Cost for FFL to Ship Handgun?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Styx

Styx

Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2014
Messages
3,283
Some Gun Broker auctions do jot list shipping price. They do say that buyer pays shipping cost. Sellers usually look to see what the true cost the postal service charges, and will then quote that fee.

What does it typically cost an FFL to ship a handgun to another FFL?
 
Depends on the FFL. Here in western NY it’s anywhere from $25-$50 for the FFL transfer fee.

If you’re talking like actually shipping cost the FFL pays UPS? No idea.
 
Styx said:
.

What does it typically cost an FFL to ship a handgun to another FFL?
Click to expand...
FFL's don't get special rates just because we are FFL's. So the cost to ship a package that weighs 4lbs is the same as for me as it is for you.
UPS, FedEx and USPS all have a shipping calculator on their websites.

Actual cost to ship a handgun depends on the carrier, weight and insured value.
Most FFLs will choose USPS Flat Rate boxes because its far cheaper than FedEx Overnight or UPS Next Day.

I can ship a $1000 handgun in a USPS Priority Mail Medium FRB (with insurance and Adult Signature Required) for $37.90 in postage. Add in the $10 i charge and its less than half the cost of FedEx Overnight/UPS Next Day.

I would NEVER bid on an auction without knowing EXACTLY the amount the seller will charge to ship. Way to many people (even on this forum) seem to think shipping costs are low because Amazon or big dealers like Buds ship for free. If the seller is not an FFL he cannot mail any firearm other than a rifle or shotgun via USPS. He'll have to have a dealer mail it or he'll have to use UPS/FedEx and pay for the most expensive service.
 
dogtown tom said:
FFL's don't get special rates just because we are FFL's. So the cost to ship a package that weighs 4lbs is the same as for me as it is for you.
UPS, FedEx and USPS all have a shipping calculator on their websites.

Actual cost to ship a handgun depends on the carrier, weight and insured value.
Most FFLs will choose USPS Flat Rate boxes because its far cheaper than FedEx Overnight or UPS Next Day.

I can ship a $1000 handgun in a USPS Priority Mail Medium FRB (with insurance and Adult Signature Required) for $37.90 in postage. Add in the $10 i charge and its less than half the cost of FedEx Overnight/UPS Next Day.

I would NEVER bid on an auction without knowing EXACTLY the amount the seller will charge to ship. Way to many people (even on this forum) seem to think shipping costs are low because Amazon or big dealers like Buds ship for free. If the seller is not an FFL he cannot mail any firearm other than a rifle or shotgun via USPS. He'll have to have a dealer mail it or he'll have to use UPS/FedEx and pay for the most expensive service.
Click to expand...
FFLs can ship handguns cheaper than non FFL via USPS. Not saying anything you dont already know. How can I find out how much it actually cost a FFL to ship a handgun via USPS?
 
dogtown tom said:
FFL's don't get special rates just because we are FFL's. So the cost to ship a package that weighs 4lbs is the same as for me as it is for you.
UPS, FedEx and USPS all have a shipping calculator on their websites.

Actual cost to ship a handgun depends on the carrier, weight and insured value.
Most FFLs will choose USPS Flat Rate boxes because its far cheaper than FedEx Overnight or UPS Next Day.

I can ship a $1000 handgun in a USPS Priority Mail Medium FRB (with insurance and Adult Signature Required) for $37.90 in postage. Add in the $10 i charge and its less than half the cost of FedEx Overnight/UPS Next Day.

I would NEVER bid on an auction without knowing EXACTLY the amount the seller will charge to ship. Way to many people (even on this forum) seem to think shipping costs are low because Amazon or big dealers like Buds ship for free. If the seller is not an FFL he cannot mail any firearm other than a rifle or shotgun via USPS. He'll have to have a dealer mail it or he'll have to use UPS/FedEx and pay for the most expensive service.
Click to expand...
I just shipped a handgun via FedEx. I am not an FFL and I did notify FedEx of the contents. Total cost was almost the same as what you say you are paying to ship via USPS.
 
Havok7416 said:
I just shipped a handgun via FedEx. I am not an FFL and I did notify FedEx of the contents. Total cost was almost the same as what you say you are paying to ship via USPS.
Click to expand...
Around $40 for Fedex?
 
Havok7416 said:
I just shipped a handgun via FedEx. I am not an FFL and I did notify FedEx of the contents. Total cost was almost the same as what you say you are paying to ship via USPS.
Click to expand...
You shipped a handgun via FedEx Priority Overnight with insurance and Adult Signature for the same as USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate box?:scrutiny:
Not if you followed the FedEx tariff.
A FedEx Medium box, shipped standard Priority Overnight from Plano, TX to Houston, TX with $1000 insurance and Adult Signature Required runs $69.33
Make that Los Angeles, CA and its $115.18

Neither beats the $48 I would have charged to ship a handgun via USPS.
 
