UPS Drama

DTakas · Mar 30, 2009

I went to ship a firearm PART today at a UPS store. This was not a receiver and not a whole gun just a part. (the slide to a Glock specifically). The company I was shipping it to had Firearms in the name and the lady asked if it was a firearm. I said it was not. She asked what it was and I told her “machine parts.” I paid and left. Aperantly after I left they felt the need to “inspect” due to the red flag raised by the name of who it was being sent to and upon opening it found parts to a gun.
The lady called me and insisted that she could not ship this it could only be shipped through the hub, and that she called (whoever it is they call) to confirm this. She says they told her parts aren’t allowed because one person could ship half the parts and another ship the other half and the receiver would have a functional firearm at the other end.
I explained to her there is no legal way to do that, because even if you break down a gun into all it’s pieces one of the pieces is still technically a gun. I told her it’s usually the main part all the other parts bolt onto and it has the serial number on it. I explained that even though that’s just a part it’s still technically a firearm and would have to be shipped as such.
The lady was polite and insisted she had to do what she was told when she called to ask about it. I told her I understood, but I was 100% positive it was legal to ship this and about 95% sure it was OK with UPS policy.
When I got home I looked it up and it seems to me IT IS OK TO SHIP PARTS through regular USP.

Here’s a link to UPS page on the matter:
http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/ship/packaging/guidelines/firearms.html

Has anyone else had these kinds of problems, or know how I can go about setting this straight for next time?

AK103K · Mar 30, 2009

I hate UPS and dont use them at every opportunity, either way, coming or going. They are uncooperative, slow and expensive.

I'd just send it through the post office, Priority Mail, insured, with delivery confirmation. It'll be there in 2 days most anywhere in the country and at about half or less the cost.

alanjtc73n · Mar 30, 2009

You can ship firearm parts through UPS but it has to go through their hub or driver pick up. They don't want parts going through drop boxes, UPS stores, third party (stores like staples or mailboxes etc.). Just look up customer locations to find out where you can ship them out of. Probably not worth trying to explain why parts are not guns since she was just stating UPS policy and didn't seem to want to understand. I've had no problems shipping AR15 uppers through UPS. Just had to run down into town to bring it to their customer service center.

WC145 · Mar 30, 2009

AK is right - USPS priority mail is the only way to go. Cheaper too. I sent my cylinder to Robar that way, no problems.

Acera · Mar 30, 2009

Yeah, I had to go to the hub to ship 10 rounds of ammo. They just put a blue sticker on it and put it with all the other stuff.

I did have have an attendant ask me if I was shipping a gun when I wanted to insure a box with a 50 cal upper in it for $1K. Now the box was the same one my AK had come in, but I had removed or covered up all the markings that would have identified it's original or it's new contents. Just told her no, it's machine parts and went ahead and insured it for less, telling her I could make another one. She seem pleased with that answer and the part got to it's destination on time.

Problem seems to be addresses that raise the flags. If I am to ship parts back to a gun maker, dealer, or some address with gun, firearm, or an known maker, I will probably use their initials in the future. No need to draw attention.

DTakas · Mar 30, 2009

You can ship firearm parts through UPS but it has to go through their hub or driver pick up. They don't want parts going through drop boxes, UPS stores, third party (stores like staples or mailboxes etc.)

I don't think that's true. I don't think parts require any special treatment. This is from UPS webpage I linked to:

UPS accepts firearm parts for shipment, provided the part is not a "firearm" as defined under federal law; the contents of the package cannot be assembled to form a firearm; and the package otherwise complies with federal, state, and local law. (Note: Receivers or frames of a firearm, firearm mufflers and silencers are considered "firearms" and are accepted for transportation only if shipped in accordance with UPS's requirements for shipping firearms.)

That really sounds like it's fine to me. Parts accepted frames and receivers accepted with special requirements.

NavyLCDR · Mar 30, 2009

+1 USPS Priority Mail. Flat Rate Box or by weight, whichever is cheaper.

Faster, cheaper, less hassle.

You were correct that UPS was full of malarky when they stated a gun can be shipped in several pieces - the frame or receiver IS the firearm by definition in Federal law. All the other parts of the gun, as you stated, are nothing more than parts that have no regulations on them whatsoever.

CoRoMo · Mar 30, 2009

Post Office robots don't tend to care one way or the other, so I use them.

Also, leave out the word 'firearm', 'guns', 'arms' etc. from all addresses and you'll be fine.

Example: Shipping to Bud's Gun Shop, Knight Rifles

Just title it Bud's Shop, Knight Inc., etc.

It will still get to the street address on the package.

Hansli · Mar 30, 2009

Almost all reloading and parts suppliers use their initials. If I am shipping to an FFL with 'guns', 'gunsmiths' etc. in their business name, I simply use the licensee's name as addressee. Raises no flags.

ACORN · Mar 30, 2009

UPS stores aren't UPS owned as far as I know and you're dealing with what ever knucklehead they hired. Go to a hub if possible. My local UPS hub (New Stanton, Pa) has been great! I've shipped probably 10 firearms through them and feared I'd get the run around from them, but I've had only positive transactions with this particular hub.

Nugilum · Mar 30, 2009

UPS wanted to charge me over $60.00 to ship a rifle stock for refinishing.

Yes, $60.00+ for WOOD! :fire:

It was a rifle as far as they were concerned.
FYI: I was at a "Customer Service Center". At first they weren't going to ship it, since the guy I was sending it to wasn't the rifle's manufacturer. Well, the "rifle" (stock) was made in 1918. Kinda hard to return it to its maker.

Fed Ex, $14.74. Guess who I did business with...

grimjaw · Mar 30, 2009

For any non-firearm that isn't large, flat-rate USPS Priorty.

jm

dogtown tom · Mar 30, 2009

I ship firearms every week.

