EOD Guy
Member
It is perfectly legal for a nonlicensee to ship a handguns to an FFL holder.
Fedex can bite me
- Thread starter Chuck Perry
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It is perfectly legal for a nonlicensee to ship a handguns to an FFL holder.
EOD,
Thanks for the info...do you have any places I can point the carrier to if they object to sending the pistol? My understanding was that UPS and FedEx require a dealer to dealer transfer for pistols (at least that's what their policy seems to state).
Travis
Master Blaster
Member
In November I shipped my CZ 85 back to Kansas City from Delaware. The clerk told me I could ship it overnight for $35 with $500 insurance, He also said I could ship it 2nd day air So I did. It cost $15 with $500 insurance.
I told him it was a handgun, he asked if it was loaded I said no do you want to check? He said no. It was then shipped in a mid size fed ex box, I had already put it in a plastic foam padded gun case. This was at the Fed ex depot In NewCastle DE.
I had expected a hassle, and for it to cost at least $40 from what I had read on line, I was pleasantly suprised.
I told him it was a handgun, he asked if it was loaded I said no do you want to check? He said no. It was then shipped in a mid size fed ex box, I had already put it in a plastic foam padded gun case. This was at the Fed ex depot In NewCastle DE.
I had expected a hassle, and for it to cost at least $40 from what I had read on line, I was pleasantly suprised.
ship it in two boxes, USPS
I've been lucky with my handguns (rifles and shotguns aren't an issue with USPS if they're sent domestically). When I've sold them, the buyers have always agreed it's okay to ship them in 2 packages. I don't have any revolvers, so I just remove a part to make the gun nonoperative; separated the slide from the frame for one guy, but usually, I remove the firing pin (cheaper to replace and easier to buy [generally] if lost).
That allows me to send them parcel post USPS. As an example, I sent a Magnum Research Desert Eagle 50AE w/ scope for a total of $14. Try shipping that 6lb. gun by UPS or FedEx overnight--it would have cost me almost $70 (I checked--CA to NY).
I've been lucky with my handguns (rifles and shotguns aren't an issue with USPS if they're sent domestically). When I've sold them, the buyers have always agreed it's okay to ship them in 2 packages. I don't have any revolvers, so I just remove a part to make the gun nonoperative; separated the slide from the frame for one guy, but usually, I remove the firing pin (cheaper to replace and easier to buy [generally] if lost).
That allows me to send them parcel post USPS. As an example, I sent a Magnum Research Desert Eagle 50AE w/ scope for a total of $14. Try shipping that 6lb. gun by UPS or FedEx overnight--it would have cost me almost $70 (I checked--CA to NY).
Aleko
Member
This sounds like a good idea, and I've thought about it myself, but isn't a frame still considered a "firearm"? So technically, all the same rules apply to shipping a frame as if it were a complete handgun. Then when your FFL receives a lower half of a gun, how does he "register" it? A handgun? A frame?
Aleko
Member
Right, that's what I'm thinking. A frame is most definitely considered a handgun from BATF stand point. But shipping companies may or may not look at it the same way. Also, when I bought a frame from Caspian, my dealer logged it in as just "a frame" (or "a handgun frame").
Chuck Perry
Member
The serialized component,usually the frame, of a handgun is considered a firearm and must be shipped according to the rules. If your shipping UPS, and tell them it's gun parts, I suppose you're not violating any Federal laws, only UPS policys. Don't know if they have their own police force to enforce them yet. 
Zak Smith
Member
The questions raised here were hashed out to death, with references, over in this thread:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=59434
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=59434
I would like to reply to this thread because there is a fair degree of misinformation here. You CAN ship firearms through both UPS and FedEx, both handgun and rifle. If you are shipping a handgun you need not be a FFL holder but if you are shipping the handgun out of state you MUST ship to a FFL in the recipients state.
Per the ATF regulations:
(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]
ATF FAQ....
I would print the ATF FAQ out if you want documentation.
As far as UPS goes, I just called them and they will ship from a non-FFL to a FFL in the recipients state. You cannot ship handguns between two non-FFL. If you are shipping a handgun between two non-FFL's it's the recipients responsibility to make arrangements with a local FFL to receive the handgun.
When I ship a handgun I do the following:
I think I covered it all.
