How do you obtain Sodium metal in Canada or transport it across the border?
Natrium asked:
I cannot find anywhere in Canada to buy pure Sodium metal. Most places on the internet list it as a restricted material. I found Sodium being sold on eBay but only in the United States. They will not ship it internationally as the Postal Service does not allow it to be sent out of the country. I can have it shipped to a friend in the United States and have them bring it back to Canada the next time they travel. Will the airlines allow Sodium to be carried on a flight or to be put in checked baggage? If not, can it just be driven across the border? Another suitable solution for me would be to find someone selling it in Canada for a reasonable price. Does anyone know if there is somewhere an ordinary person can buy Sodium in Canada? Thanks.
Part of the reason why I want Sodium is because it relates to what I am studying in chemistry but my chemistry department is no longer allowed to order Sodium. I believe it is a new school board policy. So if I want to obtain Sodium, I need to do it by myself.
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I cannot find anywhere in Canada to buy pure Sodium metal. Most places on the internet list it as a restricted material. I found Sodium being sold on eBay but only in the United States. They will not ship it internationally as the Postal Service does not allow it to be sent out of the country. I can have it shipped to a friend in the United States and have them bring it back to Canada the next time they travel. Will the airlines allow Sodium to be carried on a flight or to be put in checked baggage? If not, can it just be driven across the border? Another suitable solution for me would be to find someone selling it in Canada for a reasonable price. Does anyone know if there is somewhere an ordinary person can buy Sodium in Canada? Thanks.
Part of the reason why I want Sodium is because it relates to what I am studying in chemistry but my chemistry department is no longer allowed to order Sodium. I believe it is a new school board policy. So if I want to obtain Sodium, I need to do it by myself.
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July 21st, 2008 at 10:45 am
Ask your chemistry department.
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:34 am
If you are doing this for a school project ask your teacher. There is a very good reason for sodium being a restricted material: it reacts VERY violently with water, if you absolutely must have it, im sorry but i dont know where to get it.
July 25th, 2008 at 2:05 am
Hai Natrium,
Sodium is a highly reactive material and is highly unstable.
Special precautions have to be taken in handling it.
In fact, sodium exposed to air or water, react violently and oxidize.
Hence, sodium is usually stored in kerosene.
Airlines, in general, do not allow carrying chemicals, and a highly violent one at that.
Best thing is to find a vendor(anywhere in the world, and not necessarily US or Canada) and have the vendor ship it to you, because they know how to handle it, how to pack it and how to transport it.
Even after receiving it, follow all the safety precautions to be taken while handling it.
July 25th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Although sodium metal is a restricted material, it CAN still be shipped to/within Canada if declared as a hazardous material and transported by special courrier. As a material that’s regulated by Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, it is usually not a good idea to bring the item across the US border undeclared. Also, it canNOT be transported by air, ground only.
If you can provide proof/ background of the kind of research you are doing with the sodium and you need a reasonable amount of metal, I may be able to help.