The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute® (SAAMI®) is pleased to announce that a collaborative effort between the U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and SAAMI has resulted in the development of educational resources that provide guidance for shippers of ammunition and components.

This PHMSA-SAAMI collaborative effort is timely and important because with the increased demand for ammunition and components, the amount sold online and shipped by small distributors, retailers and individuals has increased dramatically. By providing this information, PHMSA and SAAMI will help to ensure that shipments of small arms ammunition and components are done safely and in accordance with existing requirements under the Hazardous Materials Regulations.

The document, called “The Facts on Small Arms-related HAZMAT,” provides information on determining what items are considered hazardous materials, what “EX Approvals” are and how they are used, packaging of explosives, shipping smokeless and black powder, shipping primers/percussion caps, shipping ammunition and empty primed cases, and shipping using the “Limited Quantity” (“LQ”) exemption.

In addition, the document contains a guide outlining steps to safely ship packages containing HAZMAT items. Part of PHMSA’s Check the Box program, “The Facts on Small Arms-Related HAZMAT” can be found here.

“This public-private initiative between PHMSA and SAAMI, in response to changes in the marketplace, demonstrates the continuing efforts of the firearm and ammunition industry to maintain high standards of safety in all aspects. Our goal is to remind everyone engaged in the business of shipping small arms ammunition and components that it’s their responsibility to ensure their shipments are in full compliance with relevant regulations,” said Joe Bartozzi, SAAMI President and CEO.

SHOT Show® Seminar

At the SHOT Show, the trade show for the shooting, hunting, outdoor and law enforcement industries, PHMSA will be presenting on these topics and will answer questions on Tuesday, January 18, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. local time. Attendees will be able to register for this event through the SHOT Show registration process.