HAZ-MAT fee

polska · April 18, 2010, 05:20 AM

This may be a dumb question ,but why do we have to pay extra for powder and primers.As far as I see the packages come in the same BBT. They are just thrown around the back like every other package in there and dumped on your step. So what are we paying for?

Scrapperz · April 18, 2010, 05:27 AM

It's like a Tax IMO.

Sport45 · April 18, 2010, 05:53 AM

Your paying for insurance against a very large fine. Actually the shipper is paying to avoid the fine and passing the cost on to you.

Hazmat items are supposed to be packed better to survive the throwing around. There are standards for shipping containers, etc.

edited to add link to UPS packaging requirements

Ed_ · April 18, 2010, 06:03 AM

Good question: I found the below on the UPS.com website. Apparently its all about the paper work / red tape. Red Tape means PITA and time wasted. Time is money.

UPS accepts hazardous materials on a contract basis only. This contract stipulates that customers must computer generate the UPS Hazardous Materials Shipping Paper or Shipper's Declaration

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) enacts and enforces all hazardous materials transportation law in the United States. It has jurisdiction over all interstate, intrastate, and foreign transportation of hazardous materials on aircraft, railcars, vessels, and highway carriers and shippers in the United States. 49 CFR may be purchased from the Government Printing Office, local Government bookstores, or hazardous materials supply dealers

ligonierbill · April 18, 2010, 08:12 AM

If you are bored and have a week to kill some time, sign up for the DOT Basic Shippers course. Basically, a company shipping anything designated as hazardous has to have staff trained in the process. The paper work is audited, and a mistake made months ago could get you a fine today (real example--guy forgot to check the box for "underlying hazardous constituents"). The only upside is that it's a good job skill! You would be surprised at what we pay qualified shippers in our business. Now, we ship nastier stuff than powder and primers, but it's all the same to the DOT and State regulators.

medalguy · April 18, 2010, 03:19 PM

The materials are not really separated in shipping but there is a higher risk and the company has to insure against that risk, insurance = higher cost. Plus all the DOT paperwork that must be generated, shipping manifest to accompany the shipment, extra handling on the part of the delivering driver, and so forth.

Botton line is extra hassle and extra cost for the shipper which means we must pay for it. Kinda like the VAT being propsed, remember Obama said your taxes will not go up one dime, just a value added tax on everything we buy, sell, or use. If you don't think all these costs are not passed on to the consumer you live in a make-believe world.

April 18, 2010, 05:20 AM	#1
polska Member Join Date: February 3, 2010 Posts: 55	HAZ-MAT fee This may be a dumb question ,but why do we have to pay extra for powder and primers.As far as I see the packages come in the same BBT. They are just thrown around the back like every other package in there and dumped on your step. So what are we paying for?

April 18, 2010, 05:53 AM	#3
Sport45 Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 1999 Location: Too close to Houston Posts: 4,196	Your paying for insurance against a very large fine. Actually the shipper is paying to avoid the fine and passing the cost on to you. Hazmat items are supposed to be packed better to survive the throwing around. There are standards for shipping containers, etc. edited to add link to UPS packaging requirements __________________ Proud member of the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association. Registered and active voter. Last edited by Sport45; April 18, 2010 at 09:28 AM.

April 18, 2010, 06:03 AM	#4
Ed_ Member Join Date: January 27, 2009 Location: Southwest Missouri Posts: 96	Good question: I found the below on the UPS.com website. Apparently its all about the paper work / red tape. Red Tape means PITA and time wasted. Time is money. UPS accepts hazardous materials on a contract basis only. This contract stipulates that customers must computer generate the UPS Hazardous Materials Shipping Paper or Shipper's Declaration The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) enacts and enforces all hazardous materials transportation law in the United States. It has jurisdiction over all interstate, intrastate, and foreign transportation of hazardous materials on aircraft, railcars, vessels, and highway carriers and shippers in the United States. 49 CFR may be purchased from the Government Printing Office, local Government bookstores, or hazardous materials supply dealers

April 18, 2010, 08:12 AM	#5
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,457	If you are bored and have a week to kill some time, sign up for the DOT Basic Shippers course. Basically, a company shipping anything designated as hazardous has to have staff trained in the process. The paper work is audited, and a mistake made months ago could get you a fine today (real example--guy forgot to check the box for "underlying hazardous constituents"). The only upside is that it's a good job skill! You would be surprised at what we pay qualified shippers in our business. Now, we ship nastier stuff than powder and primers, but it's all the same to the DOT and State regulators.

April 18, 2010, 03:19 PM	#6
medalguy Senior Member Join Date: August 31, 2009 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,033	The materials are not really separated in shipping but there is a higher risk and the company has to insure against that risk, insurance = higher cost. Plus all the DOT paperwork that must be generated, shipping manifest to accompany the shipment, extra handling on the part of the delivering driver, and so forth. Botton line is extra hassle and extra cost for the shipper which means we must pay for it. Kinda like the VAT being propsed, remember Obama said your taxes will not go up one dime, just a value added tax on everything we buy, sell, or use. If you don't think all these costs are not passed on to the consumer you live in a make-believe world.