Where do you guys order primers or powder I'm gonna order some percussion caps and wondering if the 40 dollar hazmat fee is the norm. I know there's gonna be a hazmat fee but not sure if 40 is high or normal.
it's determined by volume and method of transport and set by federal regulation for interstate commerce in 49 CFR somewhere for DOT stuff (
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-171). there's 4 major parts: admin/processing, inspection, volatility, and volume/mass. about the only way to "save" is to be in the regular business of handling explosives (with a FEL, or a SOT endorsement on your current FFL, which i have) or be a manufacturer or receiver of explosive or hazardous materials in the due course of business where you pay a pro-rated flat fee each quarter or year. superfund sites also get some special rules. DOT has some fees if you need specific handling or chemical safety requirements too.
the alternative is burning vehicles, industrial hazardous waste spills from lack of training, packaging, or care when transporting, lack of safety devices, and downing aircraft or whatever from problems during shipment from poor or inadequate inspectors.
the good news is that there is a specific exemption for non-licensed persons for allowed materials for personal use (primers for example, or black powder or lithium batteries, various chemical solvents for marine/animal pen cleaning, et c) where the fee is per item/box/package rather than mass or volume.
with very rare exception, it should be between $20 and $50 per box depending on the item and other things. containerized batteries have a fixed fee of $1, $3, or $5 typically, and this is paid by the shipper, not the buyer.
