Shipping Ammo?

[Guyon]

Somebody give me the low down. I'm only talking about shipping 5 boxes of 9x18 ammo here.

UPS or FEDEX? Any special forms or declarations required? Any extra cost?

 

[DMK]

I'm not sure of FEDEX but for UPS:

- Ammunition must be packages seperate from any firearms

- It must be in a sturdy box. I usually reinforce the box by wrapping filliment tape around it in both directions and that satisfies them that it isn't going to break open.

- Must be sent via ground services (ie. no Second Day Air)

- Must be labeled ORM-D.

I usually cut off and save the stickers when I recieve ammo then tape these on. However, you may write ORM-D in block letters right on the package, then draw a rectangle around it. I have recieved many boxes of ammo where this was stamped also. It might not be a bad idea to write "Cartridges, Small Arms" under that.

I know UPS has a reference for this on their website, let me see if I can find it.


EDITED to change "Ammunition Small Arms" to "Cartridges, Small Arms".

 

[Graystar]

And don't forget to check state laws. Might have some, you might not. A few ammo dealers got in trouble with Mass for shipping ammo there.

 

[EOD Guy]

Here are the Department of Transportation regulations for shipping small arms ammunition:

Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49, Part 173

173.63 Packaging exceptions

(b) Cartridges, small arms, and cartridges power devices. (1) Cartridges, small arms and cartridges power devices (which are used to project fastening devices) which have been classed as a Division 1.4S explosive may be reclassed, offered for transportation, and transported as ORM-D material when packaged in accordance with paragraph (b)(2) of this section; such transportation is excepted from the requirements of subparts E (Labeling) and F (Placarding) of part 172 of this subchapter. Cartridges, small arms, and cartridges power devices that may be shipped as ORM-D material is limited to:

(i) Ammunition for rifle, pistol, or shotgun;
(ii) Ammunition with inert projectiles or blank ammunition;
(iii) Ammunition having no tear gas, incendiary, or detonating explosive projectiles;
(iv) Ammunition not exceeding 12.7 mm (50 caliber or 0.5 inch) for rifle or pistol, cartridges or 8 gauge for shotshells; and
(v) Cartridges power devices which are use to project fastening devices.

(2) Packaging for cartridges, small arms, and cartridges power devices as ORM-D material must be as follows:
(i) Ammunition must be packed in inside boxes, or in partitions which fit snugly in the outside packaging, or in metal clips;
(ii) Primers must be protected from accidental initiation;
(iii) Inside boxes, partitions or metal clips must be packed in securely-closed strong outside packagings;
(iv) Maximum gross weight is limited to 30 Kg (66 pounds) per package; and
(v) Cartridges, power devices which are used to project fastening devices and 22 caliber rim-fire cartridges may be packaged loose in strong outside packagings.

Part 172 (Marking)

172.316 Packagings containing material classed as ORM-D

(a) Each non-bulk packaging containing a material classed as ORM-D must be marked on at least one side or end with the ORM-D designation immediately following or below the proper shipping name of the material (Cartridges, Small Arms). The ORM designation must be placed within a rectangle that is approximately 6.3 mm (0.25 inches) larger on each side that the designation.

(b) The marking ORM-D is the certification by the person offering the packaging for transportation that the material is properly described, classed, packaged, marked and labeled (when appropriate) and in proper condition for transportation according to the applicable regulations of this subchapter.

 

[Guyon]

Many thanks fellas.

 

[Penforhire]

I had to go to a main UPS shipping center and STILL had to have them call their central hazmat office before they's let me ship 70 lbs of assorted cartridges in original boxes, all stuffed into ammo cans. They STILL would not take a 2 lb bottle of powder in its original plastic jar.

 

[DMK]

Thanks EOD Guy, I tried finding that info this morning and couldn't dig it up.

 

[EOD Guy]

I had to go to a main UPS shipping center and STILL had to have them call their central hazmat office before they's let me ship 70 lbs of assorted cartridges in original boxes, all stuffed into ammo cans. They STILL would not take a 2 lb bottle of powder in its original plastic jar.

That's because the powder was classed as a Division 41. flammable solid and, according to DOT regulations, you have to have a hazardous materials shipping paper. In order to sign a HAZMAT shipping paper, you have to trained and certified in accordance with 49CFR. Also, UPS should not have accepted the small arms ammo since it exceeded the maximum weight allowed for ORM-D (66 pounds).

 

[prisoner6]

What about shipping spent casings. Say if I had brass I was shipping to a friend that he was going to reload.

