Shipping Firearms

Status
Not open for further replies.
S

sideways

Member
Joined
Mar 7, 2010
Messages
97
Location
N.Kentucky
I am not a FFL holder so what is involved with shipping out of state is customary that FFL will charge for shipping plus actual carrier cost and then to receive if you are doing some trading. Can I just ship to a FFL in another state?:confused:
 
6:00 am Sunday morning and we have our first shipping question this week!

Call the receiving FFL and ask what they require. Call several FFLs in the receiving state and see what they require. It's up to the receiving FFL what they will or will not accept.

You can ship a rifle to an FFL in any state by UPS, FEDEX or US Post Office.
You can ship a handgun to an FFL in any state by UPS or FEDEX.

An FFL on your end is going to charge you a transfer fee + shipping. Call around and figure out who is cheapest. I would expect to pay about $50 total for the sending FFLs fees + shipping.
 
Thanks Navy,From your reply sounds like this is frequently ask question maybe sticky would prevent gumming up the works.
 
Now that you have the sticky I'll just add my experience. I used to ship guns through UPS myself to the receiving FFL. With the increased cost of the next day morning delivery requirement that UPS has I have found it considerably cheaper to take it to my local gun shop (that I frequently do business with) and have them ship it for me. They can ship with much cheaper rates and only tack on a nominal fee.

Of course YMMV depending on your LGS.
 
Ringer said:
Now that you have the sticky I'll just add my experience. I used to ship guns through UPS myself to the receiving FFL. With the increased cost of the next day morning delivery requirement that UPS has I have found it considerably cheaper to take it to my local gun shop (that I frequently do business with) and have them ship it for me. They can ship with much cheaper rates and only tack on a nominal fee.
Click to expand...
The above is only valid when discussing handguns.

Long guns can be sent via US Mail, or UPS at any of their service levels (long guns do not have to go overnight at UPS).

FedEx is more restrictive when it comes to gun shipments with non-licensees involved.
 
I ship my handguns via USPS through my FFL. He allows me to go to the post office pay for the shipping, return to the shop, drop off the package to him, he places his license in it, and ships it out. I usually tell the Post Master I am shipping a handgun, before I bring it in to pack it up. She usually ask me what kind, how it shoots, etc...her husband is a gun enthusiast as well, and she enjoys seeing what they feel like, etc. Have never had any issues. Then depending on what I am doing selling, trading, etc. My FFL will only charge me once ($15.00) for the transfer when I pick up whatever I am getting.
 
CalebJns,

If a non-FFL brings a handgun onto Post Office property, they are violating Federal Regulations (39 CFR 232.1) and subject to 30 days imprisonment and $5,000 fine. The regulation prohibits the possession of firearms on Post Office property except for "official purposes". Since a non-FFL is prohibited from mailing handguns via the US Post Office, I think it would be a pretty weak argument in court that they possessed the handgun in order to find out how much it would cost to mail it. Long guns would be easier to defend, since non-FFLs can mail long guns via USPS.

You are lucky you have pro-gun employees at your Post Office. A person encountering anti-gun Post Office employees might not fare as well as you have.

I would recommend a non-FFL to have their handgun containing packages weighed and buy US Postage at a retail outlet that provides such service such as Mail and More or at a US Post Office outlet counter located in a retail store, since the mere possession of a firearm would not be prohibited there.
 
Yes, you guys who do the legwork for your FFLs only need to get a USPS flat rate box that your handgun will fit into.

No taking your roscoe to the PO with you for a height and weight check, or as NavyLT says, you might go to jail.
 
I am fully aware of that...I went in and PERSONALLY spoke to the Post Master. My FFL ships through them, and they have their PO box there as well. I wanted to BE UP FRONT about what I was doing. My FFL (whom I use A LOT) doesn't charge me anything extra. He does his best to fair across the board. He is usually super busy when I need to ship a pistol. not to mention if I go to the Post Office for him, he usually wont charge me a transfer fee...But when I do go, I ALWAYS check with the Post Master FIRST, to make sure it is still ok...I refuse to deal with anyone other than the Post Master. I typically do get a flat rate box, but I also get a delivery confirmation, insurance, and a tracking number...you can't pay for that if you just pick a box up...it is placed on it, when you turn it in...thus he allows me to pay for all my shipping up front,
 
CalebJns said:
I am fully aware of that...I went in and PERSONALLY spoke to the Post Master. My FFL ships through them, and they have their PO box there as well. I wanted to BE UP FRONT about what I was doing.
Click to expand...
It is fortunate you've not been prosecuted.

