UPS charges the hazardous materials fee. If you have friends that need powder, pool your order together. The charge is the same for 1# as it is for 1 case of 12 cans. Otherwise, buy it from a local store as they buy by the case so that fee is apportioned accordingly. Of course, local stores have expenses and need to make a profit too, plus purchasing local requires paying sales tax.....
I would gladly pay sales tax, and even more per can as I don't burn enough t really make a huge difference in price per trigger pull. The problem is local shops don't carry much if any at all. Just going to have to make a run to a bigger city I guess or suck it up and pay the fees. Thanks guys.
Sometimes online retailers like Midway, Grafs, and Midsouth waive the HazMat fees for minimum orders. I would subscribe to a bunch of email lists, get 2-3 guys together and plan on ordering a bunch of powder and some primers when you see someone offering that deal. As we get closer to Black Friday it will more than likely happen. I did it last year on an order from Graf's and they even let me add black powder to the order.
Would the local shop be willing to add your powder to the next order?
As you are in IA, they may be able to ship to you via Speedee Delivery - you may have to ask. Used them and Speedee to get some powder shipped to me here in MO a few years back - definitely cheaper than UPS and their hazmat charges.