Hazmat charge

[nmkid]

So, do shippers have to pay the hazmat charge to the government(?) every time they ship? Is that why they charge us every time we order powder/primers?

 

[1K6BRA]

I just happen to be working today and forgot I have my Pennsylvania manual in the truck with me. There are some of the numbers. Believe me there’s many more if you want to learn about it. I don’t know how it goes for these companies charging a hazmat fee, I don’t know who gets the money or why they need to charge it. I’m sure there are some Talking Heads and armchair generals figuring out how to make more money and create more bureaucracy. Just like Ronald Reagan said years ago, bureaucracy creates bureaucracy. I’m not an expert on this stuff. I’m just hauling a propane tanker down the road. Just don’t do anything stupid in front of me or behind me……please!

 

[Ranger188]

So, do shippers have to pay the hazmat charge to the government(?) every time they ship? Is that why they charge us every time we order powder/primers?

No.
To carry a "hazmat" the company has to be permitted by the government each year.
They have to "buy" the rights to do this. It's different between the freight and small package companies.
That's why it's up to each company on what they think it cost them for each package shipped.
There is no set amount they need to collect per pkg. and the same is true with the places
that sell to the consumer.
Places that sell a lot of hazmat items might get a reduced charge, just like their
shipping rates. The more you ship the cheaper your rates.
The places you order from do pay a bit more per pkg. for a hazmat item to the carrier.
In the end it's all up to the place you're buying from on what they charge for it.

 

[Just Say Moe]

Its a government regulation fee. How much of the price of any product or service is due to regulatory requirements? 25%? 50%? Its there, you just don't see it as a separate line item.

 

[jxb]

Yes, but no hazmat fee on 5000 pieces of loaded ammo...

Watch the "Sporting Ammunition and The Firefighter" video and you'll know why. It's pretty entertaining, some of the tests, especially the cat test. The smokeless powder video is good too.

Publications & Advisories - SAAMI

SAAMI publishes resources on various topics relating to the storage, use and transportation of firearms, ammunition and propellant. Firearm Safety Rules – Ten Commandments of Safety, Published in the Interest of Making and Keeping Shooting a Safe Sport. Informational Publications and Advisories...

saami.org

 

[Doom]

interesting in my opinion, that for years powder/primers, etc. needing hazmat have caused no direct reports of fire/explosions or at least not reported as such.
Yet in the last couple years explosions and fires have caused major damage/loss of ships, etc. by electric vehicle/batteries in shipments or storage. Do they require a hazmat, I do not believe so.

The issues is deeper than just explosion hazards. Fire and the powder behavior in a fire poses an additional hazard than normal fire sources. In the case or powder the amount of heat that can suddenly be released is the primary concern to both surroundings and firefighting personnel.

As for Lithium Ion batteries there are regulations. Newer technologies usually run ahead of regulations.

 

[jxb]

The issues is deeper than just explosion hazards. Fire and the powder behavior in a fire poses an additional hazard than normal fire sources. In the case or powder the amount of heat that can suddenly be released is the primary concern to both surroundings and firefighting personnel.

As for Lithium Ion batteries there are regulations. Newer technologies usually run ahead of regulations.

Actually if you watch the smokeless powder video from the link I posted above you'll see at the end that common combustibles are far more dangerous to firefighters and what's really eye opening is those are allowed to be stored in far greater quantities (4-25 times what powder is allowed to be).

 

[rardoin]

Well, one thing that just chaps my backside is that my previous favorite powder and primer retailer in the Valley that shall go unnamed has, since The Great COVID Shortage, only allowed purchase of 1000 primers or 8lb powder per customer per day and…..you guessed it…. Charges shipping and HAZMAT for each order. I used to order primers 5-10K at a time and 2-5 8lbs powder at a time and get one shipping and HAZMAT charge. I would now have to pay 5 shipping/ HAZMAT charges for five 1000 boxes of primers. They have permanently list my business. That is gouging.

 

[NorCalMikie]

If a company says NO HAZMAT, you know they're making enough $$$ to cover that cost. Ain't no such thing as a "free lunch". Somebody is paying!!

 

[Doom]

Actually if you watch the smokeless powder video from the link I posted above you'll see at the end that common combustibles are far more dangerous to firefighters and what's really eye opening is those are allowed to be stored in far greater quantities (4-25 times what powder is allowed to be).

The point of the test is not related to fire hazard but to explosive hazard. Your are correct that the other items pose a hazard. The fire hazard with SP is that in large quantities its combustion gives off an extreme amount of heat. Of note in the video the sudden combustion of the powder appears as a bright white flame that is much more intense than the yellow flame of the pallets.

By the way, the video is under Smokeless Powder and the Fire Service.

 

[tommeboy]

Brownells just had no hazmat and no min order amount. I ordered one lb of powder just because. If they can sell and ship 1lb of powder right now for a $7.99 shipping fee I am happy. Like I said, it is just another way the shipper to make money.

My local dealer tells me he does not ever pay hazmat. He says it is just for regular people to pay. He used to order in 1 lb of powder for me to try before I commit to a larger amount.

 

[BULLET 05]

So when does powder valley normally run a no hazmat fee or midway

 

[Chris Edmondson]

HazMat is off the rails; my bride requires me to pay her a hazmat fee every time I return from the garage shop and pass through her kitchen . It has something to do with the "unpleasant" odor of Tap Magic, Hoppes #9 and other fine masculine fragrances, I've gotta figure a way to get the charges pared down.

 

[Ranger188]

So when does powder valley normally run a no hazmat fee or midway

Midway is running a free hazmat charge right now..
For primers only.

 

[AGSHOOTER]

Hazmat Charge = Big Government = What they call Hidden Tax

 

[jxb]

So when does powder valley normally run a no hazmat fee or midway

Seems totally random for all places that do them. They are usually posted under "Reloading Components in Stock -- Running Topic", suggest doing a watch on that topic and you'll see when and where free hazmat and/or free shipping happens for places.

 

[Davers]

interesting in my opinion, that for years powder/primers, etc. needing hazmat have caused no direct reports of fire/explosions or at least not reported as such.
Yet in the last couple years explosions and fires have caused major damage/loss of ships, etc. by electric vehicle/batteries in shipments or storage. Do they require a hazmat, I do not believe so.

Also interesting is the fact that NO "Hazmat" charge is required for LOADED AMMUNITION. With loaded ammunition you have the powder and primer loaded in a case, and is shipped this way.

 

[Doom]

Also interesting is the fact that NO "Hazmat" charge is required for LOADED AMMUNITION. With loaded ammunition you have the powder and primer loaded in a case, and is shipped this way.

If you go to the SAAMI link that @jxb posted above you will see that loaded ammunition is pretty well inert and unlikely to ever cause a fire. Also when present in a fire the when the round cooks off the case doesn't present much of a pressure containment so that the powder doesn't reach a high pressure. It is interesting when you look at the physics of specific rounds. A 230 gr 45 ACP round (230gn vs 90gn) is going to launch the case and the bullet will hardly move due the the weight difference. In the case of a 40gr 223 the bullet will move further than the case (40gn vs ~95gn).

 

[BULLET 05]

Thanks for the info

Seems totally random for all places that do them. They are usually posted under "Reloading Components in Stock -- Running Topic", suggest doing a watch on that topic and you'll see when and where free hazmat and/or free shipping happens for places