I have found great joy in knowing the Domestic Mail Manual better than the counter clerks at my local post office. Same with shipping policies for FedEx and UPS.

I NEVER go in without a copy of the USPS DMM with firearms shipping requirements highlighted.

Things I've been told in the last five months:
1. I need to give USPS a copy of my FFL. (I don't)
2. Mailing guns is illegal. (not)
3. No one but a dealer can mail guns. (anyone can mail a long gun)
4. We don't really like to ship guns. (personal opinion, not USPS policy)

I don't get nasty or rude when correcting or informing the clerks of postal regulations. Just like dealing with a WalMart clerk that doesn't know the difference between .223 and .224 I look on this as an educational experience.

US Postal Service Domestic Mail Manual: 601 Mailability 11.0 "Other Restricted and Non mailable Matter": http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/601.htm#wp1065404

FedEx "Prohibited or Restricted Articles": http://www.fedex.com/us/national/rulestariff/prohibited_articles.html

UPS "Special Procedures for Shipping Firearms" https://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/ship/packaging/guidelines/firearms.html?srch_pos=1&srch_phr=firearms

.

WardenWolf · Mar 30, 2009

Carry the UPS regulations with you and show them to the twit next time.

bonza · Mar 30, 2009

I work for USPS, in distribution not counter sales, & some time back we had a training session on hazardous & suspicious packages were the manager said that it was illegal to ship firearms. I politely pointed out that was not the case, & explained the regulations. He was surprised, but accepted my input.
I have never had a problem mailing any long-guns but, as mentioned in the above post, it pays to be informed just in case you run into a clerk who isn't up on all the regulations.
As far as UPS Stores go, they are franchises & not owned by UPS. Fireams should always be taken to the local UPS hub or picked up by the driver. With the non-restricted part you were trying to ship you just just ran into an over-cautious ill-informed employee. I'm a believer in only giving the absolute minimum of required information when shipping anything firearms-related.

Remander · Mar 30, 2009

A manager at the post office does not know gun mailing rules?

What? Next you'll expect me to believe a policeman does not know the gun laws. Come on, dude.

bannockburn · Mar 30, 2009

I have found flat rate USPS Priority Mail to be the most cost effective way to send parts back to the manufacturer or to some place for refinishing. Just as the others have posted, leave the words "firearms" or "guns" out of the address and you'll be fine. I usually just use the company's initials and have never had a problem with anyone questioning where it's going or what's inside. Using Delivery Confirmation is a good idea as well because your box will be scanned and tracked through the entire delivery process.

Threeband · Mar 30, 2009

Those idiots at the UPS stores are hopeless. There is no point trying to reason with them.

I had this unbelievably stupid kid telling me all sorts of nonsense, that if I was caught trying to ship a firearms part, the Federal Government would impose a $20,000 (or $200,000?) fine on me.

That a single screw constituted a firearms part, etc.

Funny thing is, I could tell this kid was scared of me. He was scared of me, and of the deadly cardboard box I had with me (which I ended up driving 40 miles round trip to the hub to ship).

What a disgusting little hoplophobe. Andrew Jackson would have vomited. General Patton would have done worse than slap him.

nwilliams · Mar 30, 2009

A while back the UPS shipping center where I live (not UPS Store) flat out refused to ship a gun for me.

I provided them with a valid copy of the FFL of where the gun was going and they told me that it was their "local policy" that only dealers could ship firearms through them. I told them I thought that was bs and they suggested I go to FedEx instead. So I did and they gave me no trouble whatsoever.

Normally I like to use UPS for most things but when it comes to shipping firearms I always go with FedEx.

bluetopper · Mar 30, 2009

Yes, when shipping ALWAYS leave the words "Firearms, Guns, Arms, etc,..." out of the address. Substitute "Co." or something.
Prevents a lot of unnecessary heartache.

ACORN · Mar 31, 2009

[QUOTEA positive UPS experience!Thank you ACORN.
We are gonna frame this one and hang it on the wall.][/QUOTE]

I know what you're saying, but it really has been a non-issue. Showed the receiving dealers FFl and mine when I had a C&R and it just busness as usual.
Now as for the UPS Next-Day Air raping, that's another story!

BhmBill · Mar 31, 2009

I haven't used UPS in probably 2.5 years. USPS and Fedex have been great for me.

Eff ups

.45Guy · Mar 31, 2009

I've shipped quite a few "axle shaft for '68 rambler" via UPS. I haven't had a problem yet. Knock on wood.

Funderb · Mar 31, 2009

UPS has a tendency to charge ridiculous amounts of $$ for stuff, because they have a fantastical vertical monopoly on services.

sernv99 · Mar 31, 2009

just had two experiences with UPS:

sold one of my sporting clays shotguns, wrapped it up nice in the shipping box, the dealer's name had the words "Gun Shop" in its name so I printed that on the box. The clerk at the customer service center asked if I was sending an automatic gun, I replied no, it's a double barrel shotgun. She seemed hesitant at first but as soon as I told her I sold it to a gun shop down in TX, she seemed fine with it.

second incident just happened this past Friday. I shipped another one of sporting clays shotguns through UPS customer service center again, at another location. The unknowledgable clerk told me next time I shouldn't tape up the box so that they can inspect to see if the firearm was unloaded. I was like, ok whatever. I told her it was in a hardcase and I had written "Fragile, do not drop" all over the box to make sure the knuckleheads working in back don't chuck the package around. Well she seemed hesitant again after seeing this and decided to open up the box and feel the hardcase. I guess she wanted to make sure the hardcase was hard enough to withstand the abuse their workers dish out on the packages being winged around onto the trucks. So I had to tape it up a second time.

if I ever ship a gun again, I'm using FedEx.

UPS Drama

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