Shipping ammo/primed brass

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7.62 Nato

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I need to ship some loaded ammo. Can it be shipped flat rate USPS ? If not , what are my options ? I've only been on the receiving end of ammo shipment and they were marked ORM-D. Would shipping primed brass have the same restrictions ?

Thank in advance
 
NO

No ammo shipments, or primers, or powder, shipped USPS.

UPS or FedEx ground only, marked as ORM-D, small arms cartridges.
 
Did you ever receive any through the USPS or did it all come by a carrier like United Postal Service? The USPS doesn't permit you to mail ammunition or primed cases.

341.22 Mailable Explosives

The following specific types of explosives may be mailed only when the applicable conditions are met. Full responsibility rests with the mailer to comply with Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) regulations before mailing.

Toy Propellant Devices. The proper shipping name for a toy propellant device is “model rocket motor” or “igniters.” A toy propellant device assigned UN0454 or NA0323 and classed as a Division 1.4S explosive is eligible for mailing in domestic mail via surface transportation only when prior written permission has been obtained from the Manager, Mailing Standards, USPS Headquarters, Washington, DC. A device approved for mailing is subject to the following conditions:
Each device must be ignitable by electrical means only; contain no more than 30 g (1.07 oz) of propellant; and produce less than 80 newton seconds of total impulse with thrust duration not less than 0.050 second.
Each device must be constructed so that all chemical ingredients are preloaded into a cylindrical paper or similarly constructed nonmetallic tube that does not fragment into sharp, hard pieces; must be designed so that it will not burst under normal conditions of use; must be incapable of spontaneous ignition under 500° F; and must not contain any type of explosive or pyrotechnic warhead other than a small, activation–charge, parachute–recovery system.
Each mailpiece containing approved devices must be prepared for mailing following Packaging Instruction 1A in Appendix C. A shipper’s declaration for dangerous goods is required.
Safety Fuses (UN0105). Safety fuses consist of a core of black powder over–spun with yarns, waterproofing compounds, and/or tapes. Safety fuses assigned UN0105 as a Division 1.4S explosive may be mailed in domestic mail via surface transportation only when prior written approval has been granted by the Manager, Mailing Standards, USPS Headquarters, Washington, DC. Mailable safety fuses must be prepared using Packaging Instruction 1B in Appendix C. A shipper’s declaration for dangerous goods is required.

Note: “Safety Fuses” are not to be confused with “fusees.” Fusees are rail and highway distress signals that are nonmailable Class 4 flammable solids.
Shotgun Hulls, Empty Casings, Nonmetallic Shotgun Hulls, or Casings Without Primers. These articles are not classified as explosives or hazardous materials under 49 CFR and, therefore, are mailable subject to the applicable mailing rules (see 227).
 
Heads up on the little 'pack & ship' locations; they typically do not handle ammo or firearms. I either drop off at my local UPS hub or call for pickup.
 
The primed brass can be shipped via UPS as unregulated material. It is excepted from DOT regulation in domestic highway shipments. Even though primed brass is not regulated, it is specifically listed as non-mailable in the Domestic Mail Manual.
 
All correct. Just for information:

Fired/new brass can be mailed USPS or shipped UPS/Fedex ground or air.
Primed brass can be shipped UPS/Fedex ground unrestricted.
Primed brass can be shipped UPS/Fedex ground marked "ORM-D"
Loaded ammo can be shipped UPS/Fedex ground marked "ORM-D Small Arms Ammunition"
Powder and primers can be shipped UPS/Fedex ground with HAZMAT endorsement and extra fees.

That about covers it.
 
medalguy said:
Primed brass can be shipped UPS/Fedex ground marked "ORM-D"

No. If you choose not to take advantage of the special provision, primed brass would be shipped as a Division 1.4S explosive material.
 
I have received primed brass from a couple of suppliers and it was ORM-D. However further checking does indicate primed brass is in the same classification as ball ammunition which just seems really odd that it would be shippable as unregulated material. Makes about as much sense as most gun laws. :confused:
 
medalguy said:
I have received primed brass from a couple of suppliers and it was ORM-D. However further checking does indicate primed brass is in the same classification as ball ammunition which just seems really odd that it would be shippable as unregulated material. Makes about as much sense as most gun laws.

If a supplier shipped primed brass as ORM-D, they were in violation of DOT Hazardous Materials regulations. They cannot be shipped as ORM-D because there is no excepted packaging authorized for primed brass.

Here is the applicable entry in the Hazardous Materials Table in 49CFR for primed brass:

Cases, cartridge, empty with primer
1.4S
UN0055
II
1.4S
50

The first line is the Proper Shipping Name under which the brass should be shipped.
The second line is the hazard class/division for the material. 1.4S is an explosive material.
The third line is the UN ID Number.
The fourth line is the label required to be on the package containing the material.
The fifth line is a special provision for the material.

Here is the text of Special Provision 50:

50. Cases, cartridge, empty with primer which are made of metallic or plastic casings and meeting the classification criteria of Division 1.4 are not regulated for domestic transportation.
 
So let me see if I understand this. Primed brass can be shipped as class 1.4S, which is an explosive material. However, if you ship it as ORM-D which is the same as loaded ball ammunition you are in violation of federal law. If you ship this material already classified as explosive material as unregulated material, you're fine. Right?

I wonder if the guys who wrote this regulation also wrote the NFA regs? :cuss:
 
don't feel bad,i went to fedex store today to ship 2 03a3 receivers to a dealer in colorado.told lady what it was ,showed ffl card,no prob.went back later that day to ship some guns for warranty service,she told me she saw my ffl,i needed to show her the receivers ffl.i told her politely she was an idiot,and will go back to usps.
 
medal guy,

I've been working with Federal and State regulations for over 30 years and one of the first things I learned was that logic and common sense will only get you in trouble when trying to interpret the regs.

Loaded ball ammunition is also classed as a division 1.4S explosive, but there is a packaging exception that allows amounts under 30 kilograms (66 Pounds) to be shipped as ORM-D in domestic transportation. That packaging exception does not extend to primed brass.

The BATF firearms regs are clearly written when compared to the DOT Hazmat regs.
 
Last edited:
oneounceload said:
UPS or FedEx ground only, marked as ORM-D, small arms cartridges.

NO, leave OFF the "small arms cartridges"

All it needs to say is the ORM-D designation

If you are shipping loaded ammunition, you must mark the proper shipping name (Cartridges, Small Arms) on the package in addition to the ORM-D marking. If you don't, you will be in violation of the DOT Hazardous Materials Regulations.

(Yes, ORM-D is considered a hazardous material)
 
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