies.

Just like an FFL can use the post office to ship a gun, but I have to use expensive overnight service? Why? It's the same gun! It's not going to get stolen in the system because an FFL's name is on the box?

[driver]

Originally Posted by Electrikkoolaid

I live in an area where reloading supplies are scarce.

WTH? It makes no sense at all, and seems like a blatant rip=off by the shipping companies.

You show yourself in Raleigh,NC? I searched ammo on 'google earth' near Raleigh and found shops that appear to have reloading supplies!


AND it appears you have figured out the truth! It's not the DOT, or DHS,TSA (HAZMAT), or any other Gov't agency that regulates the freight industry. It's the shipping companies themselves. We just jump through hoops and follow endless regulations to keep up appearances. Please keep this secret to yourself.

[KP Ling]

Ammo and components are regulated by the Postal Service as hazardous material. They are classed as "ORM-D" along with several other items that could be dangerous under certain conditions. I do not know or recall, I used to work for a large private shipper, the cut-offs. If I recall correctly, finished/loaded ammo was always classed as "ORM-D" regardless of amount. Loose and bulk powder had a cut-off weight. It was ORM-D under a certain amount and then regulated as another class with explosive hazard above that cut-off amount. Maybe they now just classify any amount as an explosive hazard since they need the cash.

You either might want to try ordering less at a time but more often to see if that cuts down on the cost since you are not exceeding a cut-off amount. Or see how if there is simply a flat fee once you exceed the cut-off amount and then just go ahead and order as much as you can afford since you will not be paying more per unit weight.

[fredj338]

Originally Posted by Cuda66

I seem to recall reading somewhere that it's a carryover from the days when blasting powder was commonly used and shipped. IIRC, a train went kablooie, leading to the law...bullets tended to not blow up, and were exempt.

I don't think it's even a law but a fee charged by the shippers; UPS & FEDEX. You can buy primed brass or ammo & have that sent free of HM?? Yeah, makes no sense, but it si the rule.

Ammo and components are regulated by the Postal Service as hazardous material. They are classed as "ORM-D" along with several other items that could be dangerous under certain conditions.

Maybe, but the USPS does NOT ship HM & there is no fee provision. Again, ammo shipped UPS is marked ORM-D, but free of HM charges, same for primed brass. Only separate primers & powder get nicked for HM fees.