Primers in checked luggage?

[tlawler]

My wife and I are planning a trip to the mountains up in the TN/NC border area. We are going to fly up to Chattanooga and rent a car to explore the area. Along the way, I plan on stopping at as many LGS as I come across in the hopes of finding primers in stock at not unreasonable prices. I've checked the TSA website and it's pretty vague about primers in checked baggage. I did a search here and only found a link to an article about an incident at an airport where improperly packaged primers exploded when handled roughly. In the article there are a couple of quotes that would lead one to believe that it is permissible, but I'm not sure if it's quoting an official source or not. Bottom line, does anyone know if it is allowed, and would you please post a link to the specific TSA instructions about it.

 

[jcelect]

Before you turn in the rental car, after you have found ALL your treasures, find a UPS store, have them pack all the items, and have them ship them home! Pay the Hazmat fees and be thankful they weren't confiscated at the airport! You won't be spending the night in the gray bar hotel! ! !
jcelect

 

[tlawler]

Before you turn in the rental car, after you have found ALL your treasures, find a UPS store, have them pack all the items, and have them ship them home! Pay the Hazmat fees and be thankful they weren't confiscated at the airport! You won't be spending the night in the gray bar hotel! ! !
jcelect

Thanks for the info. I've been looking over the UPS site for hazmat info. It looks like the cost is $27.50 per package, which isn't too bad, but how much of a hassle is it? Do they provide the forms to fill out and everything? I can't find anything specific to primers; are they classified the same as ammo?

 

[2152hq]

Unless things have changed at UPS,,you need a HazMat shipping license of some sort to ship powder and/or primers with UPS or FedEx.

No special license required for shipping loaded ammo. It must be declared and the package properly marked. But no HazMat charge.
(Unless that's changed too)

 

[jjfitch]

Primers are considered an like EXPLOSIVE DEVICES!

Do not attempt to ship/carry primers that DYNOMITE would not be allowed!

Your freedom, home, job and retirement savings will be at risk in attorney fees! You will want the $800 an hour guy!

Smiles,

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Primers are considered an EXPLOSIVE DEVICE!

Do not attempt to ship/carry primers that DYNOMITE would not be allowed!

Your freedom, home, job and retirement savings will be at risk in attorney fees! You will want the $800 an hour guy!

Smiles,

Saved me from writing exactly that! $1000/hour guy might even be better......whoever took Johnny Cochran's place!

 

[GaryHK]

Thanks for the info. I've been looking over the UPS site for hazmat info. It looks like the cost is $27.50 per package, which isn't too bad, but how much of a hassle is it? Do they provide the forms to fill out and everything? I can't find anything specific to primers; are they classified the same as ammo?

At the UPS store they will handle everything for you including providing the ORM-D labels.

 

[Dan Zulu]

To ship primers you must complete hazmat training, submit hazmat paperwork, use special packaging, and pay the hazmat fee.

 

[SW Gun Guy]

"Along the way, I plan on stopping at as many LGS as I come across in the hopes of finding primers in stock at not unreasonable prices."
1) Don't you mean as many LGS's as the wife will let me stop at.
2) Looks to me none of the above answers have given you a good alternative.
3) Find primers - chance is slim to none.
4) At a not unreasonable price - snowballs chance in hell.
But then, I don't know what the small town stores might be like in that area. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[jjfitch]

At the UPS store they will handle everything for you including providing the ORM-D labels.

Primers are classified different than powder. Trying to circumvent the licensing is a FEDERAL offense. You do not want a visit from the ATF!

 

[nbedford]

Get the right folks on a jury. "Hey, y'all! he actually found primers!

 

[truckerdave397]

If it was me I would start at the UPS store and work backwards. Know what the shipping issues are before you start shopping.

 

[tom2]

I doubt they would be a danger IF properly secured and in their original packaging. But the companies and gov't are particularly nit picky about putting potentially exploding or highly flammable items onto a plane. Just to be allowed to load known stuff that has a potential and is still transportable requires documentations and personnel that are certified. And the pilots get a list of what they are. Then again military planes fly every day chocked full of stuff from small up to the point of items that can vaporize a whole city, no sweat.

 

[S&WIowegan]

You also need to recognize that because TSA doesn't appear to prohibit primers on board Does Not mean any airline can't prohibit them. They can do so and probably would if you ask.

I suppose driving both ways is out of the question??

I was a an active competitor in my younger days in USPSA, ICORE and Steel Challenge and flew with guns and ammo in my luggage. I always declared and showed the guns and I can assure you that some agents are very helpful and others will try to tell you it's not permissable.

Good Luck

 

[jjfitch]

This!

If it was me I would start at the UPS store and work backwards. Know what the shipping issues are before you start shopping.

There is no debate! Shipping primers is a federal offense without the proper license!

Failure to declare or deception means intent to circumvent the law. Good luck with that!

 

[Marshal Too Sweet]

I live a few miles north of Knoxville, all I can say is good luck ! Reloading supplies are pretty scarce in the whole state.

Craig

 

[LittleCooner]

I am close to Chattanooga, and I can echo Marshal Too Sweet in saying good luck. I was in Huntsville two weeks ago and braved the CV 19 stuff and hit the Cabelas. In shock, no ammo and almost no reloading supplies. Local Academy had not one single round of any type of ammo and only two guns in the rack, where they usually have 50-100 guns. People are selling the cheap junk 22 ammo for 100-150 bucks a brick here. Enjoy the area. And do please post if you find any reloading stuff at 2019 prices because the car outside has a full tank of gas.

 

[jjfitch]

We're on the same page..

You also need to recognize that because TSA doesn't appear to prohibit primers on board Does Not mean any airline can't prohibit them. They can do so and probably would if you ask.

