Shipping Tanks

[M.D.]

Hi everyone,
My brother recently moved out west to Victoria, we live around the Toronto area. He wants me to ship all his gear out there. I'm not exactly sure what's involved to ship the tanks. I would assume I'd have to get the tanks purged, and remove the valves. They would most likely need an inspection when they get out there. I phoned Purolator and they were not helpful at all, they told me to phone the manufacturer to find out what to do. Any ideas?

 

[scubatoys]

If they are going by truck the whole way... You could just bleed them down to about 100 PSI and secure them in there. DOT does not stop you from traveling with a tank... if so, how would you go diving!

Or you can go with your suggestion.... Simply empty them. Unscrew the vavles, then put some masking tape over the holes so no creatures climb in there.

When you get to the destination, you simply screw in the valve, hand tight, then give the handle a pop with the palm of your hand to take it just past hand tight. It's up to the shop you go to get them filled at if they will require another VIP.
Now DOT is US, so I'm not sure if CTC has any different rules

Hi everyone,
My brother recently moved out west to Victoria, we live around the Toronto area. He wants me to ship all his gear out there. I'm not exactly sure what's involved to ship the tanks. I would assume I'd have to get the tanks purged, and remove the valves. They would most likely need an inspection when they get out there. I phoned Purolator and they were not helpful at all, they told me to phone the manufacturer to find out what to do. Any ideas?

 

[M.D.]

Sorry, I should have been a little more specific. They would be shipped by air, that's where most of my concern lays. Transport Canada has no relevant information listed on their website, from what I found. Although they list all the Acts in typical verbose legal-speak.

 

[jva]

I'm flying via the US with Continental Airlines tomorrow, they have something about this on their website, maybe this is usefull:
http://www.continental.com/travel/policies/baggage/sports.asp

The empty dive/rebreather tank must have the regulator valve completely disconnected form the tank. The tank must not be sealed (i.e. the tank has an open end). The tank must have an opening to allow for a visual inspection by a TSA Security Screener.

 

[Dave in PA]

If you do as Larry suggested, ie remove the valves and place a piece of tape over the tanks, they are magically transformed into plain old chunks of aluminum (or steel). Do not mark anything on the outer package as to the contents, but wrap them well to prevent damage. I would suggest clear plastic tape so that any inspector can readily see inside the tank. Most countries conform to the IATA (International Air Transport Association) regulations when it comes to air shipments. By removing the valves you are no longer shipping compressed air cylinders, but rather pieces of metal which will cost dearly to ship.

 

[M.D.]

Thanks everyone,
I'll look into that. Hopefully I can get out to BC to visit my brother at the end of the summer, and do some dives in the Pacific.

If you do as Larry suggested, ie remove the valves and place a iece of tape over the tanks, they are magically transformed into plain old chunks of aluminum (or steel). Do not mark anything on the outer package as to the contents, but wrap them well to prevent damage. I would suggest clear plastic tape so that any inspector can readily see inside the tank. Most countries conform to the IATA (International Air Transport Association) regulations when it comes to air shipments. By removing the valves you are no longer shipping compressed air cylinders, but rather pieces of metal which will cost dearly to ship.

 

[Don Burke]

I was hit with a surcharge because the cylinders were, well, cylinders and needed to be stowed more carefully so they would not roll around. Boxing them would have saved me five dollars each.

Valves out is a given for most shipping companies.

 

[Diver Dennis]

Shipping tanks by air in Canada, as with the US I believe, is fine as long as the valves are removed, but the cost is extreme. Why not ship ground?

 

[M.D.]

Shipping tanks by air in Canada, as with the US I believe, is fine as long as the valves are removed, but the cost is extreme. Why not ship ground?

Hmm. Good point. It would take a little longer I suppose. I don't know why that didn't occur to me. I guess my bro will just have to rent gear a little longer.

 

[TheDavil]

Not to hijack the thread, but man, any excuse to go to Victoria - you should take it...

I'm halfway tempted to drive to Toronto, pick them up and take them to your brother myself. And I'm in Phoenix.

Victoria's one of my wife and my favorite places in the world...

David