 

[Black Snowman]

Spent casings are just scrap brass and totally unregulated as I recall unless there are some weird laws I'm not aware of (which is quite possible, lots of stupid laws out there).

 

[DMK]

Here is an email that I recieved from UPS Customer Service

The section pertaining to ammunition is in bold type.

Contact the Hazardous Material Support Center at 1-800-554-9964 for details. When I called, they were very helpful and courtious.

From Customer Service Wed Oct 29 07:03:58 2003
From:"Customer Service" <[email protected]>
To: [removed]
Subject:UT20031028_0000005237 General Questions
Date:Wed, 29 Oct 2003 10:03:58 -0500


Please include the following line in all replies.
Email Reference Number: UT20031028_0000005237


Dear []:

Thank you for your inquiry. The following list explains who
can send and receive shipments of handguns or firearms through
UPS:
____________________________________________________________________________

Shipper
-Licensed Collectors

Consignee
-Licensed Collectors
-Licensed Gun dealer
-Gun Manufacturer (as a result of repair or adjustment only)
-Law Enforcement Agency (not a police officer at home)

Clarification: A police officer may be licensed to carry a handgun,
but is usually not a licensed dealer.
____________________________________________________________________________
___

Shipper
-Gun Manufacturer

Consignee
-Gun Manufacturer
-Licensed Gun Dealer
-Licensed Collector
-Individual (as a result of repair or adjustment only)
-Law Enforcement Agency (not a police officer at home)

Clarification: A police officer may be licensed to carry a handgun,
but is usually not a licensed dealer.
____________________________________________________________________________
___

Shipper
- Licensed Gun Dealer

Consignee
- Licensed Gun dealer
-Licensed Collector
-Gun Manufacturer (as a result of repair or adjustment only)
-Law Enforcement Agency (not a police officer at home)

Clarification: A police officer may be licensed to carry a handgun,
but is usually not a licensed dealer.
____________________________________________________________________________
___

Shipper
- Individual

Consignee
Gun Manufacturer (for repair or adjustment only) and from a person
not otherwise prohibited by Federal, State or local law to a
licensed importer, licensed manufacturer or licensed dealer for
the sole purpose of repair or customizing.
____________________________________________________________________________
___

Please note, the shipment of a firearm from an individual to
an individual is prohibited in the UPS system.

UPS will only accept handguns for shipment (from and to authorized
legal parties) via UPS Next Day Air services (Early A.M., Next
Day Air, or Next Day Air Saver).

Handguns cannot be shipped from the following:

One Time Pickup
On Call Pickup
Letter Centers
Internet Shipping
UPS Sonic Air
UPS Authorized Shipping Outlets (ASOs)

This UPS procedure change affects only handguns, not all firearms.
As a responsible corporate citizen, UPS wants to ensure that
handguns are transported as safely as possible by restricting
them to special handling methods within the UPS system. We intend
to continue serving our customers who lawfully ship handguns.

Other firearms, including shotguns, rifles, etc. can continue
to be shipped by authorized legal parties via One Time Pickup
service, On Call Pickup, and UPS Customer Counters.

Firearms will not be accepted for shipment from any Commercial
Counter and/or Authorized Shipping Outlet.

There cannot be anything written or printed on the package that
indicates the package contains a handgun or firearm. The shipper
cannot pack ammunition in the same shipping container as the
handgun. The shipper must segregate handgun shipments for the
driver. The shipper must apply the Adult Signature Required
label (21 years of age or older).

Antique firearms may be shipped via the UPS system, and are not
required to be shipped via UPS's Next Day Air service. An antique
firearm is a firearm that was manufactured in or before 1898,
or any replica, muzzle loading rifle, muzzle loading shotgun,
muzzle loading pistol, which are designed to use black powder
or a black powder substitute. An antique firearm cannot use fixed
ammunition and is not considered a handgun for the purposes of
determining the method the antique firearm may be shipped.


All common fireworks or fireworks devices suitable for use by
the public and designed primarily to produce visible effects
by combustion, and/or small devices designed to produce audible
effects are prohibited in the UPS system.

Ammunition:

UPS accepts domestic ground and air shipments of ammunition that
have been classified by the shipper as "Cartridges, small arms",
"ORM-D" (Other Regulated Material). The package must be properly
marked according to the requirements of Title 49 of the Code
of Federal Regulations (49 CFR). A Hazardous Materials Transportation
Contract may be required to ship such packages with UPS. Contact
the Hazardous Material Support Center at 1-800-554-9964 for details
on regulatory information.

