Okay fine, I will solve this! Since I am not moving back to the mainland for a minute. I will "hold" all of your ammo for you, I would hate for you to stress about PCSing and figuring out what to do with your ammo. So I will bite the bullet and take care of that ammo for you!   

I see you arent shipping out HHG, but heres my story anyways.

I PCSed from Oahu in May to Texas. I had over 5k rounds of various calibers in my HHG. I just prepacked em sorta discretely with some of my other stuff in boxes. The packers just taped the boxes up at put them in the truck, no biggie.

I was more concerned about a rumor I heard about them not shipping out unregistered guns as I had 4-5 very expensive unregistered firearms (I don't believe in registration yada yada, don't care, I'm in freedom-land  now) . That didn't turn out to be the case, even with them cataloging each serial and what not.   

Examples of moving company websites which list AMMUNITION as "HAZARDOUS MATERIAL" and state they WILL NOT accept ammo for packing or moving:

Altas Van Lines
http://www.atlasvanlines.com/how-to-move/non-allowables/

Mayflower Moving Company
http://www.mayflower.com/moving/full-service-movers/moving-tips/nonallowables.htm




Tons of "Moving Tips" and "Moving Company Checklists" sites also state ammunition will not be accepted by movers.  One example:

http://www.mymovingreviews.com/move/items-movers-wont-take

***

If "CP" ("Customer Packed"), then you may be liable for any damages hazardous materials cause. Insurance will probably not cover you.

If the moving company's packers and drivers allow you to include ammo, I would be sure to get that in writing.  If ammo is in their Hazardous/Restricted Materials list, then you take the risk including it in the HHG.

I watched an Atlas moving van with 2 Air Force families' belongings being completely destroyed by fire outside Tinker AFB, OK.  One of them was moving his dirt bike, and he apparently didn't prep the gas tank as required.

As with all things in life, the choice is yours...as are the consequences.

 

^ Because ammo spontaneously ignites during shipping lol

just messin' brother, you have valid points but I'm not the typical "turn off your cell phone on a plane" type.

^ Because ammo spontaneously ignites during shipping lol

just messin' brother, you have valid points but I'm not the typical "turn off your cell phone on a plane" type.

My point isn't about the theories of whether ammunition can be stored or moved safely.  There are plenty of videos and literature debunking all the scarey scenarios people imagine regarding ammunition storage, damage, and such. 

I was focused on whether moving companies will (a) accept ammunition for moving with HHG, and (b) whether the customer is willing to accept the potential risks should something unfortunate happen.

With the cost of guns and ammo, I'd personally treat them more like family heirlooms  ... just to avoid having my collection mysteriously vanish en route! 

.

So here is the thing:

When I order ammo, its shipped either freight or hazmat via UPS.

So why can't this guy ship his stuff?

I don't make the rules.  I just report what I see ...   

Hazardous materials – this means things that are corrosive, explosive, flammable and thus dangerous. These include: aerosols (deodorants, body spray, etc.), weapons and ammunition, car batteries, charcoal, cleaning solutions, bleach, gas (if you are moving your mower empty the tank), lamp oil, matches, paint and paint thinner, fireworks, nail polish remover and pool chemicals. Items movers won’t move are these dangerous substances. They can damage not just your property but also the company’s property and the lives of the people around. This is why these things movers will not take.
Flammable materials

Forbidden for moving are flammables, corrosives and explosives.

Read more: http://www.mymovingreviews.com/move/items-movers-wont-take#ixzz2ZZwQ6pqd

The following items may not be shipped as HHG (for a complete listing see JTR, Appendix A):
1. Motor vehicles, boats that cannot be fitted into a van (whether or not actually shipped by van), airplanes, mobile homes, camper trailers, and farming vehicles
2. Live animals, birds, fish, and reptiles
3. Cordwood and building materials
4. Property for resale, disposal, or commercial use rather than for use by the employee or immediate family
5. Privately owned live ammunition
6. Hazardous articles including explosives, flammable and corrosive materials, poisons, etc.

http://www.dfas.mil/pcstravel/civentitlements/movementofgoods.html

I assume if the DoD prohibits ammo, movers in general do as well.

A bag of cheesburgers and a 12pk of green bottles can fix that shit.  Also, self-pack ammo boxes, or other stuff that may be questionable.    I almost had to get rid of like 35 bottles of liquor... until I donated 1 bottle to each guy on my moving team =P of their choice.  Then everything magically left the house!

A bag of cheesburgers and a 12pk of green bottles can fix that shit.  Also, self-pack ammo boxes, or other stuff that may be questionable.    I almost had to get rid of like 35 bottles of liquor... until I donated 1 bottle to each guy on my moving team =P of their choice.  Then everything magically left the house!

Exactly.

 

just shoot it

Would I be able to ship my firearms via ffl dealer? I was hoping to ship them as to avoid any hassles at the gate during travels.

