Shipping pistols on FedEx vs. UPS...

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J

JoseM

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Fuquay Varina, NC
Well, I sold my SW1911 to a guy in the same state and did some research on shipping firearms. The UPS website said that the shipper had to be a FFL holder or a "licensed collector". I myself have a FFL 03 license and could only imagine this is what it meant...but not wanting to take any chances, I decided to go through FedEx...

I did a search for a FedEx staffed store (not a drop off or a packing place that used FedEx) and found a FedEx/Kinkos about 10 minutes from work...well I went there and they said they couldn't ship it b/c they were owned by FedEx and not really a FedEx store?! What?! They said they can't ship any dangerous items like 1) Live Viruses...2) Blood...3) Firearms?!

What? They rank Live viruses the same as firearms?! Even though their website says they do it and the manager was very adament that they don't...not at this particular store...I would have to go 30 minutes away to ship it..

Well, I went to a UPS store that was even closer to work than this FedEx...I took with me the FFL license of the guy I was sending it to and my FFL 03 license. Before the guy said anything I told him that it was a pistol and their website allowed me to ship it as long as I was shipping to a FFL and I had a FFL myself. I explained that mine was a collector's license and the guy just made copies of my FFL and the receiver's FFL and all was O.K.

Man, the whole ordeal just pissed me off! I never really liked FedEx before, but now I'm fully a UPS guy!
 
I had a similar experience with the UPS Store before. The guy I bought my CZ from shipped it to my FFL via a UPS store. It took forever to get here, so in the meantime, I called the UPS store, and they told me they do not ship firearms b/c it's against their policy. But the guy had already shipped it. So I was worried that I might not get it, but luckily I did. Apparently, per this employee, The UPS Store does not ship firearms (all "The UPS Store" locations, according to her). She didn't say whether UPS itself had a different policy than "The UPS Store", but it surprised me.

But, on the whole, I much prefer UPS to FedEx. The FedEx drivers are psycho around here. They peel down my street at ridiculous speeds and blow every stop sign. They also leave valuable packages sitting outside your door for anyone to take. As annoying as it is when you get the UPS note saying they'll come back another day b/c you weren't home, it's better than having your expensive items sitting on the front porch for all to steal.
 
One thing I've noted from reading these kind of threads is that one man's UPS is another man's FedEx.

.
 
my expirence in texas

I was shipping a snubbie to a guy near dallas (i'm outside austin); fedex said they would do it since it wasn't an auto pistol; they said i could ship it myself (non-ffl) to an ffl. UPS would only allow ffl to ffl. Paid a dealer to ship it thru his ffl. (recieving ffl recanted & would not recieve it from non ffl, except for repair) saved lots of back & forth for a mere $10.00 + ship cost
 
Read the FedEx regulations again.

They will not accept it at a FedEx/Kinko's. UPS also has a policy against receiving them for shipment at a UPS Store. Both expect you to go to the shipping hub itself (where the trucks themselves are dispatched from). Sometimes a branch store (UPS Store or Kinko's) might take them, but that's a violation of policy.

You may like UPS, but I'll take FedEx 10 times out of 10.
 
Screw UPS.

I shipped a Bushmaster upper to Bushmaster for a bit of work. Packed it in it's hard plastic, foam lined case. Placed that inside a cardboard gun box from a local gun dealer.

Bushmaster fixed the problem, (canted front sight), and shipped it back. Notified me and gave me tracking numbers.

I was watching the progress of the package and made sure I was home today when it was due to arrive.

Arrive it did, with the endflap of the box torn open, (had been held closed with three of those big honkin staples that it takes a prybar to get loose, (almost...).

The case inside had three of the four clasps open, and the barrel was sticking out of the end of the case and poking out flush with the end of the cardboard box.

I was not happy. Bet the would-be thief was dissapointed the box only had an barreled upper reciever, and not a complete rifle, or it'd be gone. Glad he was gracious enough to leave it to be delivered to it's rightful owner, sorry P.O.S. thieves...:fire: :fire: :fire:

Notified Bushmaster and UPS. Won't do any good though.

This is the second time in as many months that I've received something via UPS that had been opened and gone through in transit.

I won't use those thieving morons ever again, if I have a choice.

E.T.A. this occured today, by the way...
 
As stated UPS Store and Fedex Kinkos do not ship any firearms. You might find an sympethic employee at the store who will ship it for you but that is the exception not the rule. Your options are to go to the main distribution hub in your area, or find a FFL dealer that will ship it for you, useally for a fee. The hubs useally have a staffed counter where one can ship packages. It is also mandatory to notify the clerk at the counter that the package contains a firearm. If you don't notify them, and the gun is lost or damaged in shipping. They mostly likley will not honor the insurance put on the package. All handguns must go by Overnight express. Longarms can go by ground.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Support/SupportFAQView.asp?FAQID=1118&NoCount=1
 
A non-licensee can mail a long gun to an FFL, a FFL can mail a pistol to another FFL. I use USPS for all shipping. Take the long guns to the post office, take the pistols to my dealer, he logs the pistol in/out, puts it in one of the flat rate priority mail boxes ($8.80) and pay the $20 transfer fee. Sure easier and cheaper than the UPS/FedEx hassles.
 
