Fuel canisters: OK to mail? Ability to buy in towns?

[annemcguffey]

I'm starting my AZT thru-hike in a week, and hoping to mail fuel canisters in my resupply boxes. Postal regulations say you can do this, although I've heard that sometimes a post office will not allow it. Has anyone had experience mailing fuel canisters in Arizona? How about purchasing fuel along the way? I appreciate any information on this topic - thank you!

[rcorfman]

I've never done it, but my understanding is that the parcel must be sent by ground and properly marked with an ORM-D label.

[chumley]

Shipping via US Mail is permitted domestically ... by surface transport only. No Priority/Express Mail which is shipped by air!

If a post office tells you that you can't ship it, feel free to share their own regulations with them.

Fun reading for you (and them if needed):
Hazardous Mail: http://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/welcome.htm
By Specific Material: http://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52apxa.htm
(look for butane, isobutane, and petroleum gasses)
Stove Fuel Packaging Instructions: http://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52apxc_004.htm

If you wish to buy fuel along the trail, the only places that are guaranteed to have some are Flagstaff and the south rim of Grand Canyon.

Sierra Vista, Tuscon, Phoenix (Mesa), and Payson will have certain opportunities to purchase fuel, but they are well away from the trail.

[Nighthiker]

Fuel canisters are available in Payson (Big Five and Wal-Mart) but not in Pine or Strawberry.

[rcorfman]

Fuel canisters are available in Payson (Big Five and Wal-Mart) but not in Pine or Strawberry.

Is anything available in Strawberry, isn't it sort of like an imaginary place?

[Nighthiker]

The Strawberry market only had the one pound LPG cylinder. The other stores in Pine and Strawberry did not have any fuel cylinders/canisters duty my visit late last month.

[annemcguffey]

Thanks for the helpful info on availability of fuel in communities near/on the trail. I had a feeling it might be difficult to find. Links to postal regs are much appreciated also. :-)