Some cool info on shipping tanks in priority mail

matteusz · 05-08-2008, 03:32 PM

So I called the post office and then the other post office and then had a lengthy conversation with a postmaster about mailing regulations.

What it boils down to is this. If you can show that what you are shipping is not dangerous, has not had dangerous stuff in it, and can not be pressurized in shipping (i.e. you have removed a burst disk) you can ship it via air mail or priority mailing methods. Best thing to do is take the open package to the post office counter show it to the clerk, seal it up and then ship it.

Just thought I would pass that along. Any input?
Mat

Frink · 05-08-2008, 03:35 PM

I don't understand why showing it to the clerk at the post office would make any difference. They wouldn't treat the package any differently than if they never knew what was inside? And as long as it's not going across the boarder it should definitely not be opened.

I just find that I usually know more about shipping than post office clerks.

Titus · 05-08-2008, 03:37 PM

Are you talking about customs? I don't even talk with the USPS, I just pop it on the APC machine scale and ship it out.

HP_Lovecraft · 05-08-2008, 03:38 PM

You are making a very big assumption that the postal clerk will know enough about paintball to understand that they are safe.

Unfortunetly, I've heard the exact opposite from postal clerks. They tell me that you can not mail any "pressurized container". Ie hairspray, 12grams, etc.. The only way to ensure that its 100% empty is for the valve to be completely removed. Guages, or screwed on ASAs, or removed burst disks are not enough for many postal workers.

Which is always the big headache when dealing with the USPS. Every postoffice seems to interpret the rules differently. For example, the my local post office is super strict. So I now drive 2 towns over to a very liberal post office.

nick

matteusz · 05-08-2008, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frink

I don't understand why showing it to the clerk at the post office would make any difference. They wouldn't treat the package any differently than if they never knew what was inside? And as long as it's not going across the boarder it should definitely not be opened.

I just find that I usually know more about shipping than post office clerks.

Apparently once you get a decent understanding of things they make you start answering phone calls from guys like me. Come to think of it I often find the postal clerks under informed as well.

The difference it makes is that it is hand stamped and so the other under informed postal workers become more liberal in there assumption the package is not dangerous. I am pretty sure I can convince almost all the my local postal clerks that a canister is empty and can't be filled. Just explain the burst disk is like the lid on a jar. No lid no air. If they don't get that

maybe we should all learn to ship like Titus. Of course that is what I usually do to but just with a cheap digital scale and online services.

WilD · 05-08-2008, 04:01 PM

I didn't realize there was a problem. I never tell the clerks there are metal cylinders in the box, but they have never asked. They are always empty, but I don't remove the valve.

jwigum · 05-08-2008, 10:50 PM

I had someone ship me a full CO2 tank one time... I was surprised it got here.

*shrug* guess they don't catch them all.

Makeshift · 05-08-2008, 11:33 PM

I always get the standard question "does it contain anything liquid, perishable or potentially hazardous"? I answer no with a clear conscience.

The term hazardous spans a wide spectrum but I still don't think an empty co2 cylinder in a taped close box is hazardous during shipment.

Jeffrey

hvacman250 · 05-08-2008, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Makeshift

I always get the standard question "does it contain anything liquid, perishable or potentially hazardous"? I answer no with a clear conscience.

The term hazardous spans a wide spectrum but I still don't think an empty co2 cylinder in a taped close box is hazardous during shipment.

Jeffrey

You forgot "fragile" LOL

Ive shipped HPA bottles with 3000+ psi in them Priority mail and they arrived on time. Just play dumb, use CLick and Ship service online, and drop it off.

Azzy · 05-09-2008, 07:26 PM

No harm, no foul, no worries.....why bother?

05-08-2008, 03:32 PM	#1 (permalink)
matteusz Active Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 492	Some cool info on shipping tanks in priority mail So I called the post office and then the other post office and then had a lengthy conversation with a postmaster about mailing regulations. What it boils down to is this. If you can show that what you are shipping is not dangerous, has not had dangerous stuff in it, and can not be pressurized in shipping (i.e. you have removed a burst disk) you can ship it via air mail or priority mailing methods. Best thing to do is take the open package to the post office counter show it to the clerk, seal it up and then ship it. Just thought I would pass that along. Any input? Mat __________________ MCB Feedback Here: http://www.mcarterbrown.com/forums/s...3459#post83459 AO Feedback Here: http://www.automags.org/forums/showthread.php?t=202414 Old School Skill, New World Tech

05-08-2008, 03:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
Titus Sunstar Paramedics Slave Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: The Group W Bench Posts: 7,045	Are you talking about customs? I don't even talk with the USPS, I just pop it on the APC machine scale and ship it out. __________________ Celani's Paintball Dealer for APP, CCI, Tippmann, JCS, etc Feedback Willing to be a 3rd party for shipments to Canada and outside of the US, just PM me.

05-08-2008, 03:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
HP_Lovecraft Post Whore Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Southern Maine Posts: 2,726	You are making a very big assumption that the postal clerk will know enough about paintball to understand that they are safe. Unfortunetly, I've heard the exact opposite from postal clerks. They tell me that you can not mail any "pressurized container". Ie hairspray, 12grams, etc.. The only way to ensure that its 100% empty is for the valve to be completely removed. Guages, or screwed on ASAs, or removed burst disks are not enough for many postal workers. Which is always the big headache when dealing with the USPS. Every postoffice seems to interpret the rules differently. For example, the my local post office is super strict. So I now drive 2 towns over to a very liberal post office. nick __________________ www.montneel.com My Myspace nonsense "the evidence strongly suggests that neither Billy nor Adam (Smart Parts) could have invented the electronic paintgun" -Garr M. King, U.S. Judge

05-08-2008, 04:01 PM	#6 (permalink)
WilD the MilD MOD Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: The Motor City Posts: 2,306	I didn't realize there was a problem. I never tell the clerks there are metal cylinders in the box, but they have never asked. They are always empty, but I don't remove the valve. __________________ PGPOG #79 POG #1055

05-08-2008, 11:33 PM	#8 (permalink)
Makeshift Damage Inc. Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 150	I always get the standard question "does it contain anything liquid, perishable or potentially hazardous"? I answer no with a clear conscience. The term hazardous spans a wide spectrum but I still don't think an empty co2 cylinder in a taped close box is hazardous during shipment. Jeffrey __________________ Carpe Noctem! My mouth is clean, my hands are dirty. Heaven isn't on my side. Well if it was, then she'd have hurt me. Didn't think this through...

05-08-2008, 10:50 PM	#7 (permalink)
jwigum MCB Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 349	I had someone ship me a full CO2 tank one time... I was surprised it got here. shrug guess they don't catch them all.

05-09-2008, 07:26 PM	#10 (permalink)
Azzy Mod-O-Rator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Finleyville, PA Posts: 6,948	No harm, no foul, no worries.....why bother? __________________ Bryan "Azzy" Spiegel webmaster - Riverside Renegade Paintball / C.C. S.V.S. Plankowner - LPPC#6 Check out VintageRex.com, the premiere paintball museum "A Patriot and free-thinker with respect to social standards in 1760, is today's traitor and dangerous mind." - incynr8