AS A SELLER/SHIPPER OF FIREARMS
For a quick reference, check these links:
http://www.thegunzone.com/ship-guns.html
https://www.fedex.com/us/services/termsandconditions/restrictions.html
http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/prepare/guidelines/firearms.html
http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/index.htm
http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/pubs/pub52.pdf
AS A SELLER/SHIPPER - IF YOU WANT TO SAVE TIME READING:
How about this "short course" on shipping firearms:
***Declare all firearm shipments***and***Unless prohibited by your state or local laws***
A Non-FFL can ship a rifle, via US Mail or common carrier (Fed Ex or UPS) to an FFL, back to the factory, or gunsmith, or out of state (to yourself). Or ship a rifle to another non-prohibited person within your state.
A Non-FFL can also ship a pistol via common carrier to an FFL, back to the factory, or gunsmith, or out of state (to yourself). Or ship a pistol (via common carrier) to another non-prohibited person within your state.
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The common carriers make the rules on how they want it shipped (overnight, same day or whatever), cause they can't trust their employees.
*THINGS MAY HAVE CHANGED* Some UPS employees THINK that the additional tariff rule ONLY allows shipping by authorized lic. to authorized lic. But read it carefully, it DOES allow for a non-FFL to ship to a FFL holder, back to the factory, or gunsmith. A lot of folks use Fed Ex cause, UPS has some “problem employees,” that have a difficult time reading their own rules. *THINGS MAY HAVE CHANGED*
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US POSTAL SERVICE:
Non-FFL people, may mail a rifle via the USPS.
Non-FFL people, may NOT mail a handgun via the USPS. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun.
For an FFL holder, a pistol (or rifle) can be shipped FFL to FFL, FFL to the factory, or FFL to the gunsmith, via the US Mail.
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Shipping to an FFL, without a signed inked FFL in your hand:
The shipper/seller, for their protection, needs to verify the receiver is a licensed dealer. They need to ask for the receiver's FFL Number.
The shipper should then go to this website to verify the license and address: ATF FFL Ez Check Site.
The shipper should print the screen they get.
They can then legally ship the gun to the receiver, but only at the address verified at the Ez Check Site.
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IF YOU’RE THE BUYER OF A FIREARM (FROM ANOTHER STATE)
Since this is SALE of a firearm, the seller will ship the firearm to your FFL (not directly to you). Once the gun is at your local FFL, the FFL will record it in his book, he'll be responsible to check you out. Making sure you're not a prohibited person, have followed your local and state laws, have paid the correct fees (if applicable), and of course filled out form 4473.
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SHIPPING ANTIQUES
If the gun was manufactured prior to or in 1898 NOT in or after 1899, it is an antique. Period. It can be sent ANY way you like. The reference made to the type of ammo it fires applies to REPLICAS, NOT the real thing. If it is manufactured prior to 1899, it IS an antique and NOT covered by the GCA and is NOT a firearm by ANY definition under the law. There may be some weird state law somewhere, but I am not aware of it. Perhaps in Illinois, they have some weird laws.
The gun you described can be sent ANY way you like.
Title 18, Section 921(a)(16) then defines "antique firearm" as follows:
"The term 'antique firearm' means -
(A) any firearm (including any firearm with a matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap, or similar type of ignition system) manufactured in or before 1898; and
(any replica of any firearm described in subparagraph (A) if such replica -
(i) is not designed or redesigned for using rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition, or
(ii) uses rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition which is no longer manufactured in the United States and which is not readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade."
And….
Ship them USPS insured. They are NOT firearms and therefore are not controlled by the same laws. Do NOT declare what they are unless you want to start an argument with someone unknowledgeable. That is not necessary.
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FedEx Rules Governing Firearms Shipment
General Rules for Firearms
FedEx Express will transport and deliver firearms as defined by the United States Gun Control Act of 1968, between areas served in the U.S., but only between:
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
Where not prohibited by local, state and federal law, from individuals to licensed importers, licensed manufacturers or licensed dealers (and return of same).
If your shipment contains firearms, select the Direct Signature Required Delivery Signature Option 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 or indirect delivery.
Firearms must be shipped via FedEx Priority Overnight service. FedEx Express cannot ship or deliver firearms C.O.D. Firearms shipments cannot be placed in a FedEx Express Drop Box.
Upon presenting the package for shipment, the person tendering the shipment to FedEx Express is required to notify FedEx Express 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.
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, including those pertaining to labeling. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives can provide assistance.
FedEx Express will transport ammunition when packed and labeled in compliance with local, state and federal law, and the Dangerous Goods section of this Service Guide. Ammunition is an explosive and must be shipped separately as dangerous goods. You agree not to ship loaded firearms or firearms with ammunition in the same package.
Additional Ground Tarrif Rules for FedEx
FedEx Ground will transport and deliver firearms (excluding handguns) as defined by the United States Gun Control Act of 1968, between areas served in the U.S., but only between:
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
Where not prohibited by local, state and federal law, from individuals to licensed importers, licensed manufacturers or licensed dealers (and return of same).
If your shipment contains firearms, select the Direct Signature Required Delivery Signature Option 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.
FedEx Ground cannot ship or deliver firearms C.O.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.
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, including those pertaining to labeling. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives can provide assistance.
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.
FedEx Ground will not accept for transport handguns, assembled or disassembled.
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UPS Rules Governing Firearms Shipment
Special Procedures for Shipping Firearms
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, law enforcement agencies of the United States or of any department or agency thereof and law enforcement agencies of any state or department agency, or political subdivision thereof, and between persons not otherwise prohibited from shipping firearms by federal, state or local law and when such shipment complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws.
You must ship your packages that contain handguns with UPS Next Day Air Early A.M.®, UPS Next Day Air®, or UPS Next Day Air Saver® services
Your packages that contain firearms will not be accepted for shipment at UPS Drop Boxes, with UPS SonicAir® service, at locations of The UPS Store or any third-party retailer, or with international services.
Follow These Packing Requirements
Your packages that contain handguns must be separated from other packages being delivered to UPS
Ammunition cannot be included in your packages that contain firearms (including handguns)
About Documentation and Labeling
When you are shipping your package that contains a firearm with UPS, you must affix a UPS label requesting an adult signature upon delivery
Getting Your Firearm Shipment to UPS
You can only ship your package that contains a firearm from UPS daily pickup accounts and through UPS Customer Centers.
When you are shipping a package that contains a handgun, you must verbally notify the UPS driver or UPS Customer Center clerk
You can use UPS daily pickup accounts to ship firearms, not including handguns, through UPS Internet Shipping, UPS On-Call PickupSM, and One-Time Pickup
Your packages that contain firearms will not be accepted for shipment at UPS Drop Boxes, with UPS SonicAir® service, at locations of The UPS Store or any third-party retailer, or with international services
See the terms and conditions in the UPS Tariff for shipping firearms
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