Just out of curiosity, if you are only allowed to ship to a licensed dealer, manufacturer, etc how can there be provisions for when you ship to someone that is not licensed?
You're not reading carefully. This statute only relates to informing the carrier. You need not inform the carrier (by law, not by carrier policy) if you are shipping to one of the four listed "licensees." Shipments can still be made to persons
other than those four categories of licensees, i.e. when the factory ships your repaired firearm back to you (non-licensee), when you ship to yourself (non-licensee), or when you ship to a non-licensee in the SAME STATE. In those cases, the law says you must inform the carrier.
Also I see that is dated 2001. The provision they show you at FedEx is from 2005 if I remember correctly and my dealer told me they just recently changed the law (part of this change allowed to fax FFL forms instead of send hard copies).
FedEx show you FedEx policies. I doubt very strongy they trotted out 18 USC 922 (e). The statute has NOT changed, so the fact it's a 2001 interpretation doesn't matter. The underlying
LAW has not changed. The current statute is available online. Look it up.
Long story short. All the carriers require you to inform them. If you do not they can legally seize your package. Also they require a copy of the FFL or they will not ship it.
Long story short: this is wrong. Yes, carrier policies DO require you to inform them. But, since there is NO markings allowed on the outside of the package to indicate it's a firearm, how does Smedley at the sorting center KNOW if you informed the counter geek it's a firearm when you shipped it? Secret stamp? Special label? (No.) And, NO, they do not require you to show them a copy of the FFL when you ship it. At least FedEx's policy doesn't. I have shipped numerous firearms through FedEx, and I have NEVER had to provide the FFL. On those times I've declared it as a firearm, I've had a few who knew it had to go Priority Overnight, and one even knew it was supposed to be "inoperable," and I've had a LOT who grabbed the book and read me the policy word-for-word as we shipped it "together," but I've never had to show an FFL. Here's the current FedEx policy (from their website):
Restrictions specific to FedEx SameDay (Excerpted):
2 (a): The following items are prohibited and will not be acceptable for shipment by FedEx SameDay service: Firearms.
Firearms. FedEx will only accept shipments of firearms when either the shipper or recipient is a licensed manufacturer, licensed importer, licensed dealer or licensed collector and is not prohibited from making such shipments by federal, state or local regulations when these conditions are met. FedEx will accept and deliver firearms between all areas served in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
Firearms must be shipped via FedEx Priority Overnight and may not be sent C.O.D. Upon presenting the package for shipment, the shipper is required to inform FedEx that the package contains a firearm. Firearms may not be shipped in one complete piece. When tendered for shipment, the firearm must be rendered inoperable, either by removing the firing pin in the gun and disconnecting the barrel, or by some other means so the package does not contain a completely assembled, usable weapon. The outside of the package should bear no label, marking, or other written notice that a firearm is contained within. This includes the abbreviation of the name of the shipper or recipient if the name would clearly indicate that the package could contain a firearm. Firearms and ammunition may not be shipped in the same package. Ammunition is always an explosive and must be shipped as Dangerous Goods. Signature release is not available for shipments containing firearms.
The shipper and recipient are required to comply with all applicable government regulations and laws including those pertaining to labeling. The local division office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) can provide assistance with the packaging and shipment of firearms.
Here's UPS's Policy, also from their website:
Shipping Firearms Including Handguns
Customers must observe the following procedures to ship firearms (including handguns) via UPS:
UPS will accept firearms for transportation only according to the terms and conditions in the UPS Tariff.
UPS accepts firearm shipments from UPS daily pickup accounts and through UPS Customer Centers. UPS daily pickup accounts can also ship firearms, not including handguns, through UPS Internet Shipping, On-Call PickupSM, and One-Time Pickup. Firearms are not accepted for shipment via UPS Drop Boxes, UPS SonicAir BestFlightSM service, or international service. Firearms will not be accepted when presented for shipment at locations of The UPS Store or any third-party retailer.
UPS accepts handgun shipments from UPS daily pickup accounts and through UPS Customer Centers. Handguns are not accepted for shipment via UPS Drop Boxes, UPS SonicAir BestFlight service, UPS Internet Shipping, UPS On-Call Pickup, UPS One-Time Pickup, or international service. Handguns will not be accepted when presented for shipment at locations of The UPS Store or any third-party retailer.
The shipper must affix a UPS label, requesting an adult signature upon delivery, to each package containing a firearm.
Packages containing handguns must be shipped via UPS Next Day Air Early A.M.®, UPS Next Day Air®, or UPS Next Day Air Saver® service.
Packages containing handguns must be segregated from other packages being tendered to UPS. Handgun shippers must verbally notify the UPS driver or UPS Customer Center clerk of any package containing a handgun.
UPS prohibits the inclusion of ammunition in packages containing firearms, including handguns.
Show me where it says you must show them an FFL.
Now, having said all this, we ALL know that counter help is counter help, and you CANNOT rely on them to have the right word, or even to know where to get the right word. Everyone on this board has read posts where the FedEx/UPS employee didn't know the policy, spouted the WRONG policy, couldn't FIND the policy, etc. Results go from great ("Oh, a gun. OK. Ground is cheaper.") to hysterical ("A gun! You can't ship/own/think about GUNS!"), and everywhere in between. You owe it to yourself to know the policy, and the law, and know which is which.
