UPS Powder Shipping Restrictions

mark85304

mark85304

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UPS is placing shipping restrictions on gun powder (propellant) shipments such that a shipper is not allowed to send more than 100 pounds of powder to the same ZIP code each day. So, if 3 customer orders exceed 100 pounds to the same ZIP code, only two can be shipped that day. You've got to be kidding me!

This was confirmed as I just got off the phone with Natchez Shooter Supply checking on an order of powders I placed early this month.

Who got to UPS or was this always the case and only now being enforced because so much powder is being shipped these days?

Unfortunately, there are not many other shipping options. USPS will not ship it. FedEx? Maybe. I should see if I can use my FedEx account and and have Natchez ship FedEx on my account.
 
I've thought for several years that most of the sites like Natchez, Powder Valley, Midsouth, etc. would ship around 50 lbs of powder and primers in combo under one hazmat fee. Don't know about the 100 lbs.
 
[beeep] that's a LOT of powder!!

I've bought 32 lbs at once and the seller picked up the HazMat fees because of it.

Never that much though.
scared.gif
 
I'm guessing that this is a result of UPS not wanting to end up with over a certain amount of powder on one delivery truck. I would have to go back and check my Haz-mat books, but over a certain amount of different types of materials requires placards. And that gets to be a real pain in the butt.

I hope this is the reason, anyway.

To us folks who live out here in the sticks with only about 400 address's in zip code it won't be to tough. But for you folks that live in more urban zip codes it could prove to be a real pain.

It would seem that they could end up with a "back up" of packages with powder in them at their hubs.

I wonder if you can do pick up at the hub?
 
I am certainly not an authority on shipping regs, but I think the 100 pound thing has been around for awhile. I remember, about 18 months ago, talking to a surplus powder dealer who told me that they were limited in how much they could ship at one time.
 
Something kind of strange...I opened up my 49CFR and "Black Powder" (CFR's listing for any type of gunpowder) not only ships differently, but is a completely different hazard class when categorized for small arms than as granular. There is also an SP that applies to the small arms shipment. I wonder what the difference is?
 
Originally Posted By: zachvuSomething kind of strange...I opened up my 49CFR and "Black Powder" (CFR's listing for any type of gunpowder) not only ships differently, but is a completely different hazard class when categorized for small arms than as granular. There is also an SP that applies to the small arms shipment. I wonder what the difference is?

Wouldn't it be "powder, smokeless" and not Black Powder?
 
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Originally Posted By: DoubleUpI've thought for several years that most of the sites like Natchez, Powder Valley, Midsouth, etc. would ship around 50 lbs of powder and primers in combo under one hazmat fee. Don't know about the 100 lbs.
They have a 48lb limit as that usually 50lbs when packed in the boxes.
If you order more than 50lbs you get hit w/another hazmat fee since its shipped as another shipment.
 
Originally Posted By: jarheadhunterOriginally Posted By: zachvuSomething kind of strange...I opened up my 49CFR and "Black Powder" (CFR's listing for any type of gunpowder) not only ships differently, but is a completely different hazard class when categorized for small arms than as granular. There is also an SP that applies to the small arms shipment. I wonder what the difference is?

Wouldn't it be "powder, smokeless" and not Black Powder?

Sure enough! I wonder why "Gunpowder" redirects to black powder, but doesn't even mention "Powder, smokeless" Any ideas?
 
My smokeless gunpowder (propellant) arrived today in the big brown truck. I ordered a total of 24 pounds of powder. It was In Stock when ordered and the order was processed the following day. I got the shipping notice on 3/12/2013, arrived 4/4/2013. That is 24 days.
 
Originally Posted By: claimbusterI'm getting a delivery from Powder Valley next Monday of an order I placed on February 28. Just glad to get it.

Were you waiting that long because of shipping or was the powder backordered/not in stock when you ordered?

I am happy to get what I did (H-110, BL-c(2), and Longshot). Still looking for some others for .375 Win, 444 Marlin, and 45-70 Govt.
 
My 48lbs powder from PV order will be here end of this month. PV is 1 month behind, order today IF its in stock, ships in 30 days.
If its not listed as in stock & you try to order, it will be cancelled. Can only order "in stock" & NO backordering which is no big deal.
 
According to the latest CFR as of 4/10/13, there is only a notation on smokeless powder for small arms "less than 100 pounds", and this then lists the requirements for passenger aircraft/rail and air cargo, and ship.

It is forbidden on passenger air/rail, 15 pounds per box on cargo only aircraft and no limitations on ship or rail. There are also no limitations on a vehicle. If you had it, you could ship 50,000 pounds in the back of a truck as the CFR defines this item as "flammable solid 4.1, NA 3178".

These restrictions are created by UPS.

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=92fe6450ef5d93f8e37d4cb20cd93e76&rgn=div6&view=text&node=49:2.1.1.3.8.2&idno=49
 


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