Last edited:
Havok7416 said:
Yes that's what I was quoted (twice).
Click to expand...
You weren't quoted Overnight rates.;)
(and no matter what the phone or counter monkey tells you) If you don't abide by the published FedEx tariff, any claim for loss, damage, theft will be denied. And that tariff says handguns must go Overnight.
 
My LGS charges $47 to ship a firearm. They use USPS. Some people ship themselves to an FFL but I don't ever have that option. These days most FFLs don't accept shipments from non-FFL to be safe from BATF shenanigans.

And worth ever penny in my opinion.
 
Last edited:
P89DCSS said:
...... These days most FFLs don't accept shipments from non-FFL to be safe from BATF shenanigans.

.
Click to expand...
If the FFL claims "BATF shenanigans is why" ....he's an idiot. The transaction of a nonlicensee shipping to an FFL is identical to one where the nonlicensee appears in person at the dealers store. Identical. ATF doesn't give a hoot about either, only about whether the dealer recorded the acquisition.

But you are correct, a growing number of dealers (certainly not "most") don't accept shipments from nonlicensees because they are afraid the shipper will not include information on the seller. While federal law and ATF regulations don't require a drivers license, the dealer most certainly can require it. Why does the dealer want the DL? Because federal law and ATF regs require him to record the name and address of the person he received the firearm from....and a DL is a quick and easy means to do that.

I have relatively few nonlicensees fail to include their DL in the box. My biggest problem with receiving shipments from nonlicensees is the terrible packing job they do. Twelve years ago it was pawn shops that did the worst packing, now its nonlicensees.
 
Several years ago, was the high bidder on an auction at a very prominent gun auction house. They already had my credit card info. so they just added shipping to it. Everything was fine.... until the total bill was added up. They charged almost $400 to ship a $1000 pistol! Called to ask about that and they explained that they charged for all the time it took their employee to do everything necessary to get the box out the door, meaning the time it took to print out the receipt, the time it took to find the item on the shelf, the time it took to wrap the item, the cost of the box, the "brand new" bubble wrap, packing tape, etc., etc., etc. and... insurance. Never did bid on anything else with them.
 
dogtown tom said:
If the FFL claims "BATF shenanigans is why" ....he's an idiot...But you are correct, a growing number of dealers (certainly not "most") don't accept shipments from nonlicensees because they are afraid the shipper will not include information on the seller. While federal law and ATF regulations don't require a drivers license, the dealer most certainly can require it. Why does the dealer want the DL? Because federal law and ATF regs require him to record the name and address of the person he received the firearm from....and a DL is a quick and easy means to do that....
Click to expand...
Always nice to meet a genius in a sea of "idiots". I like my FFL and they have done a great job for me. I find his reasoning to be sound especially when I see stories of the BATF arbitrary rulings. I do have personal dealing with the BATF where the agent was coercing me to lie while threatening me with a court order to testify. When I refused to lie he did back off, after I hired a lawyer (thanks NRA!).
 
dogtown tom said:
You shipped a handgun via FedEx Priority Overnight with insurance and Adult Signature for the same as USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate box?:scrutiny:
Not if you followed the FedEx tariff.
A FedEx Medium box, shipped standard Priority Overnight from Plano, TX to Houston, TX with $1000 insurance and Adult Signature Required runs $69.33
Make that Los Angeles, CA and its $115.18

Neither beats the $48 I would have charged to ship a handgun via USPS.
Click to expand...

I think he was bragging about an ATF VIOLATION!

https://support.shippingeasy.com/hc...ules-and-Restrictions-USPS-UPS-FedEx-Overview
 
$35 to ship UPS ground from midlantic region to New England. Long gun. Took 3 days. I provided the padded container.
 
JJFitch said:
I think he was bragging about an ATF VIOLATION!

https://support.shippingeasy.com/hc...ules-and-Restrictions-USPS-UPS-FedEx-Overview
Click to expand...
Negative. All the boxes were checked.
From the text of your own link:
Where not prohibited by local, state, and federal law, FedEx will ship firearms from individuals to licensed importers, licensed manufacturers, or licensed dealers (and return of the same).

When shipping, the person shipping the firearm is required to notify FedEx that the shipment contains a firearm.

The following rules apply:

  • The outside of the package cannot have any indication of the contents.
  • The shipper and recipient must be of legal age as identified by applicable law.
  • The shipper and recipient are required to comply with all applicable government regulations and laws.
  • The firearm cannot contain any ammunition either loaded or in the same package. Learn more about what FedEx prohibits
 
My FFL guy will box, wrap, and ship a firearm for $50. This fee applies when I sell a personal firearm. It must be shipped to the buyers FFL.
 
