pairof44sp
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Just sold an LCR and had to pay UPS almost $100 for express shipping.
Does anyone know the cheapest way to ship firearms?
Does anyone know the cheapest way to ship firearms?
How to ship a sold handgun more cheaply?
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BreechFace
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BreechFace
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Wouldn't this require the shipping FFL to perform a transfer? I've never done that.
dogtown tom
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You take it to a dealer like me and I'll charge you $10 plus actual postage/insurance/adult signature +$10.
It will run less than half of what UPS/FedEx charge.
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/how-to-ship-firearms.651375/
dogtown tom
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Only if you want to pay more $.
Shipmygun has yet to beat USPS on handguns.
dogtown tom
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Well, you just did. You shipped a gun to an FFL. Thats a transfer of possession and identical to the transfer of possession you would do by handing that gun to your local gun dealer.
If you shipped that handgun interstate directly to the buyer you committed a federal felony.
Business's get heavy discount on shipping guns. So a) take it to a local FFL who will charge for the transfer but will only charge ~$25 to mail an LCR.
or b) See if the receiving FFL will issue you a shipping label from their account. You'd only pay their rate and the buyer would pay the transfer fee. Though these days many FFLs won't take incoming guns from unknown individuals.
Years ago, I was consulting with one of the high flying financial advising companies. Before Internet, so they had a subscription service where they would FedEx you overnight "important" alerts. Subscribers paid the going rate for FedEx overnight letter at the time, $25, for each alert. Turns out, for bulk business like this this company was only paying about $7 ea. Quite a racket as they were pocketing $18/alert/subscriber.
or b) See if the receiving FFL will issue you a shipping label from their account. You'd only pay their rate and the buyer would pay the transfer fee. Though these days many FFLs won't take incoming guns from unknown individuals.
Years ago, I was consulting with one of the high flying financial advising companies. Before Internet, so they had a subscription service where they would FedEx you overnight "important" alerts. Subscribers paid the going rate for FedEx overnight letter at the time, $25, for each alert. Turns out, for bulk business like this this company was only paying about $7 ea. Quite a racket as they were pocketing $18/alert/subscriber.
BreechFace
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You misunderstood my question.
I was asking if one goes to a local FFL/LGS and has them ship via USPS, do they have to record it as a transfer, meaning will I get charged a $20 FFL fee on top of the USPS costs?
Where did I ever suggest shipping directly to a buyer?
I've shipped guns directly to an FFL, where I don't have any FFL transfer charges on my end.
Seems to me one needs to weigh the shipping costs, combined with 2 transfer fees (if both are going to charge transfers on the sender/receiver - seller/buyer)
vs.
Sending personally, with only one FFL transfer fee on the receiver/purchasor end.
Armednfree
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You misunderstood my question.
I was asking if one goes to a local FFL/LGS and has them ship via USPS, do they have to record it as a transfer, meaning will I get charged a $20 FFL fee on top of the USPS costs?
Where did I ever suggest shipping directly to a buyer?
I've shipped guns directly to an FFL, where I don't have any FFL transfer charges on my end.
Seems to me one needs to weigh the shipping costs, combined with 2 transfer fees (if both are going to charge transfers on the sender/receiver - seller/buyer)
vs.
Sending personally, with only one FFL transfer fee on the receiver/purchasor end.
You can ship it directly to an FFL.
BreechFace
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I know this.
This thread is about what's a good way to ship firearms. I provided a link to a means of doing so and others provided another way which is going to an FFL and having them ship it. I'm merely pointing out that there will be FFL transfer fees on both ends of that transaction. So one must weigh the costs of the two options.
Option #1: Ship the firearm yourself to an FFL (only one FFL transfer fee is incurred, on the recipient end)
Option #2: Take firearm to local FFL, pay transfer fee, pay shipping fees and incur another transfer fee on the recipient end
OP
OP
pairof44sp
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If you work at a company that offers employees access to its shipping department, then you should check their prices. I used to work at a company with ridiculously low shipping rates (remember, check your company policy regarding guns, that way you can declare "gun" on the form).
Also, can guns be shipped 2nd day FedEx instead of overnight? I kind of remember. I guess it'll depend on FedEx policy.
Also, can guns be shipped 2nd day FedEx instead of overnight? I kind of remember. I guess it'll depend on FedEx policy.
OP
OP
pairof44sp
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Pretty sure it’s overnight.
I just checked with my LGS, and they’re going to charge me just as much.
maybe I need to look for a local FFL who works out of his garage
dogtown tom
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Again, YES, its a transfer and the dealer is required to record it in his bound book. Whether he charges you a fee is entirely separate as is how much he charges.
