I have several Cox Starting Kits which include a half pint of fuel. I'd like to put them on ebay with some other items I'm selling but I've been having trouble determining what the legality of shipping fuel via USPS. I even asked at the local post office this morning while shipping out some other items and they weren't really sure either. Any ideas?


Mike

DO NOT QUOTE ME...

It seems like on sites like Tower Hobbies, quarts of fuel have no extra charge for shipping. Gallons and above charge the "hazardous" fee.

If this is true, then you Cox items should be OK.

Ken

Originally Posted by kenh3497

DO NOT QUOTE ME...

It seems like on sites like Tower Hobbies, quarts of fuel have no extra charge for shipping. Gallons and above charge the "hazardous" fee.

If this is true, then you Cox items should be OK.

Ken

That's what I'm thinking but I want to make sure before I list them. I do know that they would have to be shipped surface.

A few years ago someone had some starting kits listed on ebay that included fuel and they were shipping just the empty cans because THEY said it couldn't be shipped. Maybe they just wanted to keep the fuel?



Mike

https://www.usps.com/ship/can-you-ship-it.htm?showtab=2


Can You Ship It?


Make sure your mail gets delivered quickly and efficiently. Learn about USPS safety restrictions and mailing guidelines.

open inline sectionRestrictions
open inline sectionHAZMAT, active
open inline sectionSize
open inline sectionSpecial Handling

Many household items can’t go in the mail.
Hazardous materials come in a wide variety of forms and can be chemical, biological, radioactive, or a combination.

The Postal Service's™ definition of a hazardous material includes many common household and consumer products. They may not be dangerous on your shelf at home, but they can become a hazard when shaken or when the temperature or pressure changes.

Some common hazardous materials include…

Perfumes
Nail polish
Flea collars or flea sprays
Aerosols
Bleach
Pool chemicals
Paints
Matches
Batteries
Fuels or gasoline
Airbags
Dry ice
Mercury thermometers
Cleaning supplies
Items previously containing fuel
Glues
Fireworks

Not sure if what you’re sending is hazardous or prohibited?

Just call 1-800-ASK-USPS or your local Post Office.

Originally Posted by sweatybetty

https://www.usps.com/ship/can-you-ship-it.htm?showtab=2


Can You Ship It?


Make sure your mail gets delivered quickly and efficiently. Learn about USPS safety restrictions and mailing guidelines.

open inline sectionRestrictions
open inline sectionHAZMAT, active
open inline sectionSize
open inline sectionSpecial Handling

Many household items can’t go in the mail.
Hazardous materials come in a wide variety of forms and can be chemical, biological, radioactive, or a combination.

The Postal Service's™ definition of a hazardous material includes many common household and consumer products. They may not be dangerous on your shelf at home, but they can become a hazard when shaken or when the temperature or pressure changes.

Some common hazardous materials include…

Perfumes
Nail polish
Flea collars or flea sprays
Aerosols
Bleach
Pool chemicals
Paints
Matches
Batteries
Fuels or gasoline
Airbags
Dry ice
Mercury thermometers
Cleaning supplies
Items previously containing fuel
Glues
Fireworks

Not sure if what you’re sending is hazardous or prohibited?

Just call 1-800-ASK-USPS or your local Post Office.

I've already been on their site and it hasn't helped me figure out if model fuel is allowed or not. And as I already said, I've been to the local post office and they can't tell me either. From what I was able to find out online I need to find out what the flash point of the fuel is as that will determine whether it's allowed or not. Maybe a hobby shop can help with that.


Mike

just don't ever use that explosive sounding "n" word in any of your inquiries...

Originally Posted by ZAGNUT

just don't ever use that explosive sounding "n" word in any of your inquiries...

And I didn't when talked to the lady at the post office yesterday. When she asked about what I wanting to ship I said it's an alcohol based substance and intentionally left out the nitro part. Most people wouldn't distinguish between nitro methane and nitro glycerin.


Mike

Hope this helps a bit


From this web site.... http://avogadro.chem.iastate.edu/MSDS/methanol.htm


Physical State: Liquid
Appearance: clear, colorless
Odor: alcohol-like - weak odor
pH: Not available.
Vapor Pressure: 128 mm Hg @ 20 deg C
Vapor Density: 1.11 (Air=1)
Evaporation Rate:5.2 (Ether=1)
Viscosity: 0.55 cP 20 deg C
Boiling Point: 64.7 deg C @ 760.00mm Hg
Freezing/Melting Point:-98 deg C
Autoignition Temperature: 464 deg C ( 867.20 deg F)
Flash Point: 11 deg C ( 51.80 deg F)
Decomposition Temperature:Not available.
NFPA Rating: (estimated) Health: 1; Flammability: 3; Reactivity: 0
Explosion Limits, Lower:6.0 vol %
Upper: 36.00 vol %
Solubility: miscible
Specific Gravity/Density:.7910g/cm3
Molecular Formula:CH4O
Molecular Weight:32.04

Originally Posted by sweatybetty

https://www.usps.com/ship/can-you-ship-it.htm?showtab=2


Can You Ship It?

Some common hazardous materials include…

Perfumes
Nail polish
Flea collars or flea sprays
Aerosols
Bleach
Pool chemicals
Paints
Matches
Batteries
Fuels or gasoline
Airbags
Dry ice
Mercury thermometers
Cleaning supplies
Items previously containing fuel
Glues
Fireworks

Not sure if what you’re sending is hazardous or prohibited?

Just call 1-800-ASK-USPS or your local Post Office.

Originally Posted by MikeCr

I've already been on their site and it hasn't helped me figure out if model fuel is allowed or not. And as I already said, I've been to the local post office and they can't tell me either. From what I was able to find out online I need to find out what the flash point of the fuel is as that will determine whether it's allowed or not. Maybe a hobby shop can help with that.


Mike

"Fuels or gasoline" seems pretty self explanatory to me. You should call the 800 number and see what they have to say.


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