What you're doing is a Federal crime, no matter if your FFL gives you permission.
CalebJns said:
I typically do get a flat rate box, but I also get a delivery confirmation, insurance, and a tracking number...you can't pay for that if you just pick a box up
Click to expand...
Sure you can. You just tell them at the counter that you want insurance, del conf and whatever else you want when you pay for the postage. Since it's a flat rate box, it doesn't need any contents to do these things.
 
I guess I am luck to have Firearm friendly Post Master...does the same apply to black powder pistols? I have taken a few in to package them up (with the Post Masters Approval of course). What would the difference be if my FFL took it in to ship it? There is a copy of his license in the box, they verify before they seal it up.

I am not trying to do anything illegal, I guess I should have made the initial post to say that my FFL ships via USPS, I typically drop it off and pay the shipping.

And not that location would determine anything, but they are in the same parking lot (location), usually I walk from one to the other...
 
In addition your FFL is violating another Federal law.......HE can mail handguns through the USPS but must also hand them a Form 1508 with each firearm shipment.
 
I am not aware of the forms he presents to the Post Office, I will inquire and find out though...in all the years of shipping and receiving firearms, I don't think I have ever seen an FFL use that form...doesn't mean they shouldn't have been doing, just haven't seen anyone present one before....I pulled one up online and looked at it, and it looks like it was revised in '94...I have to stop by tomorrow and pick a gun up, I will inquire on that form as well...
 
FedEx is more restrictive when it comes to gun shipments with non-licensees involved.
Click to expand...

Completely FALSE. I will only use Fedex to ship to someone's FFL - it goes 3-day business for the same as USPS with an actual tracking number and signature proof of delivery. My Fedex folks always jokingly ask if it is a rifle or shotgun -(they seem to see a LOT of them through this location)
 
oneounceload said:
nalioth said:
FedEx is more restrictive when it comes to gun shipments with non-licensees involved.
Click to expand...
Completely FALSE. I will only use Fedex to ship to someone's FFL - it goes 3-day business for the same as USPS with an actual tracking number and signature proof of delivery. My Fedex folks always jokingly ask if it is a rifle or shotgun -(they seem to see a LOT of them through this location)
Click to expand...
False? Read it again.

FedEx will not allow non-licensees to exercise their rights and ship firearms to other non-FFL-holding residents of their state.

If you ship a firearm with FedEx, an FFL must be involved somewhere on the route.
 
Sorry - I have done it recently with several guns - they had no issues with it, they were told what it was, the guns were insured and sent promptly - it WENT to an FFL as the shipments were out of state, but I as the shipper had no issues on my end
 
oneounceload said:
Sorry - I have done it recently with several guns - they had no issues with it, they were told what it was, the guns were insured and sent promptly - it WENT to an FFL as the shipments were out of state, but I as the shipper had no issues on my end
Click to expand...
Nobody is disputing anything you've said.

You have misunderstood what I am saying:

Read carefully:
FedEx said:
Firearms
Carrier will transport and deliver firearms as defined by the United States Gun Control Act of 1968, between areas served in the U.S., but only between:
Licensed importers; licensed manufacturers; licensed dealers; licensed collectors; law enforcement agencies of the U.S.or any department or agency thereof; and law enforcement agencies of any state or any department, agency or political subdivisions thereof; or
Where not prohibited by local, state and federal law, from individuals to licensed importers, licensed manufacturers or licensed dealers (and return of same).
FedEx Tariff - Prohibited Articles
Click to expand...

UPS allows intrastate shipments of any firearm to any other state resident, in accordance with federal law. FedEx policies restrict firearms to being shipped only to an FFL holder.

Ergo, the following is correct:
nalioth said:
FedEx is more restrictive when it comes to gun shipments with non-licensees involved.
Click to expand...
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

B
  • Locked
The idiot's guide to shipping firearms?
Replies
8
Views
872
EOD Guy
E
Orion8472
  • Locked
Can I ship a rifle myself to an FFL?
Replies
15
Views
680
Orion8472
Orion8472
F
  • Locked
Shipping a gun intrastate
Replies
6
Views
494
Gator
G
O
  • Locked
Please recommend FFL for transfers and shipping in Huntsville/Madison Alabama
Replies
2
Views
423
donato
D
T
  • Locked
Why all the disinformation about shipping long guns?
Replies
17
Views
679
Slugless
S
Back
Top