Ammo Shipping Question

Package and label it properly conformant to ORM-D and ship it UPS Ground.
Works for me.

I've been told the UPS rules are it must be properly labeled and in it's orginal boxes and shipped by ground. If you hunt around on the UPS site you can find the labels that can be printed and taped to the box. It's been awhile since I looked for this, but I believe the term you want to search for is "ORM-D".

You can also just write ORM-D on with a permanent marker. The first one I shipped, I had cut out and re-used labels. The guy at the counter said they usually just write it on with a marker. There is no legal requirement for stickers...

Isn't there an increased charge for this?

brad cook

UPS may hit you with a Hazardous Materials charge, but I don't think it's a requirement. I dont' recall seeing such an additional charge on any bill I got when I ordered ammo from internet sites.

As long as the box is strong enough to hold the weight, taped securely and addressed, and you have the ORM-D sticker or written on the carton, that should be all you need. I have received ammo in plain unmarked boxes (not original manufacturer's boxes).

If you were shippng some other item and had to include a single box of ammo, I don't see how you would be forced to use a box that was printed as a ammo manufacturer's box

I have been shipping ammo for years at the local UPS customer counter without any problem. However, the last time I went to ship, they refused because the ammo was not in it's original labeled box. I argued with them about just needing the ORM-D label and the fact that they had taken my shipments before, but they still refused. They cited something about "heightened security" for not taking it.

I use UPS as little as possible. I deal with USPS for work all the time, and they're usually pretty helpful. With the exception of the McCormick, SC PO...their postmaster had to write me a letter of apology and got a reprimand on his record because he lied to me and made me pull a police officer off the street to set him straight That had nothing to do with ammo though. Ammo that I receive is usually UPS just because that's what Midway and Natchez use.

I thought the USPS wouldn't ship ammo?

brad cook

Here you go! I keep this handy for shipping ammo.

i ordered some ammo from centerfire last week, packed loose in plastic bags... ups didn't have a problem with them doing it...

Nope, I just threw together a PDF of the applicable standards that were posted on various threads and added an illustration to remind me of how it should look.

The one time I shipped ammo...

FedEx were serious, grade-A jerks about it. They ultimately insisted I couldn't do it.

The guy at the UPS store didn't even blink, no problem at all.

Seems like the thing to do is label it ORM-D and keep your mouth shut.

When I order reloads from Miwall, they are shipped loose in black plastic ammo cans inside a brown cardboard box. The only problem I have is my UPS carrier gives me a hard time about the heavy boxes. He wanted to know if I would consider a smaller caliber.

This article gives some insight into the best carrier for shipping ammunition by UPS, USPS or FedEx. http://www.adazonusa.com/howtoshipammunitionorammo-a-45.html The bottom line is that FedEx requires a “Shippers Declaration for Dangerous Goods” form, UPS will just take it with a ORM-D, Cartridges, Small Arms sticker, and USPS offices are all different, and most will not take it.

we got some good answers on how to ship ammo, but where can we ship it to.

are there any states that we shouldn't ship ammo to?

wireless said:

How do you guys ship ammunition? I haven't asked, but a sign at the local UPS counter states that they only ship ammo by contract. I don't believe US Mail will ship it either. Can someone tell me what if I am missing something? Which carrier will let private individuals ship ammo? Thanks!

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You -can- ship UPS, but you have to take it -to- the UPS hub, not one of the Kinkos, Office Max, Mail Box Etc storefronts.

It needs to be labeled ORM-D, small arms ammunition.

rshackleford said:

we got some good answers on how to ship ammo, but where can we ship it to.

are there any states that we shouldn't ship ammo to?

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Go to any of the on-line places that ship ammo (CTD, Sportsmans Guide, The Armory, etc) and see where they will not ship to. If they won't ship there, you probably shouldn't either.

I have a ups account and get pick up two times a day. Will ups pick up the ammo at my business? Or do I have to go to a physical hub?

vis said:

Senior Member



Join Date: 11-21-03
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 1,174
Here you go! I keep this handy for shipping ammo.
Attached Files How to ship ammunition.pdf (74.7 KB, 328 views)

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That is the wrong ORM-D marking. Ammunition cannot be shipped as a Consumer Commodity. It must ship as Cartridges Small Arms.

You shouldn't be having conversations about it at the UPS counter. You pack it very securetly in a box, put a ORM-D label on it (I print them off, cut out and tape it to a box) and print regular UPS ground label for it. The only time you should be discussing it is if they question you about it. If you start questioning they are likely not as familar with UPS's regulations on ammo and are likely just to refuse, etc, error on the side of caution.

speedracer211 said:

I have a ups account and get pick up two times a day. Will ups pick up the ammo at my business? Or do I have to go to a physical hub?

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They will pick it up, but it still needs to be properly labeled ORM-D.

As you are a regular UPS customer, check with them, they will be happy to assist you.

Can I just ship it in the original crate (w/ the proper ORM-D stickers)it came in (2160 rounds of 5.45 in a wooden crate screwed shut with steel bands) or do I have to put the crate in a box if I want them to pick it up at my house?

Doing some reading this afternoon

Well it made sense earlier... no I wasn't trying to stir up anything, just had an theory is all.