Shipping a handgun
- Thread starter azranger
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Yes, you can. It will cost you about $65. 
Bottom line is as an individual, you can ship to an FFL. You include a photocopy of your VALID state-issued ID so he can properly log it in. While not required by law, UPS and Fed EX will force you to use "overnight" which will come to $60 to $70 depending upon destination.
Your FFL can use the USPS. You cannot. He can use his dealer license and complete a form and then just put it in a flat-rate box and insure it for about $15. The other $50 is his fee for his time and trouble. My guy charges $20 for that, so my fee is $35.
Find another, cheaper, transfer agent, got to FedEx, or just pay him $65. Also, just search "shipping a handgun" on this form, this comes up weekly.
Bottom line is as an individual, you can ship to an FFL. You include a photocopy of your VALID state-issued ID so he can properly log it in. While not required by law, UPS and Fed EX will force you to use "overnight" which will come to $60 to $70 depending upon destination.
Your FFL can use the USPS. You cannot. He can use his dealer license and complete a form and then just put it in a flat-rate box and insure it for about $15. The other $50 is his fee for his time and trouble. My guy charges $20 for that, so my fee is $35.
Find another, cheaper, transfer agent, got to FedEx, or just pay him $65. Also, just search "shipping a handgun" on this form, this comes up weekly.
tetralaw
Member
Well said Oro.
zxcvbob
Member
Check with UPS and see if you can send it "Next Day Air Saver" or 2nd Day Air. (not sure if it's even worth asking about 3 Day Select) You will have to take it to their main Customer Service Center and depot, not a UPS Store or Mailbox Express (etc) or a drop-box. Also make sure the FFL on the other end is OK with receiving a gun from a peon; some are and some aren't. Unless you are shipping to Alaska or Hawaii, you ought to be able to git-r-done for about $35 or less.
medalguy
Member
Or find a dealer on the other end who will handle a transfer for $15 or so and then ship it to your FFL for Priority Mail cost. I did this recently and it was a lot cheaper to use 2 ffl's.
Except it is illegal for a non-licensee to ship a handgun by U. S. Mail (Priority Mail or otherwise).medalguy said:
NavyLCDR
member
fiddletown,
I don't think medalguy explained it very clearly and you misunderstood him. Medalguy is working from the receiving end, not from the shipping end. Working from the sending end, as the op framed his question, I think what Medalguy meant to say was:
Or find a dealer who will handle a transfer for $15 or so and then ship it to the other FFL for Priority Mail cost. I did this recently and it was a lot cheaper to use 2 ffl's.
the bolded part was in his original statement...
I don't think medalguy explained it very clearly and you misunderstood him. Medalguy is working from the receiving end, not from the shipping end. Working from the sending end, as the op framed his question, I think what Medalguy meant to say was:
Or find a dealer who will handle a transfer for $15 or so and then ship it to the other FFL for Priority Mail cost. I did this recently and it was a lot cheaper to use 2 ffl's.
the bolded part was in his original statement...
Oops, you may be right. If so, I apologize.NavyLT said:
sig228
Member
Unfortunately, most first time non FFL sellers on the internet get caught in this trap. They quote $20 or so for shipping in their ad because that's what all the other (FFL's) are quoting for shipping and then take the hit when they actually show up at UPS or FEDEX.
Happened to me.
Now I quote $60 for shipping and put a statement in my ad to the effect "I know shipping is high, but I am not an FFL and that's what the shippers are charging me" so people don't think I'm making money off shipping and handling.
Happened to me.
Now I quote $60 for shipping and put a statement in my ad to the effect "I know shipping is high, but I am not an FFL and that's what the shippers are charging me" so people don't think I'm making money off shipping and handling.
Shadow 7D
Member
The wording I like to use, is
final price is price of the gun + shipping, as shipping will depend on where you live. If they want shipping included they better expect to pay it on top of the gun price. A ffl might be cheaper, as a ffl could hook you up (helps if you are friendly) like mine, he charges $10 plus shipping, but he uses the post office so shipping is $15, and I don't pay the other guys transfer, so he ends up paying $25 for shipping, and that is cheap.
final price is price of the gun + shipping, as shipping will depend on where you live. If they want shipping included they better expect to pay it on top of the gun price. A ffl might be cheaper, as a ffl could hook you up (helps if you are friendly) like mine, he charges $10 plus shipping, but he uses the post office so shipping is $15, and I don't pay the other guys transfer, so he ends up paying $25 for shipping, and that is cheap.
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