Mailing inert ordnance from US overseas

[weberoed]

This may be old news, but last week I was mailing 3 inert fuzes to the UK. I had done it several times in past, always put on custom form "inert collectible item free of explosives", never a problem. But my last mailing the post office clerk told me to wait a minute and he went in the back. came back with a Postal Officer who asked me what I was mailing? Since I had not had a previous problem I told him, 3 inert projectile fuzes. He then informed me I was breaking federal law. And presented me with he following: [h=3]136 Nonmailable Goods[/h][h=4]136.1 Dangerous Goods[/h]Except as provided in IMM 135, “dangerous goods” as defined by the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Model Regulations, are prohibited in outbound international mail, regardless of mail class. Some examples of dangerous goods include the following:

1. 
   [*=left]Explosives or explosive devices.
   [*=left]Flammable materials.
   1. 
      [*=left]Pyrophoric, flammable, or combustible liquids with a closed cup flash point below 200°F.
      [*=left]Flammable solids, including matches.
   
   [*=left]Oxidizers.
   [*=left]Corrosives, liquid or solid.
   [*=left]Compressed gases.
   1. 
      [*=left]Flammable.
      [*=left]Nonflammable with an absolute pressure exceeding 40 psi at 70°F or 104 psi at 130°F.
   
   [*=left]Poisons, irritants, controlled substances, and drug paraphernalia.
   [*=left]Magnetized material with a magnetic field strength of .002 gauss or more at a distance of 7 feet.
   [*=left]Dry ice (carbon dioxide solid).

Additional information on dangerous goods is available at www.unece.org/trans/danger/danger.html.
[h=4]136.2 Inert and Replica Explosive Devices[/h]The following types of inert or replica explosive devices are prohibited in outbound international mail:

1. 
   [*=left]Military ordnance, ammunition, and shells.
   [*=left]Grenades.
   [*=left]Similar devices that were originally designed for military or combative use (including training).

This prohibition does not extend to items such as children’s toys or articles that do not represent the above items in a realistic manner.
[h=4]136.3 Counterfeit and Pirated Items[/h]Any type of counterfeit or pirated article is prohibited in outbound international mail.
[h=4]136.4 Cigarettes and Smokeless Tobacco[/h]Cigarettes (including roll-your-own tobacco) and smokeless tobacco products as defined in Publication 52, part 471 are nonmailable when sent in outbound or inbound international mail. The exceptions for mailing under Publication 52, section 472.2 are not available for shipments of such products in international mail. This standard prevails regardless of any information to the contrary in the Individual Country Listings.


told him I was not aware and would not ship them. He took my name and info and told me to be more careful and to check federal regulations on shipping potentially hazardous items. But I asked him what if I was mailing to a location inside the US. So long as no hazardous materials, mailing in the US was OK. just some food for thought

 

[millsbomber]

Another nail in the coffin.

 

[Slick]

Kinda screws up the buy/sell/trade thing. I gave up on shipping those sorts of items after a couple of "incidences". Not worth the hassle. From the sounds of things, they were waiting for you if they were prepared with documentation.

 

[ozziammo]

Find yourselves a shipper that WILL transport these sort of items, they are only dangerous goods if they contain dangerous substances!
Another good reason to get out of the EU & UN!

 

[jonnyc]

"Military ordnance, ammunition, and shells."




So.................you can apparently send all the civilian/commercial ammo you want!

 

[Tony Williams]

"Military ordnance, ammunition, and shells."




So.................you can apparently send all the civilian/commercial ammo you want!

I have a suspicion that you wouldn't win with that line of argument.... :hmpf:

 

[weberoed]

and the fine was $10,000.00 per violation. I was extremely lucky that the postal officer and I had something in common, we were both Army EOD. Can't ship ammo as it is a hazardous material. Have to use UPS or Fedex for that

 

[917601]

and the fine was $10,000.00 per violation. I was extremely lucky that the postal officer and I had something in common, we were both Army EOD. Can't ship ammo as it is a hazardous material. Have to use UPS or Fedex for that

The rule of not shipping ammo by air seems ridiculous. A few weeks ago I flew to DFW to pick up a rifle. Returning I carried the rifle in the TSA compliant gun case ( 2 locks) and when I checked it as baggage the agent gave me a form to fill out stating the rifle was unloaded, I placed the form in the locked case. I asked if I could also check ammo in the case, she said yes as long as it was not loaded into the gun. I walked it over to TSA oversize luggage and I picked it up,at my destination. If I can ship ammo with my rifle on a commercial flight, why can't we ship ammo by air cargo? ( all the ammo I ship is by Fedex or UPS ground).What am I missing?