# shipping dummy rounds: did I break the law? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 24, 2017, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shipping-dummy-rounds-did-i-break-the-law/782908 "2017-03-24T14:23:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2017, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shipping-dummy-rounds-did-i-break-the-law/782908/1 "2017-03-24T14:23:40Z")
I recently shipped a [GAU-8 dummy round](http://www.cartrology.com/browse-ammunition.php?mode=item&ID=131) through USPS. although this fits in the famous enemy-shredding A-10 gun, it’s completely inert: there’s no propellant or primer in the case, and there’s no explosive warhead/fuze in the projectile. Did I break any USPS regulations/laws by shipping this thing? ---
**Author:** ![DinoR](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dinor/32/2821_2.png) [@DinoR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DinoR)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2017, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shipping-dummy-rounds-did-i-break-the-law/782908/2 "2017-03-24T18:09:33Z")
From Publication 52 hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail, 4 Restricted Matter, 43 Firearms, [434 Replica or Inert Firearms](http://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c4_011.htm) > [@](#): > > 434 Replica or Inert Explosive Devices > > Replica or inert explosive devices that are not dangerous, but that bear a realistic appearance to explosive devices such as simulated grenades, are permitted in the mail when all of the following conditions are met: > > ``` > The package is presented by the mailer at a retail counter. > Registered Mail service is used. (Registered Mail service is only available for items mailed as First-Class Mail or Priority Mail.) > The address side of the package is labeled with “REPLICA EXPLOSIVE” using at least 20-point type or letters at least 1/4-inch high. > > ``` If you did all that you should have been fine. Since you are only asking now, I think you did violate USPS regulations. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2017, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shipping-dummy-rounds-did-i-break-the-law/782908/3 "2017-03-24T18:18:06Z")
> [@DinoR](#): > > From Publication 52 hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail, 4 Restricted Matter, 43 Firearms, [434 Replica or Inert Firearms](http://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c4_011.htm) > If you did all that you should have been fine. Since you are only asking now, I think you did violate USPS regulations. Oops. :smack: This was shipped in a plain cardboard box, no outside markings other than the address label. Do they typically X-ray packages to ID contents? On they off-chance that they’ve opened it (or the package fell apart), what sort of penalty might I be looking at? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2017, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shipping-dummy-rounds-did-i-break-the-law/782908/4 "2017-03-24T18:28:39Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > Oops. :smack: > > This was shipped in a plain cardboard box, no outside markings other than the address label. Do they typically X-ray packages to ID contents? > > On they off-chance that they’ve opened it (or the package fell apart), what sort of penalty might I be looking at? They send you back a live round by airmail. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2017, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shipping-dummy-rounds-did-i-break-the-law/782908/5 "2017-03-24T18:56:07Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > They send you back a live round by airmail. > > 😃 delivered by a drone, no doubt. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![DinoR](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dinor/32/2821_2.png) [@DinoR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DinoR)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2017, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shipping-dummy-rounds-did-i-break-the-law/782908/6 "2017-03-24T19:21:52Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > Do they typically X-ray packages to ID contents? No idea at anything close to a GQ level. It takes time and money so I’d be surprised if they do but I have no idea. ISTR the original question coming up as a possible issue when I was a Battalion S4 (Logistics Officer) and found your answer on my second search. That’s as far as my knowledge actually extends. ---
**Author:** ![SamuelA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@SamuelA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SamuelA)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2017, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shipping-dummy-rounds-did-i-break-the-law/782908/7 "2017-03-24T19:55:21Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > Oops. :smack: > > This was shipped in a plain cardboard box, no outside markings other than the address label. Do they typically X-ray packages to ID contents? > > On they off-chance that they’ve opened it (or the package fell apart), what sort of penalty might I be looking at? They don’t X-ray unless they are investigating that package specifically. [https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/contactUs/faq.aspx](https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/contactUs/faq.aspx) They need probable cause to open the mail if it’s domestic, so unless there is some obvious sign on the outside of the package that it might contain something suspicious or you are already under investigation, they don’t have it. A plain cardboard box is unlikely to break. So you probably got away with it. I can’t say what the likely penalty is, not being a criminal defense lawyer, but I would guess that it would be a fine, since it is not in itself an illegal item you were mailing.