I have 1K 308 projectiles in a factory bag want to sell and try to figure out what is the best way to ship. Small Flat Rate box is too small and Medium box costs more, then I saw USPS has Priority Flat Rate Padded/Bubbled Envelop, 9.5"x12.5", with no weight limit and will fit just fine. Has anyone shipped or received bullets in the Flat Rate Padded Envelop? I have not tried it before and don't know if USPS will accept it! Checked USPS website, can't see why not! I will need to put the bag of bullet in a stronger bag or sure.
Shipping bullets in USPS Flat Rate Padded Envelop?
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edwardware
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Two SFRB (Small Flat Rate Boxen) fit in a single FRPE (Flat Rate Padded Envelope), and ship for ~$0.25 more than a single SFRB.
Add (a lot) tape, and you're good. This is how most of my RMR orders have shown up.
A single FRPE is too weak to be useful. Doubling up FRPEs is enough to ship brass if you tape the living daylights out of it.
Add (a lot) tape, and you're good. This is how most of my RMR orders have shown up.
A single FRPE is too weak to be useful. Doubling up FRPEs is enough to ship brass if you tape the living daylights out of it.
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higgite
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That's how my RMR order showed up, too. But, I'll add that inside the completely taped over outer padded envelope of 1000 bullets were two smaller completely taped over padded envelopes. Inside each of the two smaller envelopes were 500 bullets in a heavy duty, heat sealed plastic bag. I lost count of how many layers that was, but I wore out a pocket knife cutting my way in.
edwardware
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Yeah, I think RMR's packing tape bill is impressive.
Ruger 15151
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If you ship in a flat rate padded envelope, you will have bullets falling out by the time it gets to your buyer. Flat rate is the only cost effective way to ship bullets but you wont be able to get 1k 308 bullets My into a small flat rate box like RMR uses. Having shipped bullets recently, I would recommend you place your factory sealed bag in at least one or more padded bags or even another heavier box and place them tightly packed in a medium flat rate box. Since the medium flat rate boxes are so flimsy, you will also need to completely tape the outside with heavy packing tape like RMR does to keep it from falling apart.
It seams like overkill but I promise if you don't pack them in multiple container, you will have loose bullets by the time they are delivered.
It seams like overkill but I promise if you don't pack them in multiple container, you will have loose bullets by the time they are delivered.
Coveter
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The above suggestions in regards to using 2 small flat rate boxes inside of the padded flat rate envelope with heavy duty tape is great advice, that's also how I received my RMR orders. To take it a step further, when I've shipped projectiles in the past I would use the USPS Tyvek bags, they are very durable and not prone to tearing or failing under pressure. I'd pack 500 in Tyvek per SFRB, sandwich those together in another Tyvek bag, then over pack into the padded envelope. Just my 2 cents, and dont forget insurance, even if it doesn't rupture or fall apart, leave it to USPS to lose it or deliver it to the wrong address but that's a whole other story based upon my recent experience with them, good luck!
The Post Office has restrictions on shipping lead. Their max., I believe, is an ounce. However, as long as the shipping container stays intact and goes first class, you are ok. Your are required to keep them inside by having enough "packing material" to keep them secure. There is not much they can do without a court order, unless they fall out. There are also restrictions on using a lot of tape. USPS generally knows what people are shipping and if you get caught, they can make it very difficult for you to ship in the future. Lately USPS has allowed extra filament tape on medium and large Priority boxes. Can u guess where I work?
edwardware
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Citation needed. Lead metal isn't listed on USPS's Haz Mat table.
Also, balderdash. RMR is shipping several tons of bullets a day, along with every other bullet supplier on the continent.
I'm going to guess the post office.
higgite
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McDonald's?
When I shipped stuff in regular paper flat rate envelop, my post office told me only allow 1 layer of tape to seal the flap, no other tape to wrap around the envelop; if the paper envelop can't hold the content, can't ship it. Tape over the plastic padded envelop is fine?
higgite
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It sounds like you ought to ask your local post office what is okay and what isn't. We don't know the rules, we just know our own anecdotal experiences.
