Shipping out of state

[PlayboyPenguin]

ScottS

You seem to be misunderstanding the point. The point was you can tell someone it is legal to flap their arms and fly. But I would still not be telling them that they are going to be sucessful at it. The reality is the shippers WILL NOT ship without a copy of the FFL, they DO require you to notify them that it is a firearm, and if is discovered to be a firearm and you DID NOT notify them they WILL sieze the firearm. So how would you tell someone on here to ship a firearm? What I and another person told them was they will have to get a copy of the FFL and then notify FedEx, UPS, or CHL that it is a firearm before shipping. If you have EXPERIENCED different then say so. If you have shipped via any of the three carriers in another way then tell us. Maybe we can be successful your way next time.

But since we are talking law here. This is an excerpt from the current law on the ATF webpage. it is right under the FAQ.."Mailing a handgun".

A nonlicensee may ship a firearm by carrier to a resident of his or her own state or to a licensee in any state. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun. In addition, Federal law requires that the carrier be notified that the shipment contains a firearm and prohibits common or contract carriers from requiring or causing any label to be placed on any package indicating that it contains a firearm. [18 U. S. C. 922( a)( 2)( A) and 922( e), 27 CFR 178.31]

That sounds pretty clear to me.

 

[45Badger]

Let's break this down-

The reality is the shippers WILL NOT ship without a copy of the FFL

UNTRUE - Done it many times UPS, once FEDEX. The common carrier is under no burden to ensure gun is being shipped to FFL. That is shipper's (us, the customer) burden.

they DO require you to notify them that it is a firearm

TRUE- See BATF regs.

and if is discovered to be a firearm and you DID NOT notify them they WILL sieze the firearm.

An assumption on your part. They will be pissed, but as common carrier they have no legal standing. They may turn it in to police, they may return it to you.

So how would you tell someone on here to ship a firearm? What I and another person told them was they will have to get a copy of the FFL and then notify FedEx, UPS, or CHL that it is a firearm before shipping. If you have EXPERIENCED different then say so. If you have shipped via any of the three carriers in another way then tell us. Maybe we can be successful your way next time.

The way that I most often ship handguns is through my local, cheap, and reasonable FFL. He charges $15 (used to be $10), and it goes USPS Priority Mail, insured. I box it up for him (and pay for postage and insurance) to save hassle. I make it easy for him, he doesn't bone me. Typically, total cost is @ $25 for a decent handgun. Rifles, I ship direct through post office to receiving FFL.

UPS and Fedex, I box up, tell then it's a handgun, they weigh it, I fill out paperwork, they ask for money, I pay, I leave, gun gets there.

 

[PlayboyPenguin]

45Badger

An assumption on your part. They will be pissed, but as common carrier they have no legal standing. They may turn it in to police, they may return it to you.

No, this was not an assumption. This was the answer I was given when I called the 1-800-GO-FEDEX number and the answer I was given when I called UPS. I did not call DHL. They said they are required because by both law and insurance liability to seize the firearm if it has not been declared.

As for the experiences you have had shipping, I wish I had been so lucky. Not one of the three would accept a firearm without a copy of the FFL. How long ago did you ship a firearm across state line? I wish it was that cheap here. Just by weight and insurance alone the cost for me to mail it USPS was $22 and to overnight it was $60 if I was able to send it myself. That does not include any "paperwork" charges by either FFL.

 

[Soybomb]

No, this was not an assumption. This was the answer I was given when I called the 1-800-GO-FEDEX number and the answer I was given when I called UPS. I did not call DHL. They said they are required because by both law and insurance liability to seize the firearm if it has not been declared.

Just because I tell you I'm the queen of england doesn't make it so. Honestly this isn't something the shipping drones deal with that often and they're probably just eager to give you an answer and get off the phone. For them to "seize" a firearm would be theft. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v520/SRStimpert/batf1.jpg speaks volumes for if you have to legally declare its a firearm or if they would just prefer you to.

I've sent a handgun ups twice, both times at the local shipping hub. I tell them there is a firearm in the box. First time they said "is this address the manufacturer" and I said yes, they said thanks. Second time she said "no this won't work", paused a minute and got out her little employee binder and said "oh okay is this the manufactuer?" and took it. If you want to notify ups or fedex you're shipping a handgun as their policy, I'd just say something like "i checked into your policy on shipping firearms and I'm told I need to tell you there is a firearm in this package and its going to a federally licensed dealer/manufacturer."

Ymmv and all that.

 

[WeedWhacker]

I just shipped out a rifle to a gunsmith/licensed dealer without even informing the clerks at the desk what it was. I used one of a number of descriptions to describe the contents: parts, tools, etc., all accurate without stating it's a firearm. I just make darned sure it's unloaded and packed well, no muss, no fuss.

 

[PlayboyPenguin]

WeedWhacker

I think rifles and shotguns fall under different rules. I am sure one of the other guys in this thread can confirm or deny that.

 

[kfranz]

How did you ship USPS? Are you an FFL holder?

No I was not an FFL at that time. Long guns are no problem via USPS, and that's what I shipped. Izzy HB FAL. Shoulda kept it... They suggested I send it certified for my protection, but that was it.

PP, it seems that you are getting a bit hung up on the difference between what is and what ought to be. I've had people at the local UPS hub (the same one where I have shipped firearms no questions asked) tell me THEY could not ship firearms PERIOD.

All shippers have their policies and procedures, and Federal law is mixed in there as well. What the guy at the counter does is not always the same as what the 1-800-uselessinfoline tell you he will do.

The guy that works most evenings now at the UPS hub will call me when I get boxes in and ask me if I want them held...

 

[PlayboyPenguin]

Oh...long guns. The original discussion was about shipping handguns. Not rifles. Rifles fall under a different set of rules.

 

[kfranz]

The original question did not specify handguns or long.

 

[PlayboyPenguin]

There might lie the confusion. Where I come from a gun is a pistol or a revolver. A rifle or long gun are not guns but can be refered to as weapons or firearms. Like in the ARMY, we never call a rifle a gun.

 

[45Badger]

How long ago did you ship a firearm across state line?

Been a couple months, but I've been a pretty active buyer, swapper, trader, seller. At best (worst?) maybe a 2-3 times a month. Compulsive is the word my wife uses.

I wish it was that cheap here. Just by weight and insurance alone the cost for me to mail it USPS was $22 and to overnight it was $60 if I was able to send it myself. That does not include any "paperwork" charges by either FFL.

Like I said- $15 for my FFL on handgun (long guns go direct usps), about $8 for the flat rate priority box, couple bucks for insurance. What receiving FFL charges is not my business or problem. I try to keep costs as low as possible for myself and buyer, and hassle low for my FFL. If I ship or pick up multiple guns in one stop, he charges me $15 total. Maybe I've got it good.

I try to avoid the common carriers because they are a rip-off. We also have rectal-orifice FFLs around her who want to charge $35-50 for same service. I do not use them.