HazMat Charge

[ReedG]

I think safety and prevention were the intent of the federal regulations, but like everything the government does it is of little avail, goes way overboard, and accomplishes little. The powder and primers I get on a regular basis from several suppliers are packaged no different or any safer than the non-"hazardous" materials. At most, their is a label or printing on the box identifying the contents but there is no further attempt at safety. It basically is an opportunity for shippers like UPS and FedEx to charge 100 times more than the paperwork actually costs them and to force their political beliefs on others. If I understand the regulations, the hazmat fees go to the shippers, not the sellers.

I also believe that at the outset of hazmat mania, the ownership of UPS was anti-gun and engineered the fees to "punish" people into not buying powder and primers. Labels or not, the delivery persons throw the boxes from one end of the van to the other and seem to be totally oblivious to what the contents are. I've never heard any horror stories of brown vans being burned to the ground or blown up because of smokeless powder or primers igniting. Imagine that the "safety" regulations allow and, actually, encourage putting primers and powder in the same package.

 

[LarryDScott]

Charging more money always makes things better and safer for everyone except the consumer !!!! Never let a good crisis go by w/o taking advantage of it. This is now the American way of doing business for far to many. Larry

 

[Taildrag15X]

I think safety and prevention were the intent of the federal regulations, but like everything the government does it is of little avail, goes way overboard, and accomplishes little. The powder and primers I get on a regular basis from several suppliers are packaged no different or any safer than the non-"hazardous" materials. At most, their is a label or printing on the box identifying the contents but there is no further attempt at safety. It basically is an opportunity for shippers like UPS and FedEx to charge 100 times more than the paperwork actually costs them and to force their political beliefs on others. If I understand the regulations, the hazmat fees go to the shippers, not the sellers.

I also believe that at the outset of hazmat mania, the ownership of UPS was anti-gun and engineered the fees to "punish" people into not buying powder and primers. Labels or not, the delivery persons throw the boxes from one end of the van to the other and seem to be totally oblivious to what the contents are. I've never heard any horror stories of brown vans being burned to the ground or blown up because of smokeless powder or primers igniting. Imagine that the "safety" regulations allow and, actually, encourage putting primers and powder in the same package.

I've repaired the damage inside a UPS international sort center from the explosion and fire that was caused by primers and areosol cans of paint being shipped together in non approved, non HAZMAT cardboard box.

There is a danger when some do not use the correct packaging.

 

[243Mendoza]

I've repaired the damage inside a UPS international sort center from the explosion and fire that was caused by primers and areosol cans of paint being shipped together in non approved, non HAZMAT cardboard box.

There is a danger when some do not use the correct packaging.

The UPS people must have been throwing those boxes with much more than their usual enthusiasm to setoff packaged primers or stack them a little carelessly?

 

[Taildrag15X]

I've repaired the damage inside a UPS international sort center from the explosion and fire that was caused by primers and areosol cans of paint being shipped together in non approved, non HAZMAT cardboard box.

There is a danger when some do not use the correct packaging.

The UPS people must have been throwing those boxes with much more than their usual enthusiasm to setoff packaged primers or stack them a little carelessly?

No one on the belt where they let go, off the truck via Extendo, through the "in" scan, dropped 5" and made a left, up MS-1, down a chute to MS-4 and the sorters heard a ""awhoof" sound and then there was a fire on the main sort isle of 8 belts.

The shipped package contained (per the Fire Insp.) loose cartridge primers, not in a required container or packaging and 3 cans of aerosol spray paint with no packing material to secure the cans. The paint can cap or caps came off, and either had leaked or sprayed the contents into the box, and contact between the can or cans and loose primers started the ignition process.

 

[Larryh128]

That's not the effects of de-regulation. That is the effect of GOVERNMENT REGULATION. Powder Valley etc does not come up with a hazardous charge on their own. That charge comes from UPS & Fed EX BECAUSE the FEDS make them do it. All Haz Mat boxes need a haz mat sticker etc and shippers are required to check the box in the shipping computer that declares that they are shipping products that could blow up if not handled correctly. As of 2-10 the fee was $25 but it probably has increased to the $27.50 as noted earlier. Google UPS Haz Mat Fees & all the regulations etc will pop up.

 

[apakesha]

Correct me if I am wrong but didn't the Hazmat fee come around just after 9-11? Doesn't it have something to do with Homeland Security?
Mike

 

[Taildrag15X]

Correct me if I am wrong but didn't the Hazmat fee come around just after 9-11? Doesn't it have something to do with Homeland Security?
Mike

HAZ MAT was just called "Dangerous Good" when the DOT was better know as the ICC (prior to 1994 I think, at least back when I had a Class 1), so it's not a new thing, and it's not just powder and primers, it's anything that can harm people, other living organisms, property, or the environment that is shipped via Road, Air or Rail.

I do think that the DOT got some funding from the 911 generated Patriot Act, like any Government Agency that could.

 

[Larryh128]

Tailgrag is correct, Haz Mat has been around a long time.