Shipping KNO3 legally??

3057 Views 15 Replies 11 Participants Last post by JasterMake, Jun 25, 2013

nilocg

Discussion Starter · Jan 5, 2011

Does anyone have any experience shipping KNO3 legally? I have some extra that I would like to sell, but I am unsure of how to do it. I know that I could just put it in a box and ship it without stating that it is KNO3, but I would like to do it without taking the chance.

What is the cheapest way, I talked to UPS and they said the most I could ship at once is an ounce without taking a class which costs $500+.

Let me know.

thanks

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

sewingalot

· #2 · Jan 5, 2011

The last time I received fertilizers, the post office opened the package. According to the paperwork attached, it was shipped improperly. When I called them about it, they referred me to this document: http://pe.usps.gov/text/pub52/pub52c3_008.htm

Hope this helps. It just confused me more.

nilocg

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 6, 2011

Thanks, read it too and am now completely unsure of what is legal. Anyone have first hand experience? I am looking to ship a half to a full pound of it. Let me know.

Thanks

nilocg

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jan 7, 2011

Does everyone just throw it in a bag and ship it? Anyone ever have any problems with doing it that way?

xmas_one

· #5 · Jan 7, 2011

Just ship it, you're making a big deal out of nothing..

tuffgong

· #6 · Jan 7, 2011

xmas_one said:
Just ship it, you're making a big deal out of nothing..

I agree. I see KNO3 for sale in the SnS all the time and have never seen any special shipping requirements listed.

chad320

· #7 · Jan 7, 2011

Mine come in a ziplock bag and looks like cocaine. Never had a problem with it.

alan j t

· #8 · Jan 7, 2011

double bag to be safe, thats all

Darkblade48

· #9 · Jan 8, 2011

Legally speaking, you probably need documentation to ship KNO3, as it is an oxidizer. There will be accompany Hazmat fees, procedures, documentation, etc.

However, nothing is stopping you from mailing it in a plastic bag, as already mentioned. If it does spill out though, you might get a knock on your door...

Dempsey

· #10 · Jan 8, 2011

nilocg said:
Does anyone have any experience shipping KNO3 legally? I have some extra that I would like to sell, but I am unsure of how to do it. I know that I could just put it in a box and ship it without stating that it is KNO3, but I would like to do it without taking the chance.

What is the cheapest way, I talked to UPS and they said the most I could ship at once is an ounce without taking a class which costs $500+.

Let me know.

thanks

Well... USPS says, if it fits in a flat rate box, it ships! :hihi: I really don't know the laws though... So don't go by me(or USPS commercials). Personally, I have mailed some to a buddy in NJ with no problems. I am In PA. Assuming that you have no criminal intent,..... IDK... That's a tough one... To tell you the truth, I have never even thought about that when shipping it! lol Maybe some of our sponsors can chim in?

sewingalot

· #11 · Jan 8, 2011

Darkblade48 said:
Legally speaking, you probably need documentation to ship KNO3, as it is an oxidizer. There will be accompany Hazmat fees, procedures, documentation, etc.

However, nothing is stopping you from mailing it in a plastic bag, as already mentioned. If it does spill out though, you might get a knock on your door...

I did get the knock at my door. Luckily, my mailman is very nice. :biggrin:

JasterMake

· #12 · Jun 25, 2013

I ship hazmat legally at work. Mainly acids, toxics and peroxides. I have taken the class and am legally required to take refresher courses every two years. I have never shipped kno3 but I can check on it tomorrow in the IATA hand book. That book tells you all you need to know, but like all legal procedures it can be a bit confusing.

Bottom line, if it spills and causes an accident, injury or fire, you in deep doo doo. There are exceptions to everything with weights and quantities, but as soon as you declare it prices go up. Give me a day and I can give you what is required or exceptions that may exist.

gSTiTcH

· #13 · Jun 25, 2013

Aquarium Fertilizers.com sent my order in a flat rate envelope with the products in tightly packed ziplock bags.

JasterMake

· #14 · Jun 25, 2013 (Edited)

Ammonium nitrate, UN2072
hazard code 5.1
Packing group 3

for the purpose of aquarium use can be considered a consumer commodity and shipped in limited quantities with the ORM-D and excepted markings. Please note that air shipments require additional paperwork but no additional packaging.

Information on how to do this properly can be found here.

http://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52apxc_016.htm#ep101464

Nilocg, the bag of gH booster (clear bag with gh booster) you sent me was of good quality. The only change you would need to make is to tape the ziplock the full length to "seal" it. This is the inner package. The outer package (USPS) package you used also might suffice if it will contain the contents if the inner package opens. It should not be able to leak out the corners. I don't remember how it was sealed. This will all make sense when you check out the link.

Also the ORM exception expires Dec 31, 2013. What happens after that hive no idea.

Summery. If it does not have ORM-D on the package or have hazmat paperwork it was not shipped properly.

It would be nice to have a second opinion. On this. Anyone else in hazmat?

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Hoppy

· #15 · Jun 25, 2013

KNO3 is not a hazardous chemical like NH4NO3 is. You can buy it in 50 pound bags at many hardware stores, but you sure can't buy NH4NO3 that way. It may be, and should be, that you need to package it so it doesn't leak out, but that is true of anything you ship.

Of course relying on me for legal advice is hazardous!

JasterMake

· #16 · Jun 25, 2013 (Edited)

Yea my bad. Ammonium nitrate is on my brain. As it is the baddy.

Potassium nitrate
UN1488
HC 5.1
PG 3

Same rules apply. Basically they are treated the same.

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