HAZMAT Fee Oddity?

T

TITAN308

Moderator
Oddly enough, this is not really a "reloading" related topic;


So we know that a HAZMAT Fee of $29.99 on average applies to both primers and gunpowder shipments.

However, the market is now full of exploding targets - these can ship without restriction or extra fees. This is generally a jar with two components that can be mixed to cause them to explode when impacted.

What is ammo? Two components (primer + gunpowder) that are mixed (combined) together that explode when impacted?

Ammo supplies = fee, explosives = OK?

Anyone clarify to me what appears to completely bass ackwards? :confused:
 
The target part is not odd at all. Both gun powder and primers are hazardous items a by themselves.

"Exploding targets" are binary explosives. The components are completely inert until mixed. They are shipped unmixed and are not hazardous in the least.

The loaded ammo thing, yeah, I'm with you on that. It's odd.
 
Not to worry someone will notice and the hazmat fee will be added. It's just another way to get extra fee's and charges added on.
 
The loaded ammo thing, yeah, I'm with you on that. It's odd.
Click to expand...

The only thing I can think of is that loaded ammunition might be less susceptible to accidental discharge via rough handling than a package of primers, especially if there was once a time when primers weren't packaged so securely, with each primer in its own little "cell".
 
I would venture a guess that loaded ammo is excluded because lowered chance and severity of incident due to partitioning of the materials in question. The risk of a chain reaction, explosion or large fire is largely decreased by the partitioning.

Similar to the tannerite, sure the container could be smashed and some amount might be mixed in the requisite proportions then subjected to the requisite conditions for deflagration. But I would imagine that's as likely has one cartridge going off in a box of cartridges setting off the whole box. Even in that unlikely scenario the danger beyond fire danger seems relatively low. Sure, I wouldn't want to be standing next to a box of cartridges going off as small bits of brass being projected at me sounds unpleasant, but it's not going to explode or rapidly conflagrate as a container of powder or primers might.
 
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