Need accurate info on FED-EXing pistol back to S&W.....

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MIL-DOT

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Hi guys, just spoke with S&W customer service about returning my 586-1 for the old recall modification. They are sending me a shipping sticker ( or whatever that's called). She told me to label it "sporting goods/machine parts". I asked if not specifically identifying it as a gun/pistol could get me in trouble, and she firmly said no, that firearms are "sporting goods", and if the issue is pressed I could tell them it's a pistol, but that I should, and would be fine, just doing like she said.
I did some Googling, and mostly found several-year-old forum threads, with the usual array of advice.
Any further info is much appreciated......
 
Well, let us know what you find out. I went to ship a handgun to Florida once, and the UPS people made me drive to another town to a shipping facility, then wanted to charge me something like $95 dollars to ship a gun.

What do you guys who return things for warranty work or ship things for trade do?
 
I had a S&W revolver repaired earlier this year in February. They sent me a label via email, and I called FedEx for a pickup. These instructions were in the email:

ü Firearms may not be shipped at FedEx Office, KINKOS or FedEx Drop Boxes

ü FedEx requires that you verbally inform the receiving FedEx employee that a package contains a firearm.

ü If package is dropped off at a FedEx World Service Center, be sure to ask for a receipt.
Click to expand...

I told the driver who picked it up that it was a firearm going in for repairs. I didn't mark anything on the box. There was no issue at all.
 
Thanks for the replies guys. I just called a local Fedex branch, and she said I'd have no problem dropping it there, that I'd just have to pack it myself.
Looks like a no-brainer.
 
Yep, the only real caveat is that FedEx/UPS don't want you dropping it at the privately owned small drop-off stores. I've still done it with some FedEx shipments, but they never asked me what was in the box. Buddy of mine went to one of those UPS Stores and they asked him, he told them, and they FREAKED OUT.

Incidentally, the whole deal with notifying the shipper that the package contains a firearm is NOT a federal law/rule. It's a UPS/FedEx requirement. You can argue with folks over whether or not you have to follow it, but I think if anything happens to the shipment, and you didn't officially notify them as to the package's contents, it gives them leverage for denying your insurance claim against the loss. I've never dealt with that though, so I have no experience in the matter.
 
Hammerdown77 said:
Yep, the only real caveat is that FedEx/UPS don't want you dropping it at the privately owned small drop-off stores. I've still done it with some FedEx shipments, but they never asked me what was in the box. Buddy of mine went to one of those UPS Stores and they asked him, he told them, and they FREAKED OUT.

Incidentally, the whole deal with notifying the shipper that the package contains a firearm is NOT a federal law/rule. It's a UPS/FedEx requirement. You can argue with folks over whether or not you have to follow it, but I think if anything happens to the shipment, and you didn't officially notify them as to the package's contents, it gives them leverage for denying your insurance claim against the loss. I've never dealt with that though, so I have no experience in the matter.
Click to expand...
Scroll down and see what "Quinn" was convicted of in Federal Court. http://www.ledgernews.com/news/503-...nts-sentenced-in-federal-gun-trafficking-case
 
The only time you have to notify the carrier you are shipping a firearm is when you are shipping the firearm to a non-FFL.
 
I followed the instructions from S&W. When I told the driver that the box contained a handgun, she wanted to know why I told her that. She was more surprised when I told her the vendor specifically required that FedEx be informed of the gun.

I just had to send in a HiPower; UPS (not FedEx) and no stipulation to notify the shipper of the firearm.

I wonder what'll be the drill if I have to return my Jennings .22?
 
The FedEx drop off I used was familiar with the recipient, "SAW". I told her the shipper required me to tell her it was a handgun, she said thanks and handed me a receipt.
 
Scroll down and see what "Quinn" was convicted of in Federal Court.
Click to expand...

??? That case was about 65 straw gun purchases for a felon that were also subsequently shipped to California...

If Smith & Wesson informed the OP of what to do for warranty service, and provided the shipping label, it also makes them the liable ones if some law were broken.
 
Waywatcher said:
??? That case was about 65 straw gun purchases for a felon that were also subsequently shipped to California...

If Smith & Wesson informed the OP of what to do for warranty service, and provided the shipping label, it also makes them the liable ones if some law were broken.
Click to expand...
This is the part that I was refering to: Quinn was arrested and pleaded guilty to conspiring to unlawfully deal in firearms and to cause firearms to be shipped without notifying the contract carrier
 
Hey guys, since this thread keeps bubbling back to the surface, for anyone interested, I thought I'd post the e-mail instructions I just got from S&W about shipping the pistol. I noticed that this says to notify the shipper that it's a firearm.




SMITH & WESSON WARRANTY REPAIR SHIPPING INSTRUCTIONS

*** Please note your pre-paid label can be found at the bottom of this email. ***

Important note: Please be aware that many email programs and email websites such as Outlook, Thunderbird, Gmail, Yahoo mail, Hotmail, etc., hide images in emails automatically so that all you will see is an "x" where images would normally display. In this case you may need to click a "display images" or "download pictures" link or something similar, usually just above the email when you are viewing it, to get the label image to display. If you don't see the Smith & Wesson logo at the top of this email and the label image at the bottom, please check the help available for your email program or website on how to display images in your emails.

