fff - 29-11-2019 at 10:52
Given that some chemicals are available here but illegal somewhere, and some vice versa, is it good to hoard these chemicals while still available
here?
B(a)P - 29-11-2019 at 11:20
It depends what they are, many have a limited shelf life so buying them before you need them will be a waste of money if they are too degraded to use
by the time you need them.
It also depends on your regulatory environment. Is your government focused on illegal drugs and/or terrorism? If not maybe nothing will change.
Which chemicals are you talking about?
woelen - 29-11-2019 at 11:50
Many many chemicals have unlimited shelf life, provided they are stored in perfectly sealed containers. Many chemicals also keep well in less than
perfect containers. Many inorganics are stable, but are hygroscopic. Some reducing agents slowly pick up oxygen. Some alkalies tend to pick up CO2,
making carbonates in the process. This kind of things can be taken care of by keeping them in glass containers, with metal caps or very thick plastic
caps. I store many chemicals in Schott Duran reagent bottles, with GL 32 or GL 45 caps, tightly screwed on the bottle. Perfect for long-term storage.
Some chemicals need to be ampouled in glass, because no other container will keep them contained indefinitely. To mention a few: Br2, PCl3, PCl5,
SO2Cl2, SOCl2, PBr3, PBr5, POCl3, NbCl5, SnCl4.
I would not stockpile on specific drugs precursors or forbidden explosives. It is not worth it. Some chemicals are borderline, because they can be
used for illegal purposes, but also have many legit uses. Think of acetic anhydride, propionic anhydride, benzaldehyde. I have some of this class of
chemicals. They are watched over here, but possession of them is not illegal, and some suppliers even sell them to private persons, albeit that a
declaration of use may be asked.
Sulaiman - 29-11-2019 at 19:16
As you know, in the UK we have EPP regulations, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/licensing-for-hom...
when the authorities want to ban a chemical or class of chemicals they give a period of warning,
then during a second period it is supposed to be not available for purchase but OK to own or use,
after that you are not allowed to buy, sell, use or posess the restricted item(s) without an EPP license.
So if you hoard chemicals that become restricted you will have to ;
use up all of your stock within the second period
(typically one year, but could be much less depending upon politics)
or
live in fear of a knock on your door
or
hope for the best
or
get an EPP license
Your choice 
j_sum1 - 29-11-2019 at 20:23
Hoarding is a great idea when the alternative is disposal.
More than half of my chems have been salvaged from situations where they would otherwise have been dumped. (one school. One retiring hobbyist.) I am
happy to hoard until I get to use them.
yobbo II - 4-12-2019 at 11:28
Hoarding and Chemicals should never be used in the same sentence :-|
arkoma - 4-12-2019 at 14:25
I hoard chems....... Some of them I keep elsewhere than my house because certain combinations of reagent''s can be misconstrued. I tell my friends
that think I have rocks in my head that it ain't no different than a fisherman and their tackle box. Lures are expensive, and it's a hobby thing that
ain't about the money. My glass and chems are my equivalent of Rapala Minnows and fancy crank baits 
morganbw - 4-12-2019 at 15:09
I do not hoard chemicals but I do have some chemicals which I purchased three decades ago. Hopefully I will get around to using them before I expire.