If you think his $20+ postage is too high.....find a cheaper FFL.
You didn't. But you also didn't mention whether you shipped interstate, intrastate or whether you shipped to a an FFL.Where did I ever suggest shipping directly to a buyer?
It violates UPS/FedEx terms, but is perfectly legal under Federal law to ship a firearm directly to a buyer who resides in your state.
And that was a transfer. You aren't responsible for transfer fees paid by the buyer.
Why on earth would you pay transfer fees incurred by the buyer?
It's HIS RESPONSIBILITY to find a licensed dealer and HIS RESPONSIBILITY to pay that dealer that he chose. How do you know the buyer wouldn't choose a dealer who charges $50 or more for an incoming transfer?
vs.
vs.
Paying a transfer fee and USPS postage/insurance/adult signature at less than half the $$$ of doing it yourself.
A licensed dealer can use a USPS Medium Flat Rate box, insurance of $1000 with Adult Sig on delivery.........for a whopping $35.50
If your dealer charges you $20 to package and ship.....$55.50 total................since you just paid "almost $100" don't you see the bargain?
dogtown tom
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Option#1 is more expensive.......you have to follow the common carriers tariff. UPS Next Day and FedEx Overnight are the most expensive level of service.
Option#2 is faaaarrrrr cheaper, but only licensed dealers and manufacturers can mail a firearm other than a rifle or shotgun.
Again, what do you as the seller care about the transfer fees paid by the buyer? It's HIS CHOICE, not yours.
dogtown tom
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Not at all true. The discounts for FFLs and any other business are exactly the same. Bud's, Palmetto, Kentucky Gun? Sure, they get massive discounts because they are shipping thousands of guns a day. Not so with your LGS.
Again, thats not going to be as inexpensive as the sellers dealer mailing via USPS. If the receiving dealer sends the seller a USPS shipping label, both he and the seller are in serious violation of federal law. AGAIN, ONLY licensed dealers and manufacturers can mail a firearm other than a rifle or shotgun.
For twelve years I've happily accepted guns shipments from nonlicensees.....but that day may be ending soon. Far too many nonlicensees shipping guns with little care and no clue as to how to properly box up a gun to prevent damage.
CapnMac
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Even if the FFL at the LGS closest to your house charges $50, the ten bucks for a USPS Priority Large box is still cheaper than the c-note UPS wants.
And, UPS often will balk at shipping handguns, unless you go to a Regional shipping center (e.g. not a store front). FedEx is even more obstinate.
Might be worth stopping at the post office and getting a Priority mail box (they are flat and often not held at the counter, as you don't pay until it ships) and put the recipient's contact info & FFL address on that box might help sweeten the deal at the LGS. Maybe pick up a pistol rug or a box of ammo to help ring up a sale for the FFL.
And, UPS often will balk at shipping handguns, unless you go to a Regional shipping center (e.g. not a store front). FedEx is even more obstinate.
Might be worth stopping at the post office and getting a Priority mail box (they are flat and often not held at the counter, as you don't pay until it ships) and put the recipient's contact info & FFL address on that box might help sweeten the deal at the LGS. Maybe pick up a pistol rug or a box of ammo to help ring up a sale for the FFL.
George P
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You cannot ship from their office stores, you must go to the shipping hub
HOWARD J
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UPS wanted $85 to ship a handgun for repairs.
Gun Mfr was willing to send me a $50 prepaid shipper----i SAID TO HECK WITH IT & REPAIRED THE GUN MYSELF
Gun Mfr was willing to send me a $50 prepaid shipper----i SAID TO HECK WITH IT & REPAIRED THE GUN MYSELF
dogtown tom
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In the twelve years I've been an FFL, USPS Priority Mail FRB's have never been $10 for the Large.......currently its $21.90 not including insurance or Adult Signature on delivery. The Medium FRB is $15.50 not including insurance or Adult Sig.
Of course they balk, UPS has prohibited shipping firearms from The UPS Store or any third party retailer for over a decade. UPS Stores are franchisees and not company owned.
Not really. FedEx tariff clearly allows shipping firearms from any FedEx Office location. Those are company owned. FedEx doesn't allow shipping from a third party retailer like Office Depot or Staples.
Don't put anything on the box. Any dealer worth shipping a gun through out to be able to print his own shipping label after running the receiving dealers FFL# through ATF EzCheck.
What you CAN do for your dealer is bring him an unloaded gun, the receiving dealers FFL copy and a packing slip with the buyer/transferees name and phone# (for the receiving dealer). Don't wrap, tape, prepackage anything. The dealer is required to log that gun into his bound book.
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