SlowFuse
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I dont know every specific piece of postal service regulations, but I did work in distribution at my company for quite a while.
Tape definitely helps, but one of the main reasons something busts out of the packaging is movement. Sticking something heavy in one end of an oversized envelope with nothing to keep it from sliding to the other side.... Movement/Momentum inside will cause a package failure.
Tape definitely helps, but one of the main reasons something busts out of the packaging is movement. Sticking something heavy in one end of an oversized envelope with nothing to keep it from sliding to the other side.... Movement/Momentum inside will cause a package failure.
George P
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They were my guide when IO just shipped 675 45ACP bullets. 6 small flat rate boxes fit inside 1 medium box; every thing was taped and taped again.......
George P
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You obviously do not work at the USPS..........."if it fits, it ships" now has a weight limit of 70# since bullet makers were really making some boxes way too heavy for a carrier to safely handle. My box I just shipped (mentioned above) was ~25# ; a large flat rate box will hold 2 25# bags of lead shot easily enough. I get bullets from RMR and Everglades all the time in flat rate boxes and they definitely weigh more than 1 ounce.
I used to sell stuff on Amazon & eBay, and did a fair amount of other shipping. From my experience, you can ask at 3 different post offices and get 6 different answers. I guess it's more like "what's ok at this post office with this clerk"..
higgite
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That's why I said "ask your local post office".
JJFitch
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I ship bullets fairly regularly. If 1K .308's don't fit in a small box, definitely in the medium for a few dollars more. Use several layers of plastic bags and a lot of tape if shipping in envelope! Figure shipping in your sales price.
As far as my PO guy is concerned there is no restriction on "lead" projectiles, just weight!
Heavy plastic bags are great for shipping bullets. Be sure to put a few tiny perforations in the bags inside your shipping box or larger envelop to allow the air to release when at altitude ! I found out the hard way from a forum member, they explode!
Remember anything shipped is nothing but a challenge to postal workers to test our packing skills!
Smiles,
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Cannibul
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That's why I said "ask your local post office".
Or you can read the regulations online. Just because they work there doesn't mean they know everything.
Flip side, however, is just because it's in the regulations doesn't mean they'll accept it at the local PO.
Cannibul
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Guys do you ever READ what is written? USPS CAN'T DO ANYTHING TO STOP FIRST CLASS SHIPMENTS UNLESS THEY SPILL. Edwardare did you actually go down the chart to the letter "L" in the HAZ MAT table and look at the 20 listings for lead. USPS isn't going test the lead. They will say this looks like lead, now we demand you supply all information proving what you are shipping. It's called a declaration. For those who want to know what we are talking about: UPSP Publication 52 Hazardous Materials , HAZ MAT Table is the simplified version or in PUB 52 you can cross reference Appendex B at UN1470. BOTTOM LINE GUYS; the pro's know how to avoid problems by properly packaging their materials so they don't spill and DON'T get noticed.
Required Packaging
Primary Receptacle
Required Packaging
Primary Receptacle
- The primary container must be of sufficient strength and have a secure method of closure. (This means it is your responsibility to make sure the package holds together in shipment even if it rolls or tumbles while being shipped. Don't expect compliance by dropping stuff in a small box and praying it's going to get delivered in one piece.)
- Enough absorbent and cushioning material must surround the primary receptacle to prevent breakage and absorb all potential leakage.(This tells you how to package items.)
- Strong outer packaging that is capable of firmly and securely holding the primary receptacle and cushioning material is required.
- The inner receptacle and cushioning material must fit snugly within the outer packaging. (This means you will package it 3 times; your package, then cushioning material, then the proper Priority Box.)
- It's simple when you READ the information.
Comes down to how much effort you want to put into arguing the point if they disagree. Especially if it's the local postmaster who is the one disagreeing.
I've been there before. Sometimes it's simpler just to go to another PO.
I ship two bags of LEAD shot (50 pounds total) in a flat rate box with no problems and no restrictions regularly. Also get lead projectiles all the time via USPS, they do have restrictions and heavy fines if you get caught shipping loaded ammo though.
Bob
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