Both of these companies have employees like most of the wal-marts. Clueless and/or scared. They need more education on their policies.

One UPS small business owner gives me the lawyer talk and "its too much liabiltiy" to ship any gun. So he does not do it. So I told him he will not get business for me ever.
 
Let's get the NRA busy working on a repeal of the "no handguns via USPS" law.
 
sorry to revive this thread but, ok, I have someone interested in buying a pistol from me, I have no FFL, I live in VA he lives in Texas. Do I just go to my local FFL dealer and he ships it to the buyers FFL local dealer in TX?

I would appreciate any help
 
Before you go to the store, go on the website a print out the policy. Most employees are clueless and simply think gun=bad.
 
Do I just go to my local FFL dealer and he ships it to the buyers FFL local dealer in TX?
Click to expand...

The answer is yes, that's the way to do it. Be sure to get a copy of the FFL license of the dealer in TX, and bring that with your firearm to your FFL.
 
sorry to revive this thread but, ok, I have someone interested in buying a pistol from me, I have no FFL, I live in VA he lives in Texas. Do I just go to my local FFL dealer and he ships it to the buyers FFL local dealer in TX?
Click to expand...

You can send the pistol via UPS or Fedex Overnight service to the buyer's FFL dealer. They will then transfer the pistol the the buyer. You will also need a signed copy of the FFL dealers license, which they can fax to you, to verify that the business has a license. Take note that you will have take the package to a UPS or FedEx staffed location, not a shipping store such as the UPS store etc.
 
ok so his FFL sends me the copy of the license, I box up the gun to ship, then show Fedex the FFL sheet when they ask what I am shipping?

thanks
 
Yes, under federal law you have to notify the shipping agent that the box contains a handgun, and it must be shipped By Overnight Express. This is why you must take the package to a Fedex/UPS staffed location with the FFL. Do no take it to a Kinkos or UPS store since they have company polices against shipping firearms. You can use one of their overnight express boxes which is the perfect size for shipping a handgun. I also recommend that you go to Fedex website and print out the policy on shipping handguns since you might run into some flak at the counter if the agent doesn't know the policy.
 
One thing I'd suggest is not to go cheap. Overnight might be more expensive, yes, but you're also far more likely to recieve your packages intact and on time.

My work receives many items from Fedex/UPS/DHL/misc freight. From talking with the drivers, overnight packages receive special attention for their delivery. Fedex even has a seperate driver for all overnight/air stuff. From comparing the various drivers for both ground and overnight, they definitly put higher grade employees in the air truck.

Send two items, one through air and one through ground and the ground package will be more beaten up 99% of the time. Sometimes severly. Once they even managed to shorten a server grade APC UPS by an inch. Now, the UPS was packed in a box with wood&styrofoam, and the case of the UPS can take a 200 pound guy jumping on it without noticing.
 
Well when I walk into a UPS store with a UPS VHS size box all ready to go I don't see any sign about firearms and I don't get asked if I am shipping a firearm and I don't sign any paper stating I am shipping a firearm.

I don't tell them because they don't ask. If they want to know they should ask.
 
I agree. with ^

I don't want to pay a higher price just to reward the shipper for the dishonesty of the employees.

I've seen somewhere that it's only illegal to not notify the shipper if it's between Non-FFL to Non-FFL. I don't belive that there's any law against it not going over night either.
 
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there are a lot of different opinions on shipping handguns, I think I may just take it to my FFL and have them send it to my buyers FFL.......
 
Fedex & UPS Regulations on shipping firearms.

"FedEx Express can only accept and deliver firearms between areas served in the U.S. under the following conditions: (1) you agree to tender shipments of firearms to us only 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 local, state or federal regulations; (2) the shipper and recipient must be of legal age as identified by applicable state law.

Firearms must be shipped via FedEx Priority Overnight service. FedEx cannot ship or deliver firearms C.O.D. or with a signature release. Upon presenting the package for shipment, the person tendering the shipment to FedEx is required to notify the FedEx employee who accepts the package 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. Firearms shipments cannot be placed in a FedEx Express Drop Box.

You also agree not to ship loaded firearms or firearms with ammunition in the samepackage. Ammunition is an explosive and must be shipped separately as dangerous goods. 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."

http://www.fedex.com/us/services/us/po.html Click on Terms & Conditions on the right hand menu.

UPS: http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/prepare/guidelines/firearms.html
 
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