shipping question with a twist

[King Red]

Hi, I'm working on a Saiga conversion and I'm getting ready to ship it to AK USA for a little work. What I'm shipping is only the barrel and completely stripped out receiver...no stocks, no fire control parts etc. I have it all wrapped up in an inconspicuous brown box. I know a receiver is considered a firearm, but do I still have to declare it if it's not in working condition. I'd rather not have to open the box and show them what's in there, I also don't want to pay some huge amount to ship a rifle sized box overnight. Also, I'm not concerned with insuring a $300 rifle so that's not an issue.

I would like to ship it from the local Fedex/Kinko's. I've searched every shipping related post but haven't found one similar to my situation.

Thanks for any advice you can give.

 

[Hkmp5sd]

Yep. As you said, ATF claims the receiver is a firearm, so you must tell them you are shipping a firearm.

 

[Navy87Guy]

For comparison, I just picked up a Stag AR receiver this weekend. Just the receiver - no parts, nothing. Had to fill out the paperwork and get the VSP approval. That's the only part of the gun that requires approval - even though it's nothing but a hunk of metal. So don't try to apply logic -- make sure you declare it (which means it has to be transferred back to an FFL before you get it...make sure you've figured that expense into your project cost!)

Jim

 

[Dave P]

Ship it USPS and you don't have to tell them anything.

 

[Hkmp5sd]

(which means it has to be transferred back to an FFL before you get it...make sure you've figured that expense into your project cost!)

No it doesn't. He is sending it in for customization/repair, so it can be shipped back to him.

 

[Brian Williams]

Ship it thru the Post Ofice, Brown box no labels stating it is a firearm(the receiver is the firearm).

Insure and track it.

 

[Jim Watson]

Kinko's will not take a gun for Fedex, you have to go to the terminal.

It is legal for an American Commoner to mail a rifle to a licensed gunsmith. That will be the cheapest and most convenient, although you might have to get a nervous postal clerk to call the postmaster and get out the big book of regulations to get it done.

 

[Husker1911]

Edit: Jim Watson is correct, Kinko's or another agent for FedEx or UPS won't ship your firearm.

 

[Gator]

I always ship rifles insured Priority Mail with a tracking number and have had no problems. I print the label at home and just hand the box over to the clerk.