What is cheaper, UPS or FED-EX?

If shipping a handgun overnight, which is cheaper?

When I checked prices last week, they were within $3 of each other to return a MkII to Ruger from my place. Both were on the order of $38-$40.

Kharn

I know this doesn't answer your question, but just for future reference FedEx ground is normally up to 30% cheaper than UPS ground.

Doesn't apply to overnight...just thought someone might be interested to know.

brad cook

www.iship.com

Compare USPS, UPS. and FedEx, and see when each priced service will reach its destination, in an easy to read chart. It's wonderful.

Remember that guns must be shipping OVERNIGHT according to their own shipping requirements.

As I was just hired by FedEx yesterday, I've got to say GO FEDEX! Support your fellow High Roader. (Hey, I've got to show some loyalty to my new employer, right?)

Frank

just because i could i went to the iship chart and shipp a 10lb. package about the size of a 8in. revolver box..... 4 miles down the road...

fedex wanted $52 air
ups air was $48
usps express mail was $23

i think i need to start a shipping company.....

I used FED-EX a few weeks ago and it cost me $31 to ship a $400 pistol via overnight priority. I thought was high but it doesn't look like UPS will be any cheaper! What the hell? It shouldn't cost $50 to ship a stinking gun.:banghead:

If the gun is being shipped through a dealer, it can be shipped USPS. And can be shipped any way you would like, normal, prioirity or overnight.
And beleive you me it is a LOT cheaper.
But the shipper MUST be a FFL and have proper paperwork filled for them.

Hope this helps some.....

I just inquired with one local gun shop about shipping my Taurus to be repaired, this is where I bought the gun, this is also the local LEO supply house, all the cop equipment. They recommended shipping it myself because here in Illinois I would have to have a waiting period again even tho it is allready my gun, pretty stupid, yes. I will check with another shop I do my business with to get the cheapest route. It is not like it was my only gun, so a waiting period even tho highly insane would not be a big problem. I would really preffer having it come to a shop since I work days when it would be delivered. Jim.

UPS is slightly cheaper, but you get what you pay for. The Brown Trucks have lost some packages so big that you'd have to be Mr. Magoo not to see them. A nine-foot long carton of mine is still unaccounted for after 14 years. :rolleyes:

And USPS "Express Mail?" Yeah, I love paying nearly the same rate the other two carriers charge, and having the package delivered in nine days. I kid you not. Nine days for a letter that I paid $9 to send. I could have bought Juan Valdez's mule for less than that, and the mule would have gotten the letter there sooner.

Monkeyleg

That's funny, I mail handguns through USPS all the time, costs me about $10.00 to $15.00 for priority mail with insurance, less if you want to send it regular mail. USPS has always been good to me, maybe I've just been lucky so far.
Anyway why would anyone ship with UPS and FED X, when they make up the rules that all handguns must be shipped overnight, not required by any ATF.
Why............ so they can make more money and have more power and control. NO thanks. I ship UPS and FED X and little as possible.


sctman800,

I would check with Taurus and see who they LEGALLY have to send it to, They may have to return it to an FFL.
I had a situation like this a few years back and can't remember if my supplier could ship directly to my customer or if it was sent to a FFL for transfer.

I just checked the Taurus website and they "recomend" shipping through a FFL. I think this would be the way for me to go just so I don't have to worry about not being home for delivery. Jim.

Anyway why would anyone ship with UPS and FED X

I'll tell you why, BECAUSE I'M NOT AN FFL!!!

the only options for us non-FFL holding subjects is to ship via FedEx or UPS (and I've heard rumors that UPS won't ship for non FFLs any more).

I guess I get to find out for sure about UPS because I have a Kahr MK40 I need to ship to Houston on Monday.

You can ship handguns via UPS if you're not an FFL

I just shipped the Kahr via UPS (it has to go Next Day Air or Next Day Air Saver).


Price wise, FedEx and UPS are both with a couple of dollars of each other.

I wen't UPS because the UPS main office is only about 3 blocks from where I work, and the FedEx office is completely on the other side of town.

I have purchased and sold several firearms using either gunbroker.com and auctionarms.com.

Prices for shipping wil obviously vary due to weight obviously. The mistake I encounter most often involves the FFL transfer.

You do not have to be an FFL to ship, but an FFL must ALWAYS receive. USPS will only ship if you are an FFL, and UPS and FED-ex will only use their express services...NOT GROUND!

Here is the official shipping laws as published by Gunbroker.com:


This page provides information about Federal Laws, step that must be followed, and notes on using specific shippers when shipping firearms. This page is oriented toward the seller of an item. If you need information about how to buy a firearm through GunBroker.com, please refer to our Buyer's Tutorial.
This page contains information oriented toward persons shipping firearms within the United States. For sellers located outside the United States, please see our Import / Export Page.


