Mailing Primed Brass??

[billybob44]

Please help me out! I am working a deal for brass and some of it is primed. I'm almost sure that I have seen where you can regular mail(Small Flat Rate Box) primed brass??
The Seller has heard that there must be a Haz-Mat charge through UPS/FedEx, for sending primed brass??
Can some of you "Legal Beagle's" help???

 

[wildlifeclyde]

I have been searching for an answer to this for a little while this evening on various places on the internet. Everyone seems to have an answer but not very many people can back it up. Since it seems to me the answer should be very simple to find and wasn't I thought I would post my findings.


I found this link to the US Postal Service.

http://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c3_016.htm

"Small Arms Ammunition. Ammunition is classified as a Division 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, or 1.4 explosive, depending on the degree of hazard. Ammunition that is regulated as a Class 1 explosive and designed to be fired from a pistol, revolver, rifle, or shotgun, as well as associated primers and blank cartridges (including those designed for tools) and propellant powder for use in any firearm, is prohibited from mailing."

"Associated primers" seems to be the kicker here. Spent casings in my book qualify as scrap metal, brass tubing, etc.


UPS seems to be the way to go, as I have found this information in several places for shipping ammo.

http://cartridgecollectors.org/shipping.htm

It looks like you just have to declare the package as ammo (I don't know why primed cases would be any different) by putting a label as such on the package. There is no haz-mat charge. I'll try to find out, when I talk to them tomorrow, where a link to the info is.


Has anyone else found anything different?

 

[Sport45]

To the best of my knowledge, primed cases and loaded ammo can be shipped with a ORM-D label. ORM = Other Regulated Material
Hazmat documantation and fees are not required for primed brass or loaded ammo, but are required for primers or powder.

 

[Glock20]

Primed brass cannot be shipped via USPS. FedEx or UPS only.

 

[Rafterman191]

I agree with Sport45.

 

[FROGO207]

Yes to the last three posts. It has to go with the ORM-D label on a common carrier, NOT USPS if it is primed. I asked at the local Post Office about this last summer. Might be cheaper to have the primers removed and get just the brass sent through USPS flat rate.

 

[NavyLCDR]

USPS is PROHIBITED:

http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/pubs/pub52.pdf

Page 131 about 8 lines down:

Cases, cartridge, empty with primer 1.4S UN0055 II Prohibited
Cases, cartridges, empty with primer 1.4C UN0379 II Prohibited

Here is the answer for UPS/FEDEX:

49 CFR 107.102

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/tex...v8&view=text&node=49:2.1.1.3.7.2.25.2&idno=49

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.

 

[billybob44]

USPS is PROHIBITED:

http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/pubs/pub52.pdf

Page 131 about 8 lines down:

Cases, cartridge, empty with primer 1.4S UN0055 II Prohibited
Cases, cartridges, empty with primer 1.4C UN0379 II Prohibited

Another excellent job by NavyLT==Thanks again..Bill.

 

[NavyLCDR]

I wasn't done! See the edited posting

 

[hans471]

If I ship ammo, its UPS. No hassle, no drama. I printed up some "ORM-D" stickers and place one on the box.

If the primers are in the casings, that is, installed in the brass: OK. If the primers are OUT of the casing, as in boxed in their original cases, NO-Go without Haz-mat charges.

So, if I wanted to ship you some brass with primers loaded, no extra fees compared to just sending brass. All I need is the ORM-D label. If I wanted to send the primers separately: Pay fee for Haz Mat.

 

[RhinoDefense]

You have to be a certified hazardous material shipper in order to ship haz mat. You cannot just pay a fee and be done with it. It doesn't work that way.

 

[medalguy]

No you do not. Individuals are not subject to the "EMPLOYEE" training and certification requirements of DOT.

 

[NavyLCDR]

If I ship ammo, its UPS. No hassle, no drama. I printed up some "ORM-D" stickers and place one on the box.

If the primers are in the casings, that is, installed in the brass: OK. If the primers are OUT of the casing, as in boxed in their original cases, NO-Go without Haz-mat charges.

So, if I wanted to ship you some brass with primers loaded, no extra fees compared to just sending brass. All I need is the ORM-D label. If I wanted to send the primers separately: Pay fee for Haz Mat.

Hans471,

You are correct in everything except 1 point. Primed brass does not even require the ORM-D label. See 49 CFR 107.142 quoted in post #7.

 

[RhinoDefense]

Yes they are. Read the CFR yourself, medalguy.

 

[JDGray]

I'm guilty of mailing primed brass, but it was maybe 20 cases in a box of 400 or so, plus there were bullets, dies, & whatever else I sold the guy. I keep looking over my shoulder, but no ones coming.

 

[Constrictor]

since they cant ship primers in a box, i would think they could not ship primers in a brass case.

 

[medalguy]

RhinoDefense, I was speaking to the original issue of shipping primed brass. You're correct in general about hazmat shipping of items that are genuinely hazardous. Primed brass is not and that was my intention to deal with that item only. Individuals may indeed ship primed brass but not legally defined hazardous materials such as powder and primers. I guess we are both correct.

 

[NavyLCDR]

since they cant ship primers in a box, i would think they could not ship primers in a brass case.

Did you read the CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) quoted in post #7? The indications are that you did not.

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/tex...v8&view=text&node=49:2.1.1.3.7.2.25.2&idno=49

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.

 

[BigBob3006]

billy bob,

I seem to remember that the Federal Prison System has rooms reserved for those who send any explosive through the U. S. Mails. Call the Post Office for confirmation. U.P.S. may handle them. Call to find out. Those few primers may end up to cost you more than you want too pay.

 

[Gadzooks Mike]

I've purchased primed shotgun hulls from Grafs and have not had to pay a hazmat fee. I don't remember how they were shipped, but I know it was not USPS. Either UPS or FedEx.