HAZMAT fee for online ammo?

[Callahan]

I tried to order some hard to get ammunition over the Internet recently. I finally found a company that had the caliber I was looking for so I went on about filling out the order.

When I got through, they totaled up the sale for me to authorize the charge to my credit card. I noticed there was a $25 "HAZMAT fee" added in.

What's up with that? Do the rest of you pay some sort of hazardous materials fee for online ammo? I canceled the order and sent them a question about it. Their response was UPS "made them do it." I told them thanks, but no thanks.

Now, I guess I have to find a local dealer for that ammunition. I can't see the point of ordering online if you are going to get hit with a huge upcharge.

["DoubleAction"]

Callahan; Georgia-Arms hazmat fee on UPS ground shipments is $12. per package; Next Day or 2nd day Air Shipments are $18., in addition to regular frieght charges. This is for Primers and Powders; You can call them for more information, or you can relocate to their area and deal with them in person ;D. Give them a call, they're real friendly. 1-800-624-6861

[Callahan]

That's in line with what they wanted to charge me -- $25 for two boxes, 20 cartridges in each box.

I'll call them, though I doubt they have .the caliber I'm looking for...

Meanwhile, I guess I'll check the Web site. I hear it's up again...thanks.

["DoubleAction"]

Callahan; They know their ammunition, and some from the company go on Safari big game outings.

[papercutter]

I thought it was only primers and powder, HAZMAT on loaded ammo sounds fishy ,,,,,,, they ship .22 ammo with just UPS charges , no hazmat .

[Callahan]

Papercutter: I don't think that site is reputable. Another Web site just charged a flat $3 on orders uncer $25. I notice they have now raised the price of one box of 20 cartridges from $15 to nearly $40. I suspect because it is hard to find. I don't know how many boxes they will sell at $65 apiece, but none to me!

DA: I called Georgia Arms. No dice.

[papercutter]

Sounds like some infomercial ,,,, only $29.95 ,,,,,,, $18.20 shipping & handling

[tptplayer]

Has the first question been answered here? Do you have to pay a HAZMAT fee for ammo? Or is this just charged for primers and powder bought seperately? I usually buy bulk ammo from Georgia Arms at a gun show but might not be able to this time around.

[papercutter]

The hazmat is on primers and powder, the two CAN'T BE in the same box. So its a volume thing and there is a Max limit, which I think has changed, seems like it was 10,000 primers and 32 lbs of powder (most dealers will post Max on the site or in the catalog) . So unless you load a lot or can split an order with some buddies, your better off paying the $3 - $5 more at the gun shop for 1000 primers.

Loaded ammo should be free of Hazmat charges.

[Callahan]

Thanks for that clarificaton, Papercutter. I finally found someone who had that ammo and they are shipping it UPS ground to me for $7.

[Arclightstrike]

I used to work in the shipping dept of a huge sporting goods distributorship (Jerry's), and there shouldn't be a HAZMAT fee on regular ammo. If it's something with an explosive projectile like the "bird bombs" (basically a 12 ga. round with an M-80 in it instead of shot, used for frightening birds off from airport runways, etc.) then they can apply a HAZMAT fee. Regular ammo is "ORM-D" (a type of consumer commodity) and can be shipped w/o any special fees, but generally must be signed for by an adult on delivery. Components, however, do get the HAZMAT fee (powders and primers, and as Papercutter correctly sez, they can't be in the same box).