US to UK Posting Components

[TattooedGun]

I've had a little peruse of the internet, and so far have come up short.

I'm looking to see if an export license would be necessary for sending Powder from the US to the UK.

the only phrase I've found anywhere about powder and shipping has been "The United States Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) classifies smokeless powder as a flammable solid. This allows shipping of smokeless powders by common carriers, such as UPS." Which is Interstate and doesn't do much by way of classifying it for International sending. I've also read bits about it being Hazmat, and other such things... but still have not found anything concrete as to the legality of sending it from US to UK.

I just got back from the states and was going to buy some bullets whilst out there, unforunately I left it too late to do any ordering and the only store in the area on the last day i was in town only had 1 lowly box of .224 69gr matchkings! needless to say I had them away, but was rather hoping for a larger haul of bullets.

My friend who i was stopping with offered that if he could help by getting stuff sent to him and forward it on himself, that he'd be more than willing to help, as he knows how screwed over we get over here.

So I'm just trying to find out if I could get an 8lb Tub of Varget (around £100) sent over in the mail... at a saving of nearly £30 per lb!?! its gotta be worth a look...

Likewise bullets, there seems to be a saving of about £40 per 500 on 2156's, so depending on the shipping cost, it could very well be worth it, especially as it would be a gift of him replenishing supplies he shot of mine*...

*"here are the components that I promised you after I used up yours previously!"

So anyone know where I/My friend would stand on shipping Powder? Maybe someone who knows about this thing, or someone who knows where to look in the law bits somewhere?

Thanks in Advance.

Range report from Scottsdale Gun Club still to write... bare with me :)

[saddler]

Powder = NOOOOO FERKIN CHANCE

Powder has to go by restricted carrier even WITHIN the UK!!
Why do you think the price we pay for powder here is so bad?
Apart from the added shipping costs - in some cases it has been known for a ship's captain to look at the cargo inventory and refuse to have the powder on his ship!!

[TattooedGun]

Powder = NOOOOO FERKIN CHANCE

Powder has to go by restricted carrier even WITHIN the UK!!
Why do you think the price we pay for powder here is so bad?
Apart from the added shipping costs - in some cases it has been known for a ship's captain to look at the cargo inventory and refuse to have the powder on his ship!!

Because someone along the way is wringing every last bit of cash out of our sport is why...

£12.50 per lb in America, of Hodgdon Varget at consumer prices, how much would it realistically cost to send a pallet across the ocean on a frieghtliner (so not even by air as its safer) Then on a specific courier service to the dealer... would it seriously cost around £25 per LB? somehow I have serious doubts :/

Still you've posted nothing about the law or implications of this... give me something to back it up and I'll give up...

[John MH]

The HAZMAT shipping is the issue, I doubt for a small quantity of powder its going to be worth it. Have a look ath the USPS website for guidance on posting hazardous materials.

The USPS list includes:
Perfumes
Nail polish
Flea collars or flea sprays
Aerosols
Bleach
Pool chemicals
Paints
Matches
Batteries
Fuels or gasoline
Airbags
Dry ice
Mercury thermometers
Cleaning supplies
Items previously containing fuel
Glues
Fireworks

[saddler]

The HAZMAT shipping is the issue, I doubt for a small quantity of powder its going to be worth it. Have a look ath the UPSP website for guidance on posting hazardous materials.

or even try USPS

[John MH]

Thanks, very useful. tesnews

Anything else to contribute?

Whilst I agree that privately posting/shipping from the USA is probably a non-starter have you anything useful to add?

[TattooedGun]

The HAZMAT shipping is the issue, I doubt for a small quantity of powder its going to be worth it. Have a look ath the USPS website for guidance on posting hazardous materials.

A saving of about £200 on one 8lb tub before shipping, that works out at about 17p cheaper per shot (.308)... Seem worth it now?

The USPS list includes:
Perfumes
Nail polish
Flea collars or flea sprays
Aerosols
Bleach
Pool chemicals
Paints
Matches
Batteries
Fuels or gasoline
Airbags
Dry ice
Mercury thermometers
Cleaning supplies
Items previously containing fuel
Glues
Fireworks

I don't see gunpowder on there, closest thing would be fuel, and its not really a fuel so much as a "flammable solid", and I don't see that you can't ship wood

[John MH]

Fireworks?

[saddler]

Still you've posted nothing about the law or implications of this... give me something to back it up and I'll give up...

My apologies - I never realised I was a salaried employee!!

Try reading this: http://www.hse.gov.uk/explosives/freque ... explosives

Just because WE want a thing to be diffferent does not mean that it will then be different.
You are not the first person to try to do this, and I doubt you'll be the last

THE LAW within the UK states that smokeless powder IS hazardous and cannot be sent by Royal Mail. It MUST go by a courier, normally TNT - so rough cost there is £25 per shipment.
Read THIS: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2009 ... tents/made

You'll possibly need and RCA/Pomster too - which is issued free from the HSE above

It looks like the legislation WILL allow you to do it - but good luck with the shipping costs!!
You'll find that the couriers and shipping companies will have a minimum fee for their space

You'll also run into the hurdle that you are allowed to keep a MAX of 15kg for personal use under UK law - thats JUST been increased from the previous 5kg limit

[saddler]

Thanks, very useful. tesnews

Anything else to contribute?

Whilst I agree that privately posting/shipping from the USA is probably a non-starter have you anything useful to add?

...yes - but if you read my previous post to THIS reply you'll see it took more than the 30 seconds yours did...

I did the correction to your post, as I know enough folk that WOULD have been looking under the spelling you put up!!