Hazmat fees

[tomf52]

Interesting observation. Cabela's and bullets.com both charge $20.00 hazmat fees. Most of the other vendors are charging $28.50. Guess they are skimming us for an additional $8.50, or is there an explanation for the difference I don't know about?

 

[John R]

I think they are just trying to make extra.

 

[Bekeart]

They may have NEGOTIATED a reduced rate with their shipper.

e.g. Amazon.com seems to pay a lower rate than I would have to pay.

Bekeart

 

[novalty]

I believe that if the vendor has an employee who has attended and been certified in a Hazmat handling approved class, they can charge the lower $20 rate. Assuming the cost of the certification is why most vendors don't do this.

 

[Engineer1911]

Added profit (period). The question is how much more will the buying public pay? Long, long ago in a distant galaxy the hazmat fee was $5.00 per order whether it came in one shipping box or five.

Got a tax refund and blew it on powder and primers, $14 powder per # and $65 primers per 5 M. Those were the days.

 

[Crabo]

What are the restrictions for an individual to ship powder? I found some powder in my BIL's city that will let me pay over the phone. I would like to have him pick up a bunch over the next month and then send it to me.

 

[chaparrito]

What are the restrictions for an individual to ship powder? I found some powder in my BIL's city that will let me pay over the phone. I would like to have him pick up a bunch over the next month and then send it to me.

Last I heard, only FedEx ground will take a declared shipment of powder and you have to take some sort of expensive online class with them first and also pay hazmat fees on each shipment. UPS won't take it and neither will the USPS. This may not be completely accurate.

 

[iouri]

What are the restrictions for an individual to ship powder? I found some powder in my BIL's city that will let me pay over the phone. I would like to have him pick up a bunch over the next month and then send it to me.

Realistically individual can't ship powder.

 

[btmonnat]

Just do not tell anyone and ship it. How will they know what is in the box? Is there something I should know or am I just dishonest?

 

[John R]

Just do not tell anyone and ship it. How will they know what is in the box? Is there something I should know or am I just dishonest?

If for some reason the package got damaged, you'd be caught.
Not sure what they could do to you, but it's probably not worth it.

 

[iouri]

Just do not tell anyone and ship it. How will they know what is in the box? Is there something I should know or am I just dishonest?

That's probably worst advice on this board. USPS lists powder as "Prohibited" for shipping; and from USPS general guideline:
The knowing deposit of such matter in the mail is a crime punishable by fine, imprisonment, and/or other penalty.

 

[Engineer1911]

USPS is not UPS, Federal government vs. private for profit corporation.

 

[reddog81]

Does anyone know where the Hazmat fees goes? I always assumed it was some sort of "tax" that the vendor did not keep.

 

[scooter123]

I expect the day will come when UPS and other shippers start installing "sniffers" in their depots. When that happens if what you noted to be in the contents turns out to be something completely different you'll probably get a visit from either the ATF, FBI, or DEA. I would also expect there would be some Federal Felony charges to deal with.

As for why I think this will happen, it's pretty simple. Criminals are currently shipping all kinds of nastiness and in the interest of National Security I expect we will see some Laws passed requiring "sniffers" and Felony charges for content violations.

As for what kinds of nastiness is probably being shipped right now. First, just about any legal or illegal drug you can think of. Second, chemicals and compounds that can be used to make bombs or explosives. Third, chemicals and compounds that can be used to make poison's from Sarin to Mustard Gas. One thing about the Net is that it disseminates information to a wide audience and that information can be either good or bad.

 

[btmonnat]

I apologize if I misled someone and I agree that was a poor statement to make.I was not saying I would do it. I was just saying you might not get caught. I have not ever been in trouble with the law. Actually I have only had 1 speeding ticket that's all. I myself would not take the chance. All I am saying is I bet it has been done.

 

[rwsmith]

Thanks for the tip....

That makes a big difference. I might have to look into it.

 

[X Ring]

Haz-Mat fees are not a tax. The government gets no part of them. They are a fee that is charged by the shipping company (NOT the shipper) to cover the extra paperwork and handling precautions. The shipping company is free to charge whatever they want or nothing at all. They are extra profit but for the trucking company and no one else.

 

[jag22]

A little off topic but useful info. If you order powder from Bass Pro they will deliver to the store of your choice for you to pick up in person. No shipping charge (maybe a $50 or $75 min purchase) or Hazmet fee. I happened to catch some Bullseye on their website and ordered 3 pounds, paid for powder only. In about 3 days they emailed me it had arrived. Needless to say I was quite pleased.

 

[FloridaFlier]

If you don't declare hazmat, it might get shipped by air. They sometimes do that when there is extra room on the plane or if the ground system is backed up for weather or a hundred other reasons.
If it gets discovered, whether or not it caused an incident or accident, you will certainly be arrested, and have to spend a lot more on a lawyer than the hazmat fees.
By the way, all the carriers have some methods of screening packages that they do not disclose to the public.
Don't do it. Don't even think about it. Don't suggest it in print.

Yes, I am a retired UPS pilot.

 

[tcook90]

A somewhat local dealer told me yesterday the fee is set to increase to $32.50 in May.