? Waranty work: FFL needed ?

[Sgt.Sausage]

General question: Do I need to ship through a FFL licensee (whatever they're called) if I have to ship a handgun back to the manufacturer for waranty or recall type work on the gun?


Got caught up in the PPK recall from S&W ( http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...catalogId=10001&content=62303&sectionId=10506 ).

I submitted my request for pre-paid shipping via UPS (nice of 'em to pay the shipping) ... but haven't received it, nor any instructions ... yet.


I've never had to ship any of my weapons for any reason. I know when you buy one online it has to be shipped to you through a FFL license holder -- but when you ship it back to manufacturer (or gunsmith/repair-guy) do you need FFL to ship ?


Thanks in advance!

 

[DHJenkins]

I'm curious about this too. The one time I had to return something to the manufacturer (about 3 years ago), I was told to simply box it up and ship it fedex or ups overnight and to leave any indications of what it might be off the box.

 

[hnk45acp]

If you are shipping to a manufacturer usually you do not have to go thru an FFL, however shippers like UPS and FEDEX usually demand that firearms be shipped next day air, which is expensive so many people I know just have their FFLs ship them out because the FFL can ship it ground and the customer pays the FFL for the shipping fee. That's if you can find a nice FFL to do that for you

 

[NavyLCDR]

I submitted my request for pre-paid shipping via UPS (nice of 'em to pay the shipping) ... but haven't received it, nor any instructions ... yet.

If the manufacturer is sending you a label, all you are required to do, by Federal law, is put their label on your package, drop it off at UPS or have a driver pick it up at your house, and be done with it. Federal law does NOT require you to notify UPS of the contents of that package, because it is going to a licensed manufacturer. Also, since you are shipping to a licensed manufacturer, no FFL involvement on your part is required. The manufacturer will ship the firearm directly to your house after repair/replacement.

UPS company policy does require notification of the firearm shipment and UPS company policy requires that you send it next day air. These are not requirements by law, only UPS company policy. I would assume that since the manufacturer is providing you with the pre-paid shipping label that they are meeting any requirements they have agreed to with UPS.

If it were me, I would have a driver pick it up (drop off at UPS would be second choice), keep my mouth shut about what the package contains, unless asked by UPS.

 

[007BondJamesBond007]

I got an email from them saying they will send out shippers in about 3 weeks. They don't want a flood of ppk yet. There is so many ppk recalled that it might take some time gearing up.

 

[WardenWolf]

I don't have the full text of the law, but there was a portion in Federal law that specifically states that you do not have to go through an FFL if the gun is being shipped to or returned from gunsmithing or service. In other words, you can ship the firearm directly to the manufacturer for service, and the firearm can be returned directly to you.

 

[NavyLCDR]

From S&W:

Smith & Wesson - PPK, PPK/S Recall Prepaid Label Instructions

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IMPORTANT NOTE: You will receive your prepaid shipping label in a SEPARATE EMAIL. This email DOES NOT include the prepaid shipping label, it contains instructions on how to ship your PPK or PPK/S pistol back to us.
------------------

Smith & Wesson Warranty Repair Shipping Instructions

1) Use a sturdy, unmarked fiberboard box to ship the product, and ensure that it is securely sealed. If the return is a handgun via UPS overnight service, a UPS Customer Center will supply an express shipping box upon request. Call (800) 654-3848 for the nearest UPS location.

2) Apply the shipping label to the shipping carton. Important: Write down the tracking number and save it as a reference. Smith & Wesson insures authorized returns, and will process claims for replacement in the unlikely event the package should become lost.

3) INSIDE THE BOX BE SURE TO INCLUDE A LETTER WITH YOUR NAME, STREET ADDRESS (NO POST OFFICE BOX, PLEASE) AND DAYTIME PHONE NUMBER, AND THE REASON YOU ARE RETURNING THE PRODUCT. IF THE PRODUCT WAS PURCHASED DIRECTLY FROM SMITH & WESSON, BE SURE TO INCLUDE A COMPLETED "RETURN AND EXCHANGE SLIP" THAT WAS PROVIDED WITH YOUR ORDER.

4) IMPORTANT: Do not reuse any carton that bears an ORM-D marking, or has any other unrelated address labeling.

5) UPS accepts firearm returns at UPS daily pickup accounts and UPS Customer Centers. Call (800) 654-3848 for the nearest UPS location. Important: Only Non-firearm merchandise may be returned using UPS drop-off boxes or The UPS Store. Note: UPS requires that you verbally inform the receiving UPSer (driver service provider or customer center employee) that a package contains firearms.

6) For on-call pickup of firearms at your home or place of business, call (800)-654-3848 between 8am - 8pm EST. Please mention that you are returning a Smith & Wesson or Walther item.

7) Remember that someone must be home to receive the firearm when it is returned to you. Federal regulations prohibit a driver from leaving the firearm unless an adult receives it, so you must not sign the "Driver Release" section of the Delivery Notice that UPS uses to notify you of an attempted delivery.

PLEASE NOTE: DO NOT SHIP ANY AMMUNITION WITH A FIREARM!

That's all you have to do - Smith & Wesson will pay the shipping cost for you! It's another feature and benefit of the Smith & Wesson AdvantageT!

Notice PPK2

 

[nalioth]

Shipping handguns sticky - THR

Please don't take any guesses for this.

The wrong guess lead to a felony.

The URL has links to the actual laws involved.