A bag of cheesburgers and a 12pk of green bottles can fix that shit.  Also, self-pack ammo boxes, or other stuff that may be questionable.    I almost had to get rid of like 35 bottles of liquor... until I donated 1 bottle to each guy on my moving team =P of their choice.  Then everything magically left the house!

I wouldn't tell the shippers anything, that's how stuff gets stolen.

Would I be able to ship my firearms via ffl dealer? I was hoping to ship them as to avoid any hassles at the gate during travels.

Yes but if you have a large collection it would be expensive.

I'm pretty sure you can mail rifles and shotguns to yourself, legally.

This would help you avoid FFL fees.

Truthfully, I'd just travel with them in your check in luggage.

Much easier and safer.

I wouldn't tell the shippers anything, that's how stuff gets stolen.

Yeah, you can steal it.. I will take the check and buy new guns.  That's not my problem and you can't prevent it.  I will say when I moved to Hawaii, we couldn't find my shotgun.  They actually had taken it, and placed it into the dresser.  They were going batshit crazy looking for it.

I wouldn't tell the shippers anything, that's how stuff gets stolen.

More importantly, this isn't the time to be all #tinfoil hat with it.  There are so many ways your stuff could get damaged, lost, dropped, or even stolen.  If you don't declare it, and it's not logged - then well tuff cookies in trying to get a reimbursement.   I mean what am I out if I lose my ammo, maybe a few grand?  My rifles comes up missing, and we are talking a whole different ball game of dollars.

Hide it in your household goods, especially if it is sealed.

I only have one rifle and 3 handguns. But I'm not shipping household goods. I'm mailing everything via post office (so far). I don't want to go through the hassle of dealing with airports (but just might put up with it, Idk) and wanted to have the security of knowing an ffl was shipping my goods. Which is why I asked. I still don't really know which avenue I will be taking in regard to how I should ship them and if I should even worry about shipping ammo...-_-

But I do appreciate the replies and help offered!

I only have one rifle and 3 handguns. But I'm not shipping household goods. I'm mailing everything via post office (so far). I don't want to go through the hassle of dealing with airports (but just might put up with it, Idk) and wanted to have the security of knowing an ffl was shipping my goods. Which is why I asked. I still don't really know which avenue I will be taking in regard to how I should ship them and if I should even worry about shipping ammo...-_-

But I do appreciate the replies and help offered!

Handguns cannot be shipped via USPS.  Only long guns can be.  Handguns require a commercial shipper ... FedEX or UPS.

I only have one rifle and 3 handguns. But I'm not shipping household goods. I'm mailing everything via post office (so far). I don't want to go through the hassle of dealing with airports (but just might put up with it, Idk) and wanted to have the security of knowing an ffl was shipping my goods. Which is why I asked. I still don't really know which avenue I will be taking in regard to how I should ship them and if I should even worry about shipping ammo...-_-

But I do appreciate the replies and help offered!

Bro, honestly, if you only have 1 rifle and 3 handguns then by all means take them with you on the flight.

Remember to have them all unloaded.

Put them in a hard locking case ( like a pelican) with real locks on it. Not that TSA crap.

Get to the airport an additional 15 minutes earlier.

Remember to declare the firearms to the person at the counter checking in your bag.

They'll have you open the case to make sure they're unloaded, have you sign a little fluorescent orange card and stick the card in the case with the guns.

Make sure your name and phone number are clearly marked somewhere on the case in case someone needs to see in it after the fact. (That is highly unlikely)

This is the absolute easiest way to get your firearms to where you want to go.

You can even take up to 11 pounds of ammo with you in the same case if you'd like. As long as its in factory boxes (not loose)

You will be amazed at how easy and not complicated it is to travel with firearms.

I do it all the time.

Bro, honestly, if you only have 1 rifle and 3 handguns then by all means take them with you on the flight.

Remember to have them all unloaded.

Put them in a hard locking case ( like a pelican) with real locks on it. Not that TSA crap.

Get to the airport an additional 15 minutes earlier.

Remember to declare the firearms to the person at the counter checking in your bag.

They'll have you open the case to make sure they're unloaded, have you sign a little fluorescent orange card and stick the card in the case with the guns.

Make sure your name and phone number are clearly marked somewhere on the case in case someone needs to see in it after the fact. (That is highly unlikely)

This is the absolute easiest way to get your firearms to where you want to go.

You can even take up to 11 pounds of ammo with you in the same case if you'd like. As long as its in factory boxes (not loose)

You will be amazed at how easy and not complicated it is to travel with firearms.

I do it all the time.

I was just about to say everything he said. Most of my coworkers who have pcs'd here traveled with guns. Took an extra 5 min to fill out the card, and they didn't even have to show the gun or open the bag. All one guy said to the counter person was "I have something to declare." The lady just handed him the form and weighed the bag and it was all done. Then again that was Alaska, diff culture....