P89DCSS said:
Always nice to meet a genius in a sea of "idiots". I like my FFL and they have done a great job for me. I find his reasoning to be sound especially when I see stories of the BATF arbitrary rulings. I do have personal dealing with the BATF where the agent was coercing me to lie while threatening me with a court order to testify. When I refused to lie he did back off, after I hired a lawyer (thanks NRA!).
Click to expand...
Yeah, your genius dealer thinks there is a difference between receiving a gun from a nonlicensee face to face vs it being shipped. THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE IN RECORDKEEPING. His sound "reasoning" is laughable.
 
AlFarkle said:
$35 to ship UPS ground from midlantic region to New England. Long gun. Took 3 days. I provided the padded container.
Click to expand...
Thats nice. but not at all what this thread is about. UPS/FedEx/USPS all accept rifle and shotgun shipments from anyone. The laws, regulations and policies are different for handguns.
 
Havok7416 said:
Negative. All the boxes were checked.
Click to expand...
What boxes? There is no "box" at fedex.com to check to indicate you are shipping a handgun, much less any other firearm.



From the text of your own link:
Where not prohibited by local, state, and federal law, FedEx will ship firearms from individuals to licensed importers, licensed manufacturers, or licensed dealers (and return of the same).
Click to expand...
Well, first that link IS NOT FedEx, but a third party who isn't close to accurate.
If you want to read FedEx's tariff straight from the horses mouth go here:https://www.fedex.com/en-us/service-guide/terms/express-ground-samedaycity.html
Click on "FedEx Express U.S. Terms & Conditions", then scroll to "Firearms"..................you then discover that ALL FIREARMS shipped via FedEx Express require Priority Overnight.

But wait, it gets better.....:rofl:


If you click on "FedEx Ground Tariff", then scroll to "Firearms" you'll discover this nugget:
A. FedEx Ground will transport and deliver firearms (excluding handguns), antique firearms and replica firearms, all as defined by the United States Gun Control Act of 1968, as well as muzzleloaders and black powder firearms (collectively “firearms”), between areas served in the U.S., but only between:

1. 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

2. Where not prohibited by local, state and federal law, from individuals to licensed importers, licensed manufacturers or licensed dealers (and return of same).

B. If your shipment contains firearms, select the Direct Signature Required or Adult Signature Required Delivery Signature Option, depending on the requirements of your shipment. See the Delivery Signature Options section for details. Firearms shipments are not eligible for signature release, driver release or indirect delivery.

C. FedEx Ground cannot ship or deliver firearms C.O.D. Firearms shipments are not eligible to be held at Hold at Location facilities.

D. Upon presenting the package for shipment, the person tendering the shipment to FedEx Ground is required to notify FedEx Ground that the package contains a firearm. The outside of the package must not be marked, labeled or otherwise identify that the package contains a firearm.

E. The shipper and recipient must be of legal age as identified by applicable law.

F. The shipper and recipient are required to comply with all applicable government regulations and laws, including those pertaining to labeling. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives can provide assistance.

G. FedEx Ground will transport small-arms ammunition when packed and labeled in compliance with local, state and federal law, and the Hazardous Materials section of this Service Guide. Ammunition is an explosive and must be shipped separately as hazardous materials. You agree not to ship loaded firearms or firearms with ammunition in the same package.

H. FedEx Ground will not accept for transport handguns, assembled or disassembled.
Click to expand...

So, again, shipping a handgun via FedEx requires Priority Overnight. This isn't anything new, having been FedEx policy for at least fifteen years.
 
Havok7416 said:
Negative. All the boxes were checked.
From the text of your own link:
Where not prohibited by local, state, and federal law, FedEx will ship firearms from individuals to licensed importers, licensed manufacturers, or licensed dealers (and return of the same).

When shipping, the person shipping the firearm is required to notify FedEx that the shipment contains a firearm.

The following rules apply:

  • The outside of the package cannot have any indication of the contents.
  • The shipper and recipient must be of legal age as identified by applicable law.
  • The shipper and recipient are required to comply with all applicable government regulations and laws.
  • The firearm cannot contain any ammunition either loaded or in the same package. Learn more about what FedEx prohibits
Click to expand...

"I just shipped a handgun via FedEx. I am not an FFL"
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

G
  • Locked
Gunbroker seller FFL costs??? Opinions wanted
Replies
10
Views
1K
Walkalong
Walkalong
Mastrogiacomo
  • Locked
Used Guns online?
Replies
3
Views
1K
PAshooter
P
C
  • Locked
Is this normal for a handgun shipping experience?
Replies
3
Views
521
Futuristic
F
stonebuster
  • Locked
handgun shipping USPS/ FFL to FFL
Replies
4
Views
788
stonebuster
stonebuster
T
  • Locked
FFL & sending a handgun??????
Replies
3
Views
424
Jim K
J
Back
Top