1) Prepare your firearm for shipment:
ü Put your firearm in the factory box or a sturdy cardboard box with cushioning. Remove all other items & accessories from the box that are not needed for repair. (Do not send wood presentation boxes or metal cases) Include all magazines if it is a misfire, extraction, ejection, or feeding issue.

ü Include your name, physical shipping address (No P.O. Boxes), daytime phone number, and the reason why you are returning the firearm on a piece of paper inside of the factory box.

ü For Express handgun shipments, use a FedEx Box (free of charge from a FedEx Customer Center) or a sturdy shipping box. Do not reuse cartons that bear an ORM-D marking or old address labeling.



Please note: do not ship any ammunition with a firearm!
ü Securely seal your shipping box and apply the return shipping label.

ü Important: Write down the tracking number and save it as a reference. Smith & Wesson insures authorized returns, and will process claims for replacement in the unlikely event the package should become lost.
2) FedEx Shipping: Firearms may be shipped from:
ü FedEx Daily Pickup Accounts

ü FedEx World Service Centers Go to fedex.com or call (800) 463-3339 for locations.

ü Call for a Pickup (800)-463-3339 … between 7:30am and 9:30pm EST. •When the recorded greeting starts, Press 9 to access the Premier Customer Service Program.
•At the prompt, key in acct 999 999 944
•Record your pickup number … it will serve as a receipt.
ü Firearms may not be shipped at FedEx Office, KINKOS or FedEx Drop Boxes

ü FedEx requires that you verbally inform the receiving FedEx employee that a package contains a firearm.

ü If package is dropped off at a FedEx World Service Center, be sure to ask for a receipt.


3) Return Shipment to You: Requires an Adult Signature. Federal regulations prohibit a driver from leaving a firearm unless an adult receives it, so you must not sign the “Driver Release” section of the Delivery Notice that FedEx uses to notify you of an attempted delivery.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That’s all you have to do - Smith & Wesson will pay the shipping cost for you!
It’s another feature and benefit of the Smith & Wesson Advantage™!
 
Interesting that some manufacturers say to tell the driver the package contains a firearm and some don't.

I've deal with Ruger twice and Kahr once. Each time both companies have specifically, and in the case of Ruger, repeatedly told me to not tell the diver. The procedure was the same with FedEx or UPS. They send me a shipping label and arrange for a pickup.
 
Hammerdown77 said:
Yep, the only real caveat is that FedEx/UPS don't want you dropping it at the privately owned small drop-off stores. I've still done it with some FedEx shipments, but they never asked me what was in the box. Buddy of mine went to one of those UPS Stores and they asked him, he told them, and they FREAKED OUT.
Click to expand...
That's why you print out their own rules from their own website, highlight them, and show them to them. Not that it really helps with ignorant sheeple.
 
There is NO legal requirement to notify the shipper that the package contains a firearm when shipping to an FFL. Although UPS and FedEx both have policies requiring it.
 
I try not to say anything about what is in the package when I drop it off, unless asked specifically. The last thing I want to say in a crowded FedEx or UPS store is "HEY, I"VE GOT A GUN IN THERE!"

The only time I've been asked is by a lady working the counter at the UPS distribution center. And probably the only reason she even thought to ask was because the address on the box said "Gunsmithing". She asked me quietly though, so as to be discreet, but there were four people standing behind me that couldn't help but hear her.
 
When I sent mine back to Smith, I told the guy at the counter what was in there, per the instructions on Smith's letter. There weren't any problems, and he didn't act like that was unusual.
 
MIL-DOT ...She told me to label it "sporting goods/machine parts".
Click to expand...
I ship several guns every week.......NEVER has UPS/FedEx/UPS asked me to "label" anything. I honestly would like to know where I would type in that information, because neither UPS/FedEx/USPS websites will ask for that when you create a shipping label.

By failing to notify UPS or FedEx that you are shipping a firearm you violate their tariff.

WvHiker What do you guys who return things for warranty work or ship things for trade do?
Click to expand...
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=651375

wrc I had a S&W revolver repaired earlier this year in February. They sent me a label via email, and I called FedEx for a pickup. These instructions were in the email:
Quote:
ü Firearms may not be shipped at FedEx Office, KINKOS or FedEx Drop Boxes
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
S&W needs to update their info.....because:
1. firearms most certainly CAN be shipped from FedEx Office locations and
2. Kinkos hasn't been in business for several years. They are now FedEx Office

918v The only time you have to notify the carrier you are shipping a firearm is when you are shipping the firearm to a non-FFL.
Click to expand...
Federal law only requires notification to a common carrier when shipping to a nonlicensee in an INTERSTATE shipment.
 
1KPerDay
Quote:
Originally Posted by dogtown tom
Federal law only requires notification to a common carrier when shipping to a nonlicensee in an INTERSTATE shipment.
Click to expand...
which.... you can't do anyway, right?
Click to expand...
It is a Federal crime to ship a firearm interstate to a nonlicensee....with one exception: you can ship your own firearm, addressed to yourself, to an address in another state.

Other than that exception you would need to notify the common carrier in writing that you are committing a federal crime.:D
 
It is a Federal crime to ship a firearm interstate to a nonlicensee....with one exception: you can ship your own firearm, addressed to yourself, to an address in another state.

Other than that exception you would need to notify the common carrier in writing that you are committing a federal crime

This comes up a lot. Could you post the source for your information?
 
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