Interesting Firearms Shipping Experience

[ScottS]

The ins and outs of shipping firearms is always a hot topic on gunboards, and usually the source of much rumor/incorrect "facts," and the like, but it's always interesting. Thought I'd share a recent experience to add to the general knowledge base.

I sent off a 1911 to a well-known gunsmith to get refinished and have a new barrel fitted. Sending was no issue. When it was ready, however, I got an e-mail note from the 'smith saying he had shipped it, and it should arrive Thursday. OK, I thought, FedEx or UPS will be visiting on Thursday. Imagine my surprise when the DHL truck rolls up my driveway, and drops off a package. I have never used them, nor researched the subject, but I was under the hazy impression DHL would not ship firearms. In fact, there are a couple of "references" that specifically say they won't:http://www.thegunzone.com/ship-guns.html and even a surface read of their website might lead you to believe this is true. From: http://www.dhl-usa.com/resources/Terms_and_Conditions_of_Carriage.pdf

2. Unacceptable Shipments. Shipper agrees that its Shipment is acceptable for transportation and is deemed unacceptable if:...DHL decides it cannot transport an item safely or legally (such items include but are not limited to: animals, bullion, currency, bearer form negotiable instruments, precious metalsand stones, firearms, parts thereof and ammunition, human remains, pornography and illegal narcotics/drugs)

But, after I did some digging on their website, I found what I believe it the real word on DHL. It seems they slide between references to "international shipping" and "domestic shipping" without much in the way of explanation. If you check their "Prohibited and Restricted Commodities" sheet, located here: http://www.dhl-usa.com/resources/Prohibited_Restricted_Commodities.pdf you find that firearms are on the "Prohibited Commodities - NOT acceptable for transport" list only if they're going internationally.

Firearms (Parts thereof including paintball, pellet guns, air rifles, etc.)[Except for Domestic exceptions listed below under restricted commodities]

Under the domestic exemptions, it says

Firearms
(Parts thereof including paintball, pellet guns, air rifles, etc.).
Domestic (USA) transportation only from and to licensed dealers.
Domestic firearms must be rendered mechanically not fireable.
Not permitted to be sent outside the U.S.

So, it sounds like DHL does allow dealer-to-dealer shipments of "mechanically not fireable" firearms within the US. And, if you've stayed with me this long, to add more spice to the story, the DHL label was printed "Prepared expressly for XXXX Gun Works." (I'm not a fan of labeling my weapons with anything that might clue in a thief, but I thought it was interesting there was obviously no intent to "hide" the company from DHL.)

Why is this interesting? I don't know. I just find it fascinating, based on the inconsistency within companies themselves, and the amount of misinformation on the subject floating around the 'net.

 

[Master Blaster]

DHL has the contract with USPS to do their overnight shipping.

 

[Kramer Krazy]

Along the same topic, I put some ammo on Gunbroker and then had to ship it once the auction had a winner. Well, I'd had ammo shipped to me via UPS on MANY occasions, over many years. I knew that places like Mailboxes Etc wouldn't accept the ammo, so I went straight to the central hub for the county.......They have huge signs staing they won't ship ammo, and actually had "ammunition" singled out. FedEx is the same way. I always read that if you declared it and put "ORM-D" on the outside, they'd ship it......not for me they wouldn't. To do it legally, I need to have a local dealer ship it out for me.

 

[ScottS]

Couldn't you just go online, print out the label, and call for a pick-up?

 

[Kramer Krazy]

Couldn't you just go online, print out the label, and call for a pick-up?

You have a link to that? I never found any feature such as that and the wording in most of the legal sections of the UPS website just about require a 55-gallon drum of coffee and a lawyer mentality.

 

[ScottS]

I went here: Open a UPS Account and opened an account. All it takes is a credit card, and the labels print right out on the printer. When it comes time to print the label, it asks if you're going to drop it off or schedule a pick-up. Then you schedule a pick-up, and you should be good to go, no?

 

[Kramer Krazy]

I may have to do that if I ever have to ship ammo, again. Do they ask if it is regulated material and did you have to label the outside of the package with the "ORM-D"?

 

[ScottS]

I was reusing the same box, so the ORM-D sticker was already on it. Driver didn't even flinch (except for the weight )

 

[Firethorn]

I've received many firearm parts and ammo from DHL. If you look at the rules posted, it's that they may refuse it, not that they will refuse it.

 

[Firethorn]

doubletap

 

[ScottS]

Actually, DHL says firearms are OK domestically, "licensed dealer to licensed dealer." Of course, there's no accounting for how employees will act, as we've seen in the numerous posts on UPS or FedEx employees giving it the deer-in-the-headlights look. Also, note in the first link, the response from DHL Customer Service that seems to indicate even they don't understand their own rules:

Thank you for contacting DHL.

The policy was last updated 08/17/04. I apologize, Airborne is now DHL and firearms is an unacceptable shipment with DHL.

We appreciate the opportunity to serve you.

Ejama
DHL Customer Service

It's interesting, alright.