Shipping Question

[Trent]

Question.

When I shipped a rifle to Krieger last year, the local UPS store wouldn't accept it. So I drove an hour to the nearest UPS hub and shipped it there. At the counter I declared it a firearm, the clerk brought the manager in, and he said I couldn't ship firearms via UPS. I explained it was going to a manufacturer, and they allowed me to ship it. (Was going from IL to WI).

Can someone who is current with shipping regulations break down how to ship firearms via UPS, Fedex, and USPS? I know interstate shipping must go to an FFL licensee or manufacturer, but who ships what and how?

Thanks.

 

[NavyLCDR]

Look in the firearms section in the three FEDEX tarriffs here:
http://www.fedex.com/us/service-guide/terms/express-ground/index.html

The UPS tarriff here:
http://www.ups.com/media/en/terms_service_us.pdf

And the Domestic Mail Manual here:
http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/601.htm#1198527

and 18 USC 922 (a)(3), (a)(5) and (e) here:
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/usc_sec_18_00000922----000-.html

That's everything regarding shipping firearms by non-FFLs. There are some exceptions in other regulations if the shipper holds an FFL - such as returning a repaired or replacement firearm directly back to the original owner.

 

[SunnySlopes]

Unless things have changed.........

You can ship your rifle via the post office. They accept rifles from non FFLs. They will not ship handguns from non FFLs.

No "store," be it fedex or UPS, will ship firearms. You have to take firearms to a main "hub." Long guns can go normally. The last time I shipped a handgun I had to ship it overnight. (UPS) It was pricey.

Another alternative, if you need to ship a handgun, is for you is to find a FFL who will ship for a fee. He can use the post office to ship a handgun.

Hope this helps.

 

[m1911.10mm]

I guess the question has already been answered.

It does seem to me, though, that the shippers seem to draw a different crowd. Actually, they seem to be able to hire a different kind of people. Maybe they just have different training requirements.

I've shipped to Metaloy, Inc., ROBAR, and to Novak's twice, without incident each time. Simply take it in to FedEx and tell them that I'm shipping a handgun for repair. They remind me of the overnight requirement. I pay my money and I leave.

Between the FedEx in Corpus Christi TX and Victoria TX, I have never encountered an employee who was not both professional and knowledgeable.

I made the mistake of mailing a 1911 slide USPS one time. I didn't know until then that there is such a thing as a 25 dollar stamp. I forget the cost, but this guy pulls out a collection of stamp books and comes up with a collection of 2 and 3 dollar stamps and a 25 dollar stamp and sticks it on the package. Then comes up with the same collection for the return shipping. The day was half over by the time he was done. This in the year 2011.

I've become quite biased. It's FedEx or nothing for me.

.

 

[Trent]

Thanks guys!

(Wanting to gunbroker some old stuff to raise some Christmas capitol for the kiddies, but wanted to get current first - haven't shipped a gun in almost 3 years..)

 

[Twiki357]

I've never had the need to ship a hand gun or rifle, but from the number of threads popping up on here the last couple of months, It sounds like UPS needs to do some training classes.

 

[Murcielago]

In my experience, in Phoenix, UPS is far superior to FedEx. FedEx will look and treat you as though you're shipping plutonium. Big headache regarding proper packaging (they require you use FedEx packaging). UPS - no problems at all. Very nice people. Service with a smile.

 

[El Mariachi]

Fwiw, I bought another C & R rifle off of G/B last week, from an 001 FFL pawn shop back east somewhere. They had it packed and ready and picked up from their store by their UPS guy last Thursday, and it's 'sposed to land on my front porch tomorrow----according to my tracking number at least.....

 

[DPris]

Sent at least five guns via the local UPS HUB within the past couple months.
That one, at least, has some knowlegeable employees. I've never been refused there in many years of shipping handguns. Some locations are better informed than others, but the UPS STORES are not supposed to accept firearms, period.
Otherwise, rifles & shotguns are mailed.
Denis

 

[SSN Vet]

I've shipped long guns at the local USPS....

I called and checked the regs at a different P.O. and on line

Then I took it in, well packaged and shipped it off the Winchester's contract service center in Ogden, Utah.

I didn't tell them it was a gun. And when they asked if I had anything flamable, or explosive inside I said "no".

The regs do state that the package can not have any markings identifying the contents as a firearm.

Away it went for something like $15

I've Shipped a hand gun to a gunsmith via USPS through my local FFL guy. Paid him his usual $10 transfer fee and then paid the P.O. $25 to ship (most of that cost was for insurance $900). He simply presented his FFL and a filled out Form 1508, stating that he was an FFL and that it was being shipped to an FFL for repair.

Having a friendly relationship with a local kitchen counter FFL is really a great thing!