Scepter has chosen to ban all civilian sales of these world-class jerry cans due, apparently, to the patchwork of bans associated with "Carb" laws and air quality. The government is allowed to "pollute" the air but us po'folk civilians cannot, apparently. The term "serf" springs to mind.......

They will allow sales to .mil in the USA only but can be purchased by anyone in Canada at reasonable prices.

I am in the market for 3 20L gas cans and an associated pour spout - which they will not sell to US citizens either. Is anyone interested helping out by acting as a middleman? Sale of these items between individuals, even in CA is not illegal.

DS Tactical in New Westminster, BC has them:

https://dstactical.com/product_info.php ... 4193be8358

As does Brigade in GA but they only sell to .mil

http://www.brigadeqm.com/store/qsearch/ ... ry=scepter

Anyone crossing the border to Vancouver? I will make it worth your while!

Will they ship to Alaska? Or I do have a contact across the dash line.

I would like a few as well. and could get them to you at discount freight.

paul

No shipments to USA. I tried to order from 2 Canadian sellers and neither will ship to USA.

I just tried ordering 8 scepter cans and two spouts. the order went through so far. Do they email you later saying they can't ship to USA or something? If the order comes through I'll send some your way for cost and shipping. If the order doesn't go through I may still be able to get some. I have a friend that lives in Vancouver and works down here, back and forth everyday, she might be willing to get some for me.

I assume you ordered from DS Tactical. My order was canceled later via a "Dear US Citizen" e-mail.

The "drive them across the border" option appears to be the most viable solution.

It is hard for me to wrap my mind around this ban coupled with the fact that .mil and apparently .gov can use them. Can a gas can serve as a metaphor for our continuing loss of rights and freedoms? It stinks the same flavor as the "Safe Gun" policy in Calif which the .gov and .mil are exempt from.

To my knowledge, these cans are the only ones certified for the shipment of gasoline on aircraft. And .gov is doing its damnedest to prevent us from having them and thus forcing us to use less safe containers. "These items are OK for us entitled folk cuz we are taking care of you. Not good for you tax-paying citizens with an honest need." I am nauseated...

In any case, I appreciate your efforts on my/our behalf.

Mark,

I don't think that the Scepter cans are actually "approved for transport of gasoline in aircraft" in the United States. I'd be interested to see if that's the case.

The laws regarding gasoline storage in this country are pretty complex, and the hazmat shipment regs are even more complex. Don't try to understand those--they'll really make you nuts.

I suspect that's why Scepter won't sell them in US, is liability from someone trying to ship gasoline via common carrier in these cans in the US, not due to environmental regs, but who knows..

In any case, I seriously doubt it's a government conspiracy.

Show me where these cans are "approved" for transport of gasoline by air in the United States, por favor? I'm not being a smart ass, these are very complex regs.

MTV

Just showing my ignorance here, but would the water jug serve the same purpose? Other than saying "water", is there much of a difference? I ask, because it looks like BQ will ship those.

I too would be interested in something other than the cheapo red 6 gallon plastic jugs.

Also might find someone on Ebay willing to ship. Just a thought...

gb

Edit: Picked up 2 on EBay, paid through the nose for them. $69 each.

I ordered cans from a distributor in Kewlona, BC and they dropped them at Langley airport.

I happen to go to the Lower Mainland pretty frequently and flying to Langley airport and museum is not a bad day trip.

For the rest of the country, I don't have much of an answer unless someone is willing to drive a supply across the border and ship them; however, the shipping costs for a 20L can is pretty stiff.

I think the liability issue is probably dead on for why they don't ship to the US. Then again those flimsy red cans that the auto supply stores sell don't seem to be worried.

The Sceptre cans are great and I have yet to have a whiff of gas fumes from one even if it falls over while full and the plastic is at least twice as thick as the cheap red cans.

TD

Okay, got notice from DS Tactical that they can't ship scepter products to US. I'm going to get ahold of my friend and see if she will pick up some for me and bring them down.

gbflyer wrote:Just showing my ignorance here, but would the water jug serve the same purpose? Other than saying "water", is there much of a difference? I ask, because it looks like BQ will ship those.

If your talking about the cans we used in th emilitary, the water cans are identical, except of course they say water on them

The only reason Scepter will not sell these in the USA is air quality "CARB" regulations. See below.

In so far as anyone can read/interpret DOT/HazMat, the Scepter cans are the only ones on the approved list. Supporting data below.

As far as water cans being used for fuel, they are not approved (thus, defeating part of the purpose) and use different materials for the lid gasket. In addition, the water pour spouts would not be very useful for fuel and Scepter will not sell the correct pour spouts for fuel because they are not CARB compliant.

I never stated that I believed this was a "government conspiracy", but I do believe it is one more example of the "us" versus "them" attitude where .gov can violate the very laws they are entrusted to make and enforce. How can something be legal for .gov and not be legal for civilians? What is just about depriving me of that which they keep for themselves?


