The idiot's guide to shipping firearms?

[BridgeWalker]

I'm likely embarking on my very firstest inter-state through the mail gun trade.

How? I need an FFL holder to receive it only, or to ship it as well? I ship through which carrier? For that matter, what's the best way to package the thing? It's a long gun with two barrels, btw, so not a tiny lil' package.

And to receive what I'm getting in trade I also need an FFL, right?
How much do FFL holders typically charge?

In short, has anyone written up a nice, neat, how-to guide somewhere that I'm just missing? TIA.

 

[jhansman]

I shipped a handgun from CA to an FFL in IL by simply taking it to the UPS depot, filling out the paperwork and paying the nice man. Wasn't cheap (nearly $50, because it must go next day air) but no hassles. Yes, your shipper needs to send it to an FFL. My guy asks $35, which I pay gladly. Others in my area want upwards of $100 or a percent of the sale price + tax. BTW, you might want to go to the UPS website (link below) site and find the verbage about shipping firearms and print it. I called UPS first and got some lamebrain who knew from nothing about their policy.

The link below will spell it all out for you. Notice that right at the top it says "Firearms will be transported only between licensed importers, licensed manufacturers, licensed dealers, and licensed collectors...", which sounds like only an FFL can ship it, but if you keep reading, you'll see that, in fact, you can ship it yourself. Good luck.

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

 

[Soybomb]

You can ship firearms interstate to those with FFL's, dealers, manufacturers, etc. If you're shipping a handgun you cannot ship it by the USPS. Fedex and UPS take everything. UPS and Fedex company policy is that handguns go next day air, federal law doesn't require you to tell them that you're shipping guns as long as its going to a FFL holder. UPS and fedex also want firearms shipped from one of their hub locations. Don't label the boxes "GUNS INSIDE" or anything like that. Any guns you get from out of state will have to go your FFL. $20-25 is a fair fee in non-california states.

You can get his dealer's license number and confirm the shipping address here https://www.atfonline.gov/fflezcheck/ Only ship to the address that shows up there. You probably should include a copy of your drivers license for the dealer's log.

 

[larry_minn]

Ufta. You expect laws and rules to be simple and actually make sense? You want them to be uniform? Shippers (and in some cases FFLs) to know laws/rules?
Sorry. Its a pain. There are many (LAWS) and sad to say more rules (and even worse folks who THINK they know laws/rules)
Also you state matters, and often what kind of gun.

Quick and dirty. (with exceptions) You as buyer MUST get a "Signed in ink" FFL card to the seller. They seller MUST send it to the address on FFL card. The FFL enters it in his/her bound book and then you must show up at his/her shop and they check you ID/do NICS check and charge you for the headaches in having a FFL/atf. Norm is $25 to $50 BUT some states there is extra charges/crap. If you have (relationship) with FFL it can be much cheaper.
Now some FFLs have decided they will ONLY accept guns from other FFLs (not private parties) on their own. (its possible some state has made this a law I have no idea as I don't keep track of other states)

Personally as you are doing a trade... I would contact my FFL and have it set up they do transfer FFL to FFL for security reasons. (not worth loosing FFL/dealing with gun loss grief) to pull fast one. Then THEY have to deal with it. As they likely have packageing/know rules it will be worth a extra $25 plus shipping to have everyone be safe. (also if they claim gun not as advertised you have another (practiced) eye to confirm it was in good condition.
Good luck.

 

[BridgeWalker]

Ufta. You expect laws and rules to be simple and actually make sense? You want them to be uniform? Shippers (and in some cases FFLs) to know laws/rules?

Nah, I'm a law student, I know better. I was hoping for a starting point and an idea of what is the customary way for a transaction to progress so that I can at least fake it better.

Which, by the way, you all are providing nicely, so thank you!

 

[NavyLCDR]

Very Basics

Only the receiver needs to be an FFL (or a manufacturer for warranty returns), the shipper does not. Long guns can be sent using US Postal Service, handguns must go by overnight air UPS or FEDEX (that's UPS and FEDEX regs). For long guns, US Postal is a lot cheaper.

As far as getting the paperwork from an FFL to ship it to, I have no idea about that, I have only shipped a handgun back to the manufacturer. I would suggest just calling the receiving FFL and explain you want to ship a firearm to them and trust them to send you what you need. Rarely will any FFL and certainly NO reputable FFL will lead you astray because it means Federal prison time for them if they do.

FFL's can ship handguns via US Postal service and it's often times cheaper to take your handgun to an FFL and pay their surcharge to ship it for you to save on shipping cost.

The outside package should have no markings on it indicating a firearm, but you must inform the Post Office or FEDEX/UPS that a firearm is being shipped.

 

[everallm]

Can someone illuminate a area of concern on this.

Lets suppose I have bought my nice Bangomatic EBR and want to send the lower receiver to a gunsmith for a trigger job or return to manufacturer for tweaking/fixing.

Do I still need to have it returned via an FFL?

As far as I was aware the FFL requirement was to ensure the necessary ATF paperwork was completed upon purchase.

 

[NavyLCDR]

Manufacturer - NO. They can return the firearm directly without any FFL regardless of where they are located.

Gunsmith - NO - If the gunsmith is in the same state as you, they can return the firearm directly to you.

Gunsmith - YES - If the gunsmith is in a different state as you, they would have to send it to an FFL in your state.

I am absolutely certain about the first two cases above, but the third case I only believe to be true.

 

[EOD Guy]

Senior Member

Quick and dirty. (with exceptions) You as buyer MUST get a "Signed in ink" FFL card to the seller. They seller MUST send it to the address on FFL card.

There is no need for the shipper to have a copy of the receiving FFLs license unless they are also licensed. All you need is the first 3 and last 5 numbers of the FFL and the validity of the license can be verified on the BATF eZCheck web site.

Although you must ensure that you are shipping to a licensee, there is nothing that says you must ship to the address on the FFL, although it would be foolish to do so unless you personally knew the receiving FFL.

Manufacturer - NO. They can return the firearm directly without any FFL regardless of where they are located.

Gunsmith - NO - If the gunsmith is in the same state as you, they can return the firearm directly to you.

Gunsmith - YES - If the gunsmith is in a different state as you, they would have to send it to an FFL in your state.

I am absolutely certain about the first two cases above, but the third case I only believe to be true.

An out of state gunsmith can send directly back to the customer.