Originally posted by shreadvector
Anything incorrect with this link that we've been pointing to for a very long time?
https://www.nar.org/pdf/shipping_rocket_motors.pdf
Fred
That's a fine link, but has a bit more information than most folks will remember.
As a certified HAZMAT shipper, I think I can state it very clearly.
1.) The USPS will accept small sport rocket motors for shipment by individuals, but only under certain limited conditions.
First, they will accept only motors that are classified 1.4S/NA0323 (30 grams or less of propellant), and that are packaged and marked appropriately (see below).
Second, the shipper must present to their Postmaster a "Letter of Authorization" addressed to them personally from the USPS Manager of Mail Preparations and Standards (475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC 20260), which authorizes them to enter these motors into the U.S. Mail. Getting such a letter requires 30-60 days, and requires the consumer to provide specific information about the motors that he plans to ship, including a dimensioned drawing and a Material Safety Data Sheet for each motor type. Once it is issued, the letter of authorization is valid only for 1 year.
USPS requirements for shipping small rocket motors are that the motors be in individual sealed packaging, well-cushioned from shock inside an outer package; that the outer package be strong and securely sealed fiberboard, no more than 25 pounds in weight; and that the package be marked "Toy Propellant Devices, Handle With Care" and "Surface Mail Only" with no HAZMAT labels. The Surface Mail requirement means that the motors must be shipped by Parcel Post only, not by Priority Mail or Express Mail.
Any attempt to get around this procedure is illegal. Period. An individual without a hazardous materials shipping certification and/or an explosives license can't legally ship single use rocket motors or reloadable rocket motors with individual fuel grains weighing more than 30 grams. Period. End of Story. A stiff fine is certain, and jail time is likely if you get caught violating the law. It's not worth the risk.
2.) A business with a Hazardous Shipping account can ship rocket motors containing not more than 62.5 grams of propellant, and propellant grains with not more than 62.5 grams of propellant by UPS Ground, FED EX Ground, or common carrier as a fully regulated hardardous material, unless the person is entitled to use a manufacturer's exemption (which only reduces the documentation and packaging requirements). All shipping must be in UN approved packaging, and be properly marked, and documented in compliance with DOT and/or UN regulations, and are subject to a hazardous material handling fee over and above standard shipping charges.
Shipping any motor or fuel grain with more than 62.5 grams of propellant requires an explosives permit and a hazardous shipping certification. The shipment must be by common carrier. Everything must be properly packaged, documented, labeled and logged according to BATFE and DOT regulations.
The government is very serious about enforcing the laws on hazardous material shipments. If you are caught, and the odds are pretty good that you will be, the DOT fine for failing to disclose a hazardous shipment is typically $25,000 per incident! (This includes anything marked flamable such as paint, certain glues, matches, etc. so be warned.) Misspelling, mislabeling, improper packing or documentation errors result in a minimum DOT fine of $750 per mistake! Since the carrier is fined as well as the business, the carrier also checks the documentation, labeling and packaging. If you make a mistake, and it is detected before the carrier accepts it, you get a warning and the package is returned. If the mistake is detected by the carrier after it has been accepted, you are warned, the package is destroyed, and you are billed for the disposal costs. If you make 3 mistakes in a reporting period, you loose your hazmat shipping certification. Furthermore it is highly probable that shipping explosives without a license will get you jail time today.
Bob