Shipping a rifle to yourself

[Phaethon]

All right, I know this question has likely been asked a hundred thousand times, but I just want to get my facts straight before I show up at the UPS counter tomorrow.

I'm in FL and going to TX, and I've got a Mauser 98. I have a spare long box from a previous order that I made, so I'm set. I know that when shipping ammo there's regulations that require you to put an ORM-D sticker on it or something; I'm pretty sure there's no such concerns for rifles and pistols with no ammo in them, right? Do I really just dump it in the box and show up to ship it?

Am I required by law to declare that I'm shipping a firearm? Are there any labels or anything I have to put on? Thanks in advance to any helpful replies.

 

[NavyLCDR]

Since the rifle is being shipped out of state to other than an FFL, Federal law requires you to notify the shipper IN WRITING that the shipment contains a firearm. 18 USC 922 (e).

Nothing else is required by UPS policy or Federal law.

 

[Phaethon]

So does that written statement need to be on the box, or do I merely hand them a paper that says "This box has a long gun within it"?

 

[Alland]

No, I think federal law prevents the package from indicating that it contains a firearm. In the past the shipping form that you fill out would have been the written notification. I don't know how that works now, you just enter that information in a computer. Does filling out their form on a computer constitute written notification?

 

[TYFOOON]

Why not just take with and check it on the airline?

 

[Art Eatman]

You might compare costs to mail the rifle, vs. UPS.

All I've ever had to do at my PO is tell her that it's a rifle. (Usually leads to a gun discussion.)

 

[Phaethon]

I'm 18 and don't have a hard locking case for the gun; I don't really feel like checking in luggage or straining my anxious father. I'm leaving tomorrow, and thus need to ship this by today. I'm mostly concerned about having to declare the fire-arm because I live in liberal South Florida and they may refuse to let me ship it because of ignorance towards the policies, which is something I've read about before.

I guess I'll just take my chances and tell them at the desk.

 

[NavyLCDR]

It is MUCH, MUCH easier to take the rifle in checked baggage, AND you can take ammo with you that way, as well.

 

[Phaethon]

But, again, wouldn't that require a locking TSA-approved hard case or something? I would have to check it in separately too, I imagine, since my long-rifle obviously wouldn't fit into any of my bags. The costs of the hard case and checked luggage would probably exceed the costs of just shipping it via USPS or UPS.

Edit - Besides, I'm not bringing any of my ammo with me anyway. I only have steel-core spitzers, and the ranges in the area only allow lead soft points.

 

[oneounceload]

Go to the PO and mail the gun - insure it for what it is worth - no biggie - just make sure you secure the ends really well so the barrel doesn't poke through

 

[rellascout]

It is MUCH, MUCH easier to take the rifle in checked baggage, AND you can take ammo with you that way, as well.

No it isn't. Shipping a long gun using the USPS is easy and cheaper than checking it in a bag. Priority mail is perfect for this type of thing.

Now you might arrive before the gun but the same thing is going to happen with UPS.