How Can A Pressurized Fire Extinguisher Be Shipped Legally?

Question

Recently, I tried to ship a fully charged dry chemical fire extinguisher via FedEx, and was told that I absolutely must be a registered "Haz-Mat" shipper.

Attempting to ship an item of this nature illegally without properly declaring that it is a pressurized device would make the sender subject to a $250,000 Federal fine (or was it $500,000?)... and possibly a jail term, if I recall correctly.

This regulation applies to all modes of shipment, including the US Postal Service, I was told.

Anyone aware of an easy method of shipping a pressurized fire extinguisher legally?

On a side note, I must assume that a significant number of the fully charged fire extinguishers listed on ebay are shipped illegally without declaring that they are pressurized units.

Thank you.

- Paul Brokken

Answer 1

The cost of shipping a fire extinguisher will be a lot more than the item is worth...But check the link below and you should get the info you need there

Answer 2

Try these guys and ask them.

http://www.smokesign.com/firex.html

Answer 3

Pressurized containers can not be flown and have to be shipped via ground. The best thing is to contact the shippers and get the information from them. I would think that FedEx and UPS may indeed ship them, but they have to be declared and they have to affix certain warnings on the packaging.