Shipping Legalities
Federal Law requires that all modern firearms be shipped only to a holder of a valid Federal Firearms License (FFL). The recipient must be have an FFL; however the sender is not required to have one. Any person who is legally allowed to own a firearm is legally allowed to ship it to an FFL holder for any legal purpose (including sale or resale).
Here is exactly what the ATF 'Federal Firearms Regulations Reference Guide' (ATF P 5300.4) says:
(B9) May a nonlicensee ship a firearm by carrier?
A nonlicensee may ship a firearm by carrier to a resident of his or her own state or to a licensee in any state. A common or contract carrier must be
used to ship a handgun. In addition, Federal law requires that the carrier be notified that the shipment contains a firearm and prohibits common or contract
carriers from requiring or causing any label to be placed on any package indicating that it contains a firearm. [18 U. S. C. 922( a)( 2)( A) and 922( e), 27 CFR 178.31]

B8) May a nonlicensee ship a firearm through the U. S. Postal Service? [Back]
A nonlicensee may mail a shotgun or rifle to a resident of his or her own state or to a licensee in any state. Handguns are not mailable. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun. A nonlicensee may not transfer any firearm to a nonlicensed resident of another state. The Postal Service recommends that longguns be sent by registered mail and that no marking of any kind which would indicate the nature of the contents be placed on the outside of any parcel containing firearms.

'Antique' firearms need not be shipped to a licensed dealer. These can be shipped directly to the buyer. An antique firearm is a firearm built in or before 1898, or a replica thereof. The exact ATF definition of an antique firearm is:
Antique firearm. (a) Any firearm (including any firearm with a matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap, or similar type of ignition system) manufactured in or before 1898; and (b) any replica of any firearm described in paragraph (a) of this definition if such replica (1) is not designed or redesigned for using rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition, or (2) uses rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition which is no longer manufactured in the United States and which is not readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade.

Knives, air guns, accessories, and most gun parts need not be shipped to an FFL holder. We say most gun parts because each firearm contains at least one part that the ATF considers a firearm. This part is typically the part that contains the serial number. This part must be treated as a complete firearm when shipping the item.

Ammunition must be clearly identified as 'Small Arms Ammunition' on the outside of the box. Some shippers treat ammunition as dangerous or hazardous materials.

The section of the US Code that governs modern firearms is called Commerce in Firearms and Ammunition (CFA). This code is available online at: www.atf.treas.gov/regulations/27cfr178.html

When in doubt, we suggest arranging for transfer through a licensed dealer. Violation of the CFA is a felony and penalties for violation of it are severe.


Federal and State Law Resources
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) has a very comprehensive site containing information about the various Federal and state laws regulating firearms. Please refer to the ATF information for legal questions regarding firearms.
ATF Home page: http://www.atf.treas.gov
ATF Compilation of the various state laws: http://www.atf.treas.gov/firearms/statelaws/22edition.htm
ATF Firearms Division Main Page: http://www.atf.treas.gov/firearms/index.htm

Shipment by Unlicensed Persons
Any shipper who does not have a Federal Firearms License (FFL) is considered to be an 'unlicensed person'. This section contains information on how unlicensed persons can ship firearms. If you have an FFL, please skip to the next section for shipping suggestions.
The most important thing to know is that you must only ship guns to a licensed dealer. If the buyer is not a licensed dealer, he will have to make arrangements with a dealer in his state to ship the item to.

Before you ship a gun, the buyer must mail you a copy of the dealer's FFL license, signed in blue or red ink. You can only ship the gun to the address on the license. You must inform the carrier that the package contains a firearm. Of course, the firearm cannot be shipped loaded; ammunition may not be shipped in the same box. You should take the copy of the signed FFL with you when you take the item to be shipped in case the shipper wishes to see it.

Notes on specific shippers:

US Mail: An unlicensed person can ship a rifle or shotgun by US Mail. Unlicensed persons cannot ship a handgun by US Mail. Postal regulations allow the Post Office to open your package for inspection. Ammunition cannot be shipped by US Mail. You can search the US Post Offer Postal Explorer site for specific USPS regulations regarding firearms and ammunition.

FedEx: FedEx will only ship firearms via their Priority Overnight service. Ammunition must be shipped as dangerous goods.

UPS: UPS will accept handgun shipments by Next Day Air only. Rifles and shotguns can be shipped by UPS ground service. UPS will accept shipments of ammunition.

Most other shippers will no longer accept firearm shipments. Airborne and Roadway have specifically prohibited firearm shipments.


Shipment by Licensed Persons
Any shipper who has a Federal Firearms License (FFL) is considered to be a 'licensed person'. This section contains information on how licensed persons can ship firearms. If you do not have an FFL, please see the previous section of this page for for shipping instructions.
Since licensed persons are responsible for knowing the law, we are going to assume that you already understand the CGA and know the applicable Federal, state, and local laws.

