PyrocatHD and USPS airmail

[davidl]

Hello all,

I have a question whether dry Pyrocat HD is allowed to be shipped by air and particularly to overseas; I've been trying to find out on USPS website, called USPS information line, asked at the post office, but got nowhere - so I'm curious whether this developer is generally allowed to be shipped by air or not?

I'd like to send two sealed Formulary 10-liter dry kits from US to Europe where I'm traveling this month - I'd like to use USPS airmail because it's fast, cheap and dependable; I travel overseas about twice a year, and I develop portion of my B&W films before returning back home. I know there are many restrictions on what can be shipped by airmail these days - but there are no specifications to be found which would clearly say whether dry (non-liquid) photo chemistry is allowed (or not to) be shipped by airmail. I noticed that B&H would ship PyrocatHD be airmail to Europe, but they are reputable/well known shipper so they may have some kind of exception. But B&H doesn't have it in stock, it's a special order item; also their shipping fee is rather high.

Could anyone share with me your experience regarding mailing/shipping PyrocatHD, or other dry photo chemistry in general?

I'm not interested in advices on buying chemistry at the location, about time wasted developing films during vacations etc. - I had such a pointless discussion before. All I need to know is whether I can ship the developer to Europe without breaking any rules. I’d off course clearly declare the package contents on the customs form.

Thanks for advice in advance.

Dave

 

[livemoa]

Dave, I know you said that you didn't want advice about buying in Europe..... and I am going to ignore that, as, if all else fails lotus view camera supply Pyrocat hd in a liquid form.

Best of luck

 

[roteague]

Dave, I know you said that you didn't want advice about buying in Europe..... and I am going to ignore that, as, if all else fails lotus view camera supply Pyrocat hd in a liquid form.

Best of luck

Since you brought that up, how readily available is QuickLoad Velvia F100 in New Zealand?

 

[bmac]

Could anyone share with me your experience regarding mailing/shipping PyrocatHD, or other dry photo chemistry in general?

I could tell you a story of how a box of dry chems from artcraft closed down the mailroom at work, but it is still much too painful for me to talk about.

 

[Jorge]

What did PF tell you? surely they must know if they can ship to Europe. If you cannot get an answer from them, contact Michael at Artcraftchemicals and ask him, I beleive he ships chemicals to Europe, ig he does, then buy the Pyrocat HD chemicals from him...

 

[Dean Williams]

Email Photographers Formulary. Or call them. They ship the chems and should know the regs. They show no restrictions on pyrocat in their catalog. Not even for pyrogallol...just that it may require an extra charge for hazmat. You might ask them about options in case USPS won't take it via air.

 

[livemoa]

As far as I know its not. Can do a quick check for you next time I am at the pro shop, which will probably prove me wrong.

Most trany film is easily availabile in 5x4 sheet.

Since you brought that up, how readily available is QuickLoad Velvia F100 in New Zealand?

 

[davidl]

Thanks to all for your opinions; it seems that I forgot to mention that I didn’t want to buy & ship Pyrocat because I’m in a hurry with it, but rather send the stuff which I already have. For now I’ve got sealed Formulary packages, but I also have bulk Pyrocat chemistry on hand; I figured that if I’m going to send something ahead, then it should be the factory packaged stuff .

I agree that to purchase & ship direct from Artcraft, Formulary, B&H or other distributor would be probably the best – I called Formulary and they’re closed for today, but I’ll call them tomorrow morning again and ask if they’d ship it overseas and whether it would be there within a week or so. I could add more chemistry if they have no restrictions and have experience with shipping chemistry abroad. Also, thanks for the tip about Lotus View Camera – I checked their website and I’ll email them eventually – they’re located in Austria; if their shipping would be reasonable, I could buy supplies from them regularly.

Thanks
Dave

 

[livemoa]

Dave, Lotus are great to deal with and they have a rental darkroom, if you are in Austria. I have bought stuff from them and have been more than happy with the transaction.

 

[Francesco]

I buy all my Pyrocat HD from Lotus View Camera and find them reliable, consistent and friendly.

 

[davidl]

Just wanted to post the update/resolution - I ordered PyrocatHD from Formulary this morning, and they shipped it today to Europe destination for me - they insisted that to ship dry (Pyrocat) kits by airmail is no problem (they used USPS Global Priority Mail), and I should have it there next week. So I understand that I could've packed my two 10-liter sealed dry kits of Pyrocat and basically do the same.

Either way, I'll have the developer hopefully at the location next week - so all turned out well.

Dave