From a distributor's web site (that was copied from a former Scepter web site):

These cans meet DOT regulations as well as exceeding the United Nations Transportation of Dangerous Goods Model Regulations, the only fuel can on the market to meet these strict guidelines.

From the current Scepter.com

Scepter's objective is to serve military end-users with MFCs, associated accessories and parts produced to meet stringent military specifications. Civilian standards and guidelines may differ between regions and countries, and in some cases prohibit the use of our MFCs outside a military application -[b] like CARB regulations. The Scepter Military Fuel Cans and accessories are not CARB compliant. For more information about buying Scepter MFCs for military applications in the USA, please contact [email protected]. For non-USA requirements and uses, please contact one of the distributors below.

The Scepter MFC is qualified and registered under the United Nations Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. Its recommendations on package testing are adopted by Governmental and modal regulatory authorities around the globe in accordance with standard UN resolutions.

For example the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Maritime Organization both govern packaging requirements conforming to the UN recommendations.

In Canada the ministry responsible for administering Canadian compliance with the UN resolution is Transport Canada. By extension Transport Canada administers the continued compliance and registration of a product like Scepter's MFC validating its conformance with the UN resolution.

From a Distributor's Web Site.

Scepter fuel cans meet or exceed the following standards:

*MIL-C-53109

*The United Nations recommendation on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (ST/SG/AC 10/I) - Supersedes DOT-34

*The ICAO technical instruction for the Safe Transportation of Dangerous Goods by Air (ref.# 9284)

*The National Standard of Canada for Performance Packaging for Transportation of Dangerous Goods (CAN/CGSB-43.150-97)


Scepter is on the UN list for containers. No other commercially available can is.

www.tc.gc.ca/tdg/moc/smoc/suppliers.html

Here is the answer I got from the Scepter folks:

Hello Tom.

Thank you for your enquiry.
Our MFCs do not comply with new EPA regulations for portable fuel containers.
As such, they can no longer be sold to civilians in the USA (military is exempt).
Unfortunately, this extends to spares and accessories.
At this time we have no plans to make this can comply with EPA.


Looks like personal import is the only way to go now.

Tom

"Looks like personal import is the only way to go now. "

I think I heard that somewhere.....

If you buy new or used cans, make sure you have the correct lids for your use. The neoprene seals are for water and JP/diesel. They will deteriorate and eventually leak when used with gas (don't ask how I know this...). A guy on AR15.com will sell you the correct gasoline gaskets. They are composed of a material called Viton.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b ... 6&t=620807

Of course I might be wrong about all of this too.

I tried a couple of those cans and didnt like them at all. Maybe in a cool climate but they got really fat on the Jeep.

I have several of the NATO cans and love them. Way better in my book. I read about all the African trips and how people love those cans but I sure didnt have those results. I ended up giving the case away.

mr scout wrote:I have several of the NATO cans and love them. Way better in my book.

I'll second the enthusiasm for the NATO cans. I've got ten of 'em, and have been using them for about 15 years in various ways. They are tough, far less likely to leak at the lid, and pour well. Some of mine were purchased brand new for $15, some as low as $10 for used. Lately I've seen them for $15 for used.

It might be fun to have a gas can drop at the next Austin fly-in to see what cans hold up best. The gun dudes could finish them off.

tom

Mr. Scout and Savannah Tom:

What can(s) are you referring to? Picture and/or source would be appreciated. Old NATO were metal and had a "flap" style lid that was held on by a bail.

The Scepter cans ARE current NATO.

It is almost certain that those cans and their pour spouts are also illegal and unavailable due to a lack of "CARB" compliance.

Theres a guy selling them on craigs list...ALASKA listing

mil. surplus.....

has a number of them and water cans too


p

Thanks GLacierCub

Interesting. Same pix are in an e-bay ad and fuel cans are $69 vs $79 on AK Craigslist. Craigslist says cans are in AK. E-bay says GA.

http://anchorage.craigslist.org/rvs/984830332.html

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... %26otn%3D2

Problem with these cans is composition of lid gasket and proposed fuel use. See my previous post above.

One more question: CARB stands for California Air Research Board, I believe. CARB regulations do not apply to the rest of the US, and has nothing to do with the EPA. Why would these guys keep referencing CARB requirements just for import into US?

And, as far as meeting the "ICAO standards for air shipment", if anyone gets hold of one of these babies, I suggest you fill it with gasoline, take it down to your local airline, and see if you can get them to ship it......Good luck with that.

So, as someone else suggested, how is it you can buy those cheap ass red plastic cans, which by the way, are made in China, generally, in the US, but not these? Like the lids on those lawn mower cans are "EPA and CARB compliant"??? Right!!

Something fishy about this whole deal, it seems to me.

MTV

I wonder i f it has anything to do with product liability insurance premiums in the US vs Canada....I hear they are not sue-happy up there....and rather than admit it is a problem with "yanks" it's easier to blame regulations....just a thought