BB Guns, Pellet Guns and Air Rifles are not considered firearms
and can be shipped with no additional restrictions. Please note,
UPS cannot ship a CO2 cartridge that may be part of an Air Rifle.

We hope this information is helpful. If we may assist you in
the future, please let us know.

Thank you for using UPS Internet Services.

Michele

In an effort to improve the service we provide through UPS.com,
you are invited to participate in a survey to help us evaluate
your overall experience when using UPS.com. Please visit the
following URL to access the survey:

http://www.ups.com/servlet/FormProc/cscemail/survey/cssurvey


> -----Original Message-----
> From: [email protected]
> Sent: 28 Oct 03 17:04
> To: [email protected]
>
> Who:Shipper
> Name: [removed]
> Email:[removed]
> Phone:[removed]
> TrackingNumber:
> Address1: [removed]
> City:[removed]
> State:North Carolina
> PostalCode:[removed]
> Country:USA
> Comments:Hello;
>
> I would like to inquire about the proper way to ship small arms
cartridges, ie. rifle or pistol ammunition via UPS.
>
> It is my understanding that according to Title 49 of the Code of Federal
Regulations (49CFR), the ammunition should be shipped separately from other
items, labeled with ORM-D surrounded by a rectangle and labeled "Cartridges,
Small Arms".
>
> Please inform me of any other special requirements determined by UPS.
>
> Thank you

 

[Larree]

Hazmat requirement

I was going to ship some ammo and I found the above information very helpful, but it needed to be updated. For one, you can not ship any ammo legally unless you are trained through an authorized HAZMAT training course.

The woman I spoke to suggested I have a dealer ship the ammo to the 2nd party. She said the FFL dealers should have this HAZMAT training and might be willing to ship my ammo for me.

 

[possom813]

I've got the paper from Fedex stating to label the box with

"Cartridges, Small Arms" and to write "ORM-D" and put a square around it.

This came from a man named Harold Brookes in the Fedex Hazardous shipping department(I guess that's what it's called)

He said that was all that was needed to ship live ammo, they will also ship long guns as long as it's going to an FFL.

 

[EOD Guy]

I was going to ship some ammo and I found the above information very helpful, but it needed to be updated. For one, you can not ship any ammo legally unless you are trained through an authorized HAZMAT training course.

The woman I spoke to suggested I have a dealer ship the ammo to the 2nd party. She said the FFL dealers should have this HAZMAT training and might be willing to ship my ammo for me.

Two things wrong here. First, DOT regulations require training for "HAZMAT employees" but there are no standards in the regulation other than general awareness and function specific training and there is no such thing as an "authorized HAZMAT training course". It's up to the employer to determine the level of training needed by the employee.

Most shipping locations don't press the training/certification requirement for ORM-D materials since they are exempt from most marking, labeling, packaging, and shipping papers requirements in the regulation.

Second, I think than few, if any FFL dealers have such training, unless they trained and certified themselves, which is allowed by the regulation.

 

[mrjkb]

Great article with all the details on shipping ammunition

Here is a great article on how to ship ammunition where these guys have done the research and show the best method to ship along with the Hazmat requirements. See it here on How to ship ammunition

 

[yooper_sjd]

EOD guy hit it straight on the head. I use to certify for military shipments. pretty technical stuff. But to get your cert, it is an annual certification course taught by the feds, and it cost several hundred dollars per year for the certification, let alone the cost of the publication which itself is a couple hundred dollars. That is why a company you buy your powder or ammo from charges so much for the HAZMAT fee. Just alot of paperwork, but you are certifing that it is properly packaged for shipment. If there is a misshap, they would know where to go.

p.s. the forms to filled out for shipment are in triplicate, one for your records, one for the shippers records, and goes with shipment. along with MSDS sheet, and emergency contact numbers. Plus the proper labeling for the hazard classes 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, and 1.5, Then you even got the compatibility groups for each Hazard class of explosives. a,b,c,d,e Use to be a whole lot simpler with the class A B C

 

[PlainsmanND]

shipping ammo

I get the mechanics and such on shipping the ammo. I want to sell a bit of ammo off on gunbroker. I plan to put in a few questions I want the buyer to send me, and then get a copy of their DL. Then I have reasonably done the diligence I think on the buyer.

The thing that worries me is some crazy local restriction or state law. How does a guy know of those? My thought was to call the buyers local sherrif's office and ask if there are restrictions on shipping the buyer the ammo. How do you guys do it?