How do you ship powder?
- Thread starter Stevel
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Reloadron
Contributing Member
We don't. It's a pretty straight forward answer. You need a license to ship HAZMAT through UPS or FEDEX and an account with them.
Ron
By vehicle. Your vehicle. I have a friend that works in a gun store. I think he can ship powder for me if I wanted him to.
Thanks. That's what I thought, but wanted to check.
Howland937
Member
You could load it into fresh ammo, then ship the loaded ammo perfectly legally through UPS or FedEx.
Speedo66
Member
Same for primers. Load empty cases with primers and you can ship all the primers you want.
This is true. There are new rules that went into effect January 1 this year that did away with the ORM-D and relaxed the rules regarding limited quantity shipments. Google search for "Limited Quantity Exception" and you will find the labeling and volume limits. Additionally, these items can only be shipped via UPS and FedEx, and not via USPS.
Reloadron
Contributing Member
Which is likely a good thing if you have any hope of what you ship getting where it is going.
Ron
George P
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And if something goes sideways, say goodbye to your house, pension and 401K
Can you please explain why that would be?
Howland937
Member
Assuming the reference is in terms of someone selling reloaded ammunition and the liabilities involved, especially if they didn't have a license and insurance to do so.
Which is a given, but the OP only asked about shipping powder.
George P
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Exactly; the rpevious person said to load some ammo and ship ammo - which you CAN do - but is the risk worth it? No, it is not
Howland937
Member
Can't disagree...but if someone is really hard up for powder, they could always pull the bullets and send them back. Desperate times and all that. Which is why "could" was italicized.
George P
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You're generous- powders and primers? Not for sale; at least until I KNOW I can get replacements easily and at regular pricing.
Howland937
Member
In reality, that's your only option.
Reloadron
Contributing Member
That's what I did. Had a member drive from PA to me in Cleveland (about 130 miles). I sold 43 pounds of powder for $12 a pound. He was happy and I was happy. It was all still factory sealed and most of it was VihtaVuori. Strictly face to face and it worked out just fine.
Ron
No license and no insurance required per the ATF to expressly sell, assuming you are NOT doing so for profit or livelihood.
https://www.atf.gov/firearms/qa/person-who-reloads-ammunition-required-be-licensed-manufacturer
For those who don't wish to click on the link, here is the exact text:
Is a person who reloads ammunition required to be licensed as a manufacturer?
Yes, if the person engages in the business of selling or distributing reloads for the purpose of livelihood and profit.
No, if the person reloads only for personal use.
[18 U.S.C. 922(a) and 923(a); 27 CFR 478.41]
I will note that shipping ammo must be done through a common carrier as already stated (UPS or FedEx) and primers and powder must be shipped by a HazMat-certified person/entity. Getting HazMat-certified is cost-prohibitive for any individual (and realistically for any dealer/gun shop also).
I didn't mean to say I'm selling any, just saying if I were to, that's that only way I would. Too much risk and hassle to ship. However on that note, I have had no problems finding plenty of powder the past couple of months. I've added probably between 50-60 pounds to my stash. Primers on the other hand remain elusive. I've only managed to find 3,000 at normal retail. I would most certainly not consider selling any of my primers right now.
FROGO207
Member
I could theoretically powder fill a bunch of 50 BMG range brass with expended primers and a bullet to plug the neck and legally send it to somebody in despreate times. That is technically not manufacturing ammo.
Reloadron
Contributing Member
While I have no idea how well the legality of that would play out could BATFE make the argument that since the primers were spent that the cartridge cases were merely being used as a container for the powder? Someone would really need to be pretty desperate to go through all the hoops. I am just not sure that idea would fly.
Ron
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