I suppose driving both ways is out of the question??

I was a an active competitor in my younger days in USPSA, ICORE and Steel Challenge and flew with guns and ammo in my luggage. I always declared and showed the guns and I can assure you that some agents are very helpful and others will try to tell you it's not permissable.
************************
I too traveled with the Sheriff's pistol team. Guns and loaded ammo are in a separate category.

Primers cannot be shipped without special licensing by the shippee and on file with the shipper!

Once again pissing off the ATF will be the OP's worst nightmare!
Or anyone else thinking it "might" be OK!

Good Luck

 

[mmaher94087]

"..the UPS store.." Don't use 'The Store'. Go to UPS directly. The Store has different rules as they are franchised.

 

[jjfitch]

"..the UPS store.." Don't use 'The Store'. Go to UPS directly. The Store has different rules as they are franchised.

Shipping primers is a Federal offense without the proper licensing! For the third time in this thread! I has nothing to do with UPS, FEDEX or any other shipper!

If you think they aren't serious!

Here's some examples of penalties that the DOT and FAA have handed down:

$53,550 Coty US NY two ounce bottles of perfume via FedEx
$70,000 Matarah Ind. Milwaukee, (Insect Repellent via UPS)
$51,000 MSC (2 boxes of WD-40)
$70,000 Penalty - Queen Nail and Beauty Products (PA ) (nail polish via UPS)
$60,000 Dreamworks SKG three butane lighters via FedEx
$51,000 Tristar San Antonio, Perfume via UPS

Probably not declared or intentionally deceived the shipper.

These products aren't primers but ......!

 

[b.guggenmos]

I got dinged at the carry on baggage check a couple years ago for bullets. A relative worked at Hornady for a time and had a bunch of boxes many different calibers of bullets. Free to me so I put several boxes in my carry on. No law against lead that I am aware of? Well the gate people were all looking at my bag, talking, pointing...then they asked me what they were. I said
bullets. NOT ammunition. Well after a very long talk they let me board only after removing all of my Hornady boxes from my luggage. I didn't have a lot of choice because I needed to board this plane to make a connection. Still makes me mad. They treated me like a criminal and were very vocal. A fellow traveler asked me if I was John Wick!

 

[tlawler]

Ok...I read you guys loud and clear: Not worth the expense and hassle to get the licensing and documentation to legally ship primers that I probably won't find anyway, and DEFINITELY not worth risking incarceration and fines (and revocation of my 2A rights) over shipping on the sly.

 

[ken158]

At the UPS store they will handle everything for you including providing the ORM-D labels.

ORM-D labels began a phase out in 2011 and are now as of 12/31/2020 not approved / permitted and any such labeled package will be returned to shipper. A label called Consumer Commodity which looks like two black triangles separated by a white bar are now the proper label for ammo, primers, powder, etc. Hazmat training certificate is still required to be approved shipper of any hazmat item.

 

[ken158]

"Along the way, I plan on stopping at as many LGS as I come across in the hopes of finding primers in stock at not unreasonable prices."
1) Don't you mean as many LGS's as the wife will let me stop at.
2) Looks to me none of the above answers have given you a good alternative.
3) Find primers - chance is slim to none.
4) At a not unreasonable price - snowballs chance in hell.
But then, I don't know what the small town stores might be like in that area. Good luck and keep us posted.

Wondering how you will find any stores where the locals are not experiencing the same shortages we are?

 

[jjfitch]

Small quantity ammo is different than PRIMERS and POWDER!

ORM-D labels began a phase out in 2011 and are now as of 12/31/2020 not approved and any such labeled package will be returned to shipper. A label called Consumer Commodity which looks like two black triangles separated by a white bar are now the proper label for ammo, primers, powder, etc. Hazmat training certificate is still required to be approved shipper of any hazmat item.

Two weeks ago I shipped 300 rounds of ammo (FEDEX hub) after declaring it and affixing the new label! Easy-Peasy for small quantity ammo. No extra charge!

Not so PRIMERS and POWDER! Still requires licensing and permits!

 

[tlawler]

Wondering how you will find any stores where the locals are not experiencing the same shortages we are?

I figured I might get lucky! There have been several posts in the reloading section over the past few months where people have happened upon in stock primers and limited to a couple of bricks each at normal prices, so it isn't out of the realm of possibility that it could happen. Will it? Probably not, but if it did, I wanted to be able to get them back home safely and legally.

Another possibility would be finding locals on armslist and other gun classifieds that would be willing to part with some of their stash and make a profit.

One last question: could I pay someone with the proper credentials to ship them for me. For instance, are FFL's able to ship hazmat as part of their business?

 

[reddog81]

Wondering how you will find any stores where the locals are not experiencing the same shortages we are?

I agree. It'd be easier to spend an hour calling all the stores in the area and have them laugh at you over the phone rather spending a couple hours driving around wasting time and gas to have them laugh at you in person.

 

[jjfitch]

This!

One last question: could I pay someone with the proper credentials to ship them for me. For instance, are FFL's able to ship hazmat as part of their business?
********************************
NOPE! The licensing is totally different. Unless they specialize in shipping powder and PRIMERS it is unlikely they will go through the expense and hassle required for the EXPLOSIVES LICENSING!

FIREARMS, HAZMAT and EXPLOSIVES shipping are totally different issues!

 

[tlawler]

I agree. It'd be easier to spend an hour calling all the stores in the area and have them laugh at you over the phone rather spending a couple hours driving around wasting time and gas to have them laugh at you in person.

Well, some people are finding them. Not saying I will too, but you never know. Good excuse to stop in several LGS's.

(picture gratuitously stolen from another recent thread)

 

[Loyaljeeper]

I live in Chattanooga. You will not find any primers.