Haz Mat Fee

Status
Not open for further replies.
S

Slinger

Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2005
Messages
241
Getting back into reloading after 20 some years. Things are different now then they were back in the 80's. For one buying componenents for reloading online seems to be the way to go except for one thing...that darn Haz Mat fee on powder and primers.

My question is, why the fee for these components but not for ammunition when orderd online? It doesn't make sense to me.
 
Uh . . . don't make all that much sense to me either. I guess they could argue that the powder and primer are safer once installed in the brass case. :confused: Hell I don't know. I think it's a bunch of B.S. too. I order in bulk to negate the fee. If you buy small batches go local if you can.
 
The Haz Mat fee was something invented by UPS back in the early 1990's. They figured out a way to make an extra buck from a lot of their shipments, even though there has never been an accident with primers or powder in any of their vehicles. Since they are the only carrier that will handle both primers and powders, we're stuck with it. I had my FFL for 18 years and remember when it was implemented. It started out at $5.00, if my memory serves me. It's similar to the fuel surcharge they imposed during one of the big upsurges in gas prices, but they "forgot" to remove it when the prices went back down. Now that gas is up again, they're still charging it, but it didn't go away in the interim.

Hope this helps.

Fred
 
I would not mind the haz mat fee so much if the materials were delivered with less abuse. I don't know why but some shipments from Midway I have ended up with bullets all over the street and my sidewalk to the house and the next shipment for the same amount the box is fine. Both seemed to be packed the same way. Interesting problem to observe as a consumer.

The same is true of powder and primers from powder valley. Even though the box plainly says "Adult signature required", there it sat on the front porch for most of the day. As a consumer one has to wonder what the haz mat fee really covers????
 
Last edited:
Rollis...Unless you own UPS you are being paid a wage the same as the rest of us. You don't get the Haz-Mat fee. UPS does. The Haz-Mat fee for gun powder and primers is absolutely ludicrous. No shipper has had an explosive accident sense powder or primers have been shipped by common carrier or UPS...Haz-Mat was originally set up for hazardous spills. Gun powder will not fit into this catigory either as it makes a great fertilizer when added to the soil...That goes for OSHA and their bright (dim) idea too...:fire::cuss::banghead:

By The Way...I think that only Black powder is the only gun powder that may be unstable when dropped. Could be wrong, but....................
 
When I worked for Airborne Express (now known as DHL since the anschluss ) and later at a regional trucking company, the Hazmat fee was to pay for the extra insurance premiums we had to pay incase there was a accident/spill. As the cost of clean-ups has gone up so has the cost of insurance, and the fee.

If it's listed in 49 CFR (or IATA for air shipments), it's Hazmat and you pay the fee.
 
No I am not the president of U.P.S. his name is Michael L. Eskew:D. I, am quite certain that they do take advantage of the fee, also I, am certain that though there has not been a major clear the town type accident since a navy ship exploded in Houston back during WWII, but to say that a truck carrying powder has never crashed causing a haz-mat spill is just silly. With the fees and permits ranging into the $10,000.00-$100,000.00, range plus the fines for any kind of haz-mat incident starting at $10,000.00 (spilled diesel fuel is considered a haz-mat incident) plus the insurance goes up when you are permitted for haz-mat regardless of the type of freight being hauled at the time. This is based by the number of unites that is covered by the polices. The drivers (teamsters) that carry a haz-mat endorsement are being paid more now because of the back ground checks, and finger printing necessary because of the 9-11 issues, all help contribute to the fee, and you might want to check your 401 or IRA I, bet there are some shares of U.P.S. in it. Yes U.P.S. is a for profit company and, they will do what it takes to make that 10-15% profit for the share holders.
I just check my IRA and, there is no U.P.S. stock in it, no wonder I’m losing my shirt.:cuss::banghead::(
 
they will do what it takes to make that 10-15% profit for the share holders.
Click to expand...

But we are still going to fuss. Got to go now. I need to call my broker. :rolleyes:
 
No rollo your not suposed to haul for free HOWEVER you do get paid to haul the cargo you just OVER charge via the hazmat fee. Now go back to sleep :uhoh:
 
thats why I buy all my primers and powder locally. that 20 dollar hazmat fee just kills any sort of savings i would get by ordering those components online. locally i can get 100 primers (shotgun) for about 3 bucks, pistol and rifle primers run about the same, get a lg of powder for usually around 27 bucks
 
+1 Rollis. I have taken classes on handling and shipment of explosives and other Hazmat. It is mind boggling the PITA it is with all the paperwork and regulations. And if you get it wrong and get caught (I'm just about talking punctuation errors!) -- it can be very bad for the pocketbook indeed, maybe even jail time. On the other hand, UPS and others' bean counters begin to see the fees as a profit center and they will be less likely to discontinue service in the future.
 
thats why I buy all my primers and powder locally. that 20 dollar hazmat fee just kills any sort of savings i would get by ordering those components online. locally i can get 100 primers (shotgun) for about 3 bucks, pistol and rifle primers run about the same, get a lg of powder for usually around 27 bucks
Click to expand...

You can save quite a bit ordering powder and primers online, but not ordering in quantities of 100 primers. 1K is the minimum and 5K is better for primer pricing. Powder is by the 4 or 8 pound jug (or jugs) unless trying something new then maybe add a pound to an order.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top