Smokeless Powder Regulations Gun Powder
Smokeless Powder Classification DOT IATA Details:
!ONLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER!
Over 100 Lbs per shipment, Classified as Explosives
IATA Air / International (Air or International, or ground over 100Lbs)
Proper Shipping Name: Powder, smokeless
Hazard Class / Divsion: 1.3C
UN Identification Number: UN0161
REFERENCE NUMBER: EX-9503201A
Under 100 Lbs can be reclassified as Flamable Solids
49CFR (Ground ONLY less than 100Lbs)
Proper Shipping Name: Smokeless powder for Small Arms
Hazard Class / Divsion: 4.1 Flammable Solid
UN Identification Number: NA3178
REFERENCE NUMBER: EX-9503201A
49 CFR
§ 173.171 Smokeless powder for small arms. which has been classed in Division 1.3
may be re-classed in Division 4.1, for domestic transportation by motor vehicle, rail car,
vessel, or cargo-only aircraft, subject to the following conditions
(a) The powder must be examined and approved for a Division 1.3 and Division 4.1 classification
in accordance with § 173.56 and 173.58 of this part.
(b) The total quantity of smokeless powder may not exceed 45.4 kg (100 pounds) net
mass in: (1) One rail car, motor vehicle, or cargo-only aircraft; or (2) One freight container
on a vessel, not to exceed four freight containers per vessel.
(c) Only combination packaging with inner packaging not exceeding 3.6 kg (8 pounds)
net mass are authorized. Inner packaging must be arranged and protected so as to
prevent simultaneous ignition of the contents. The complete package must be of the
same type which has been examined as required in §173.56 of this part. (d) Inside packages
that have been examined and approved by the Associate Administrator may be
packaged in UN 4G fiberboard boxes meeting the Packing Group I performance level,
provided all inside containers are packed to prevent shifting and the net weight of
smokeless powder in any one box does not exceed 7.3 kg (16 pounds).
DOT REGULATIONS
- 10-3 SMOKELESS PROPELLANTS.
- 10-3.1 Quantities of smokeless propellants not exceeding 25 LB (11.3kg), in shipping containers
approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation, may be transported in a private vehicle. - 10-3.2 Quantities of smokeless propellants exceeding 25 lb (11.3kg) but not exceeding 50 lb
(22.7 kg), transported in a private vehicle, shall be transported in a portable magazine having
wood walls of at least 1-inc. (25.4-mm) nominal thickness. - 10-3.3 Transportation of more than 50 lb (22.7 kg) of smokeless propellants in a private vehicle
is prohibited. - 10-3.4 Commercial shipments of smokeless propellants in quantities not exceeding 100 lb.
(45.4kg) are classified for transportation purposes as flammable solids when packaged according
to U.S. Department of Transportation Hazardous Materials Regulations. (Title 49, Code of
Federal Regulations, Park 173.197a), and shall be transported accordingly. - 10-3.5 Commercial shipments of smokeless propellants exceeding 100 lb (45.4 kg) or not
packaged in accordance with the regulations cited in 10-3.4 shall be transported according to
the U. S. Department of Transportation regulations for Class B propellant explosives. - 10-3.6 Smokeless propellants shall be stored in shipping containers specified by U. S.
Department of Transportation Hazardous Materials Regulations. - 10-3.7 Smokeless propellants intended for personal use in quantities not exceeding 20 lb (9.1
kg) may be stored in original containers in residences. Quantities exceeding 20 lb (9.1 kg), but
not exceeding 50 lb (22.7 kg), may be stored in residences if kept in a wooden box or cabinet
having walls or at least 1-inc. (25.4-mm) nominal thickness. - 10-3.8 Not more than 20 lb (9.1 kg) of smokeless propellants, in containers of 1-lb (0.45-kg)
maximum capacity, shall be displayed in commercial establishments. - 10-3.9 Commercial stocks of smokeless propellants should be stored as follows:
(a) Quantities exceeding 20 lb (9.1 kg), but not exceeding 100 lb (45.4 kg), shall be stored in
portable wooden boxes having walls of at least 1-in (25.4-mm) thickness.
(b) Quantities exceeding 100 lb (45.4 kg), but not exceeding 800 lb (363 kg), shall be stored in
non portable storage cabinets having walls of at least 1-in (25.4-mm)thickness. Not more than
400 lb (181 kg) may be stored in any one cabinet and cabinets shall be separated by a distance
of at least 25 ft (7.63 m) or by a fire partition having a fire resistance of at least 1 hour.
(c) Quantities exceeding 800 lb (363 kg), but not exceeding 5,000 lb (2268 kg), may be stored
in a building if the following requirements are met:
1. The warehouse or storage room shall not be accessible to unauthorized personnel.
2. Smokeless propellant shall be stored in nonportable storage cabinets having wood
walls at least 1 inc. (25.4 mm) thick and having shelves with no more than 3 ft (0.92 m)
separation between shelves.
3. No more than 400 lb (181 kg) shall be stored in any one cabinet.
4. Cabinets shall be located against walls of the storage room or warehouse with at
least 40 ft (12.2 m) between cabinets.
5. Separation between cabinets may be reduced to 250 ft (6.1m) if barricades twice the
height of the cabinets are attached to the wall, midway between each cabinet. The barri
cades shall extend at least 10 ft (3m) outward, shall be firmly attached to the wall, and
shall be constructed of 1/4-inc. (6.4-mm) boiler plate, 2-in. (51-mm) thick wood, brick, or
concrete block.
6. Smokeless propellant shall be separated from materials classified by the U.S.
Department of Transportation as flammable liquids, flammable solids, and oxidizing
materials by a distance of 25 ft (7.63mm) or by a fire partition having a fire resistance of
at least 1 hour.
7. The building shall be protected by an automatic sprinkler system installed accordingly
to NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems..
(d) Smokeless propellants not stored according to (a), (b) and (c) above shall
be stored in a Type 4 magazine constructed and located according to Chapter6.
Reprinted with permission from NFPA495-85, Standard for the Manufacture,Transportation,
Storage and Use of Explosive Materials, (c) 1985, National Fire Protection Association,
Quincy, MA 02269. This reprinted material is not the complete and official position of the NFPA
on the referenced subject, which is represented by the Standard in its entirety.
All Data pulled from current 2015 IATA and 49CFR books