How stupid would it be to bring SN on a plane

[expertsarepuzzled]

Title basically

Any advice greatly appreciated

 

[Jrmull1993]

In checked baggage it shouldn't be an issue, it's a completely legal and stable substance. If we can transport firearms and ammo in checked baggage, I see no issue why sodium nitrite would be an issue.

It's no different that buying salt, seasonings, spices, etc... and bringing it back home with you.

 

[Smart No More]

I agree. It shouldn't be an issue. It's not illegal. As long as it's not in hand luggage then no problem. Just be prepared to answer questions if needed.

Of course it would pay to get ahead of it and just check with the airline before you go. It's perfectly legitimate to have it.

 

[Suicidebydeath]

C4 is a highly stable substance too but I wouldn't bring it on a plane (Yeah thanks now I'm on a FBI watchlist).

I would avoid it if you can, but there might not be any problem, . I remember when my ex got stopped and delayed for like an hour or two arriving at my airport because her toiletries weren't in english, and they had to confirm what they were. Even though they were just regular toiletries, and she was from America, just not originally. It was just hair spray or deoderant or moisturizer or something like that.

I would not be surprised if they want to test it for any reason, they tend to be a bit highly strung at airports. You can make a bomb with ammonium nitrate just by mixing it with another substance, and to the casual eye I'd say it looks the same as SN (both are white crystalline salts). I defer to others though, I don't travel by air a lot, and I get freaked out at the thought of even transporting my medication so I'm probably pretty paranoid about it myself.

 

[Forever Sleep]

C4 is a highly stable substance too but I wouldn't bring it on a plane (Yeah thanks now I'm on a FBI watchlist).

I would avoid it if you can, but there might not be any problem, . I remember when my ex got stopped and delayed for like an hour or so arriving at my airport because her toiletries weren't in english, and they had to confirm what they were. Even though they were just regular toiletries, and she was from America, just not originally. It was just hair spray or deoderant or moisturizer or something like that.

I would not be surprised if they want to test it for any reason, they tend to be a bit highly strung at airports. You can make a bomb with ammonium nitrate just by mixing it with another substance, and to the casual eye I'd say it looks the same as SN. I defer to others though, I don't travel by air a lot, and I get freaked out at the thought of even transporting my medication.

Yes, I imagine they would want to test any powdered chemical. Honestly, I haven't flown in decades but I'm guessing they're more strict now. Still- like everyone else says- it's not an illegal substance but I would think they might ask you what you're using it for- if they do check it.

Don't mean to cause alarm but if they do open it up to test it, will it still be OK to use? Really don't know how important it is to keep it sealed- seems to be quite a few questions about that on here. Might just be worth bearing in mind.

 

[wljourney]

It's not an illegal substance, I would put it in the checked luggage and possibly only a small container not a 4 lb tub, that could raise questions.

 

[lionetta12]

Title basically

Any advice greatly appreciated

Thanks for asking the question, I was pondering about this most of today as well!

 

[Smart No More]

I would think that if you're open about it from the start and raise the question with the airline so they know ahead of time what to expect it will be fine but there is perhaps a better option in that you could mail it to your destination. That would potentially avoid it being opened and checked.

 

[Jrmull1993]

C4 is a highly stable substance too but I wouldn't bring it on a plane (Yeah thanks now I'm on a FBI watchlist).

Plasticized RDX (Which is what C4 is) is actually not banned from passenger airline transport as long as it's declared to the airline, and transported separately from its PETN based detonation cord or other detonating system.

https://www.atf.gov/explosives/docs/report/publication-federal-explosives-laws-and-regulations-atf-p-54007/download

 

[Sick of it all]

If they checked it would most likely be for the presence of common drugs. I don't think they have a full lab at the airport to test beyond drugs. I'd be cautious if you are traveling internationally(customs are prone to search, question, and test) but if you are flying domestic then it shouldn't be an issue since they rarely open a suitcase to search and rely on dogs and x-ray tech. If it looked weird on the x-ray then they might open your bag to test it for drugs. Just make sure it is labeled in a correct manner and you should be fine. Worse comes to worse make up a logical story on why you are transporting it just to cover your bases.

 

[want2dienow]

very stupid but i wouldn't be surprised

 

[veryhappyhuman]

I wouldn't risk it. SN itself isn't illegal yes, but :

a) It looks like a white powder and drug mules have been known to smuggle drugs in legit looking packed containers, so they'd at least want to test it. Which means they'd open the bottle, and keep it open for god knows how long, while testing. Even if ultimately they clear you, the bottle remaining open might damage the SN.
b) The SN needs to be labeled as used for curing. If you buy from, say, IC or a lab chemical vendor, the packaging could make them suspicious. Why'd an individual transport lab chemicals on a flight? Again they'd ultimately clear you (esp with a decent excuse) but I'd expect questioning.

 

[dabestrn]

Title basically

Any advice greatly appreciated

This is very limited info and not as easy to answer as some are alluding to. I did a quick google search and found several different laws about transport of SN in various countries. So it depends on where your flying to AND from and those country laws. In USA and Canada, it is illegal to transport "pure" chemical/quality SN unless you are a designated/qualified chemical company. And even they have to abide by specific shipping standards for SN. If it was 100% legal, there'd be no difficulty getting it shipped without being confiscated at customs. That all being said. Flying within your country, not crossing borders, putting a small quantity of anything in a checked suitcase is relatively easy to transport. I've also flown from foreign countries, placing rather small quantities of "non-approved" items in my check in. I'm pretty sure SN is not a K9/dog detectable substance. So placed in an transportation approved spice container, in checked bag, would probably go by with absolutely no problem, even if the bag was inspected. Anyway, search the government websites via google for approved chemicals for public transport. Best not to assume or get legal advice from strangers???

 

[Suicidebydeath]

Plasticized RDX (Which is what C4 is) is actually not banned from passenger airline transport as long as it's declared to the airline, and transported separately from its PETN based detonation cord or other detonating system.

https://www.atf.gov/explosives/docs/report/publication-federal-explosives-laws-and-regulations-atf-p-54007/download

I was joking mostly, but that produced an interesting read if a large document. I skimmed down to explosives storage and didn't find that section, I read between the lines that explosives should be kept separated from airport terminals though. You can transport a lot of things if you have a license for them. I'm surprised that C4/RDX can be transported on a passenger line but it probably comes with other caveats like being securely locked up in a magazine? I know that people get detained for hours for stuff like explosive residue.

This made me google something else which was to check if cargo holds were accessible during flight (google says yes?). I imagine one day airplanes would benefit from nanobots along with their fire suppression system. That led me to an article about shape-shifting cars and planes, I guess we'll have transformers and decepticons one day after all haha.

 

[👁️👃👁️]

Isn't it considered a hazardous chemical?

 

[Suicidebydeath]

Isn't it considered a hazardous chemical?

I think so. Hazmat on the basis of its toxicity. I know it has its uses in food storage and medical uses and is non-flammable. Hazards: Oxidizer, instability 1, health 3.

 

[LiesAndLigatures]

Extremely bad idea. Powders will get flagged, and oxidizers are on the banned substance list for the TSA (if you are American). This applies to both checked and carry-on luggage. If you have a final spot picked out, I reccomend shipping it to your own name at a post office in that area. Follow all applicable laws, and use the "curing meat" excuse. This is a common, legal method for things that can't travel on a plane. You don't have to explain, or even mention anything about your "hunting trip".

 

[Banshee]

Buy you're self some books on curing meats and throw it in your luggage as well. It would be a little less suspicious.