Notes on specific shippers:

US Mail: Licensed persons can ship a rifle, shotguns, or handguns by US Mail. In fact, we suggest that you use the USPS as it is now the most cost-effective way to ship a handgun. To ship a rifle or shotgun, you need only inform the Post Office that the package contains a firearm. A licensed manufacturer, dealer, or importer can ship a handgun via the US Post Office if the licensed dealer fills out a US Post Office Form PS 1508 and files it with the local Post Office branch where the handgun is to be shipped. You can search the US Post Offer Postal Explorer site for specific USPS regulations regarding firearms and ammunition.

FedEx: FedEx will only ship firearms via their Priority Overnight service. Ammunition must be shipped as dangerous goods. NSSF members can sign up for a discount of up to 26% on FedEx shipments.

UPS: UPS will accept handgun shipments by Next Day Air only. Rifles and shotguns can be shipped by UPS ground service. UPS will accept shipments of ammunition.

Most other shippers will no longer accept firearm shipments. Airborne and Roadway have specifically prohibited firearm shipments.


Notes on USPS Firearm Regulations
We recommend that you read the Post Office regulations on Other Restricted or Nonmailable Matter before shipping a firearm through the US Mail.
The following info comes from the USPS Regulation DMM Issue 54, January 10, 1999, section C-024

Page C-39, section 3.0, Rifles and Shotguns: "Although unloaded rifles and shotguns not precluded by 1.1e and 1.2 are mailable, mailers must comply with the Gun Control Act or 1968, Public Law 90-618, 18 USC 921, et seq., and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, 27 CFR 178, as well as state and local laws. The mailer may be required by the USPS to establish, by opening the parcel or by written certification, that the gun is unloaded and not precluded by 1.1e."

Page C-39, section 6.0, PROHIBITED PARCEL MARKING: "For any parcel containing a firearm or a ballistic or switchblade knife, any marking that indicates the contents is not permitted on the outside wrapper or container."

The following pertains only to licensed dealers shipping handguns:

Page C-37, section 1.3, Authorized Persons: "Subject to 1.4, handguns may be mailed by a licensed manufacturer of firearms, a licensed dealer of firearms, or an authorized agent of the federal government......."

Page C-38, section 1.5, Manufacturers and Dealers: "Handguns may also be mailed between licensed manufacturers of firearms and licensed dealers of firearms in customary trade shipments, or for repairing or replacing parts."

Page C-38, section 1.6, Certificate of Manufacturers and Dealers: "A licensed manufacturer or dealer need not file the affidavit under 1.4, but must file with the postmaster a statement on Form 1508 signed by the mailer that he or she is a licensed manufacturer or dealer of firearms, that the parcels containing handguns (or major components thereof) are customary trade shipments or contain such articles for repairing or replacing parts, and that to the best of his or her knowledge or belief the addressees are licensed manufacturers or dealers of firearms."

One thing that i did not know was this:

"A nonlicensee may mail a shotgun or rifle to a resident of his or her own state or to a licensee in any state. "
(USPS)

It looks like a "regular" person can mail a rifle or shotgun to another "regular" person in his own state without having to deal with a FFL holder. Is that true? Did I miss something or is that the way it was meant to read?

That is my understanding...

Don't always believe what your FFL tells you. I have encountered many an FFL who are as clueless to the law as anybody else. :rolleyes:

Please familiarize yourselves with the current shipping laws in your state as well as regarding out of state transfers. It is not a difficult process... IF you know the law and are dealing with knowledgable people.

Both www.gunbroker.com and www.auctionarms.com have excellent information on shipping. Even stuff the folks behind the shipping counter do not know.

I got an AR recently :D and the Seller (who had an FFL) shipped it overnight - he was told by a clerk at FedEx that that was the law for ALL guns and wouldn't let him ship any other way. So, make sure you know and are armed with information before you go to FedEx and encounter an overzealous employee that doesn't know what he's talking about.:rolleyes:

Personal experience:


UPS (the brown guys): dealer was receiving a swedish mauser for me. It came in with an odd little hole in the side of the cardboard. After opening it up, discovered that the package had been mishandled to the point that the bolt handle had popped through the packaging, and later was sheered off completely. A bolt-action rifle, without a bolt! It was truely an amazing innovation

USPS: Rechargeable batteries. How hard would it be to screw this one up, right? Cartoon arrives empty, flattened, showing water damage, and in a appologetic plastic shrink wrap from the USPS stating that a 'accident' had occured.

Fedex loses stuff, but has yet to break anything.

When I checked prices last week, they were within $3 of each other to return a MkII to Ruger from my place. Both were on the order of $38-$40.

:barf: ouch.

I shipped a handgun to CZ a couple weeks ago. 2.2 lbs. UPS "next day saver" cost me $26.