Again, UPS and Fed Ex will ship between non FFL to FFL but it is the responsibility of the nonFFL recipient to make arrangements with an FFL in his/her state to receive the firearm. Hope this helps, it has worked well for me anyway.
Per the ATF regulations:
(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]
ATF FAQ....
I would print the ATF FAQ out if you want documentation.
As far as UPS goes, I just called them and they will ship from a non-FFL to a FFL in the recipients state. You cannot ship handguns between two non-FFL. If you are shipping a handgun between two non-FFL's it's the recipients responsibility to make arrangements with a local FFL to receive the handgun.
When I ship a handgun I do the following:
- Get a FFl number for the out of state FFL (be it a gunsmith or dealer)
- Contact the carrier to verify the policy has not changed since the last time I shipped a firearm, call the headquarters and MAKE SURE TO GET A CONTACT NAME just incase you have a problem.
- Make sure you have the proper packaging.
- Bring a copy of the AFT rules, your contact at HQ's and any other policies that they may need.
- Take the shippment to a customer care counter/not a privately owned shipping center.
- At the first indication of difficulty, just ask for a manager and make sure to take names. This is important because not only does it have a dramatic effect but these their supervisors will need to retrain them.
I think I covered it all.
Again, UPS and Fed Ex will ship between non FFL to FFL but it is the responsibility of the nonFFL recipient to make arrangements with an FFL in his/her state to receive the firearm. Hope this helps, it has worked well for me anyway.
mbott
Member
It is real easy to go to FedEx.com and open up an account with them online. I did this a couple of years ago, and although I don't ship much of anything, let alone pistols, it does make it easy when I have to. Last year, I returned a P97 to Ruger for service, and I filled out all the shipping paperwork online (with all necessary disclosures) and printed the shipping label right there. On my way home for work, I dropped the package off at FedEx, waved at the clerks who smiled, and left. Nothing to it at all. They billed my credit card for the next day standard shipping and I was able to track the package all the way to AZ.
Already having the FedEx account saves so much hassle and standing in line.
--
Mike
Already having the FedEx account saves so much hassle and standing in line.
--
Mike
This is what the UPS website says:
"Use These UPS Services for Your Firearm Shipment
Firearms will be transported only between licensed importers, licensed manufacturers, licensed dealers, and licensed collectors, as defined in the United States Gun Control Act of 1968"
http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/prepare/guidelines/firearms.html
Never done it myself and I know many have. I'm not arguing anything...just quoting the website.
brad cook
"Use These UPS Services for Your Firearm Shipment
Firearms will be transported only between licensed importers, licensed manufacturers, licensed dealers, and licensed collectors, as defined in the United States Gun Control Act of 1968"
http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/prepare/guidelines/firearms.html
Never done it myself and I know many have. I'm not arguing anything...just quoting the website.
brad cook
Yep, I read that but it's not absolutely correct. FedEx has something similar on their intranet but you have to call for clarification.
Gotta remember who puts these websites together....people not clear on the policy.
Call UPS at 1-800 PICK-UPS. They will be happy to clarify.
Gotta remember who puts these websites together....people not clear on the policy.
Call UPS at 1-800 PICK-UPS. They will be happy to clarify.
Chuck Perry
Member
Actually, Fedex's website was what saved me. The shipping depot clerk called Fedex's 800 number and was told that he could not ship the gun for me. I showed him the website where it states it is ok. He then called Fedex back and worked it out.
Prof
Member
You definitely can ship a handgun from a non-FFL to an FFL with both UPS and FedEx. I have done so recently and I'm not an FFL. You simply present a copy of the dealer's FFL (to whom you are shipping) and that's it. Also, one poster previously said that he shipped a rifle for more than a pistol. That's dead wrong. I have shipped many rifles with UPS and the most I have ever paid is $15 --- that's because rifles go ground and handguns have to go air. The UPS website is confusing and, in some places, at odds with their actual policy. The one thing someone said here that is absolutely correct is the the new UPS "stores" will not accept any kind of firearm for shipment. You must go to a UPS service counter.
Cortland
Member
Has anybody tried Airborne Express? The last person I bought a gun from on-line sent it to my dealer via Airborne, and I know he was sending it as a non-FFL. I suspect they may be a little cheaper... Don't know if they require you send it next day too.
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