Home Forums Gear Free Classifieds Gun Shipping question

I've got a gun I would like to post in this forum. Whats the best way to ship a rifle to someone? Fed-ex USPS? What are the rules on selling and shipping firearms?

Fedex has been the best source for shipping a rifle for me.You just have to make sure you send the rifle to a FFL holder and not a private individual.I have buyer send a Copy of FFL with payment.

I have used them all the best and cheapest is the USPS. insured and get a returned signature from them. they will send you a card stating when it was delivered and the person that signed for it. I use priority mail usually 3-4 days anywhere in the US add another day for alaska.. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

also alot of ffl holders will not accept a gun unless it comes from a ffl holder.

This is sooooooooo true although it is not the law.

Jim

FWIW I've used the US Postal Service priority mail to ship the last few rifles I've sold or sent to the factory for repair.

They don't ask stupid questions like UPS or Fedex. Just bring in a long rectangular box, lay it on the scales, pay your money and it gets there in 2-3 days. At least all of them I've shipped have arrived safely so far.

Much cheaper too. UPS, not sure about Fedex, requires all firearms to go overnight. I just LOVE their reason for this - "our employees have too many chances to steal it if it goes via ground transportation". Yeah, I have a very nice retort to that line of thinking...

Average cost to send a rifle from here to Alaska or Virginia via USPS Priority mail was about $28-30. You do have to use UPS to ship handguns if you're not an FFL holder. Last handgun I shipped to Alaska cost me close to $80.

UPS can go **** **********.

If you don't declare that firearm as a firearm and ship it USPS, you can have big trouble. I have an FFL, and I do use USPS but it is several forms to fill out.

True, and I wont do business with them if they require it. But going back to your question. The absolute best way to ship is USPS insured with delivery confirmation. The post office will pay an insurance claim on a firearm a lot easier and faster than either FedEx or UPS.

I have never been asked once in my life to complete a form at the post office to mail a rifle or shotgun and I am not a dealer and I declare the weapon when I ship it.
What forms are they requiring you to complete?

+1 on questions on the forms.. handguns may require paperwork (don't know), but long guns don't require anything but declaring it. Technically they have the right to inspect it to make sure it's unloaded and there's no ammo there, but never had them ask.

You can ship Long Guns Via FedEx Ground for a cheaper alternative.

Oops, I guess you are right. I have only shipped handguns via USPS come to think of it. It was way cheaper than having to use UPS overnight though. I usually use UPS for rifles, usually doesn't cost more than 8-12 dollars even with insurance. My Kimber was only 14 to New York from Wisconsin even with the 1K insurance. It cost me over $50 to ship a S&W handgun back to the factory for a trigger job with UPS. They said the box was over a certain size, so it was about double.

Hubert I'm so proud of you..you remembered Alaska actually has mail service <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Jim

Just to be clear.
Your UPS store has a policy of "all guns go overnight"

I have shipped long guns at my UPS with no problems going ground.

I just shipped a long gun tonight and it weighed 65# and cost $45. Pretty cheap to me. Also was insured for $2200.

You are probably correct on the long guns. Since USPS will ship them I haven't used UPS in over a decade. Since USPS won't ship handguns for a non-FFL holder I'm forced to use UPS for that.

As to declaring the long guns to the USPS - I'm wondering if that isn't a requirement for an FFL holder that might not apply to a "civilian"? Don't know so am asking.

I do know that on the UPS form you have to declare the contents. I used to write "Varmint tool" or "Precision hole drilling equipment" but figured I'd be screwed if I ever did have to file a claim (I know, I'd be screwed anyway <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />)

But with the Post Office I've never declared anything. I deal with a satellite station - one of those subcontractors that is an official post office but also handles UPS and Fedex as well. Anyway, the guy knows I'm shipping rifles as I've brought in the unwrapped factory box that clearly says Winchester or Remington for weighing and to get an exact shipping cost, then bring it in the next day covered over in a plain brown cardboard wrapper. He's never said a thing or asked for any declaration of contents. He's kind of a pr*ck too, so if there was a regulation he could throw in my face he'd probably do so.

Handguns at the USPS have to be FFL'd on both ends, also have to fill out a form that they keep for a year. Long guns have to be FFL'd on the receiving end. I've had excellent service from them. I ship everything Priority, insured, delivery confirmation. 3- 4 days from upstate NY to CA, TX. Just had two different deliveries from CO by UPS, 5 days. I sent two pkgs from here to CO on Oct.25th, they were there when I arrived on the 27th. Can't hardly beat that.

somebody correct me if im wrong but.... i thought a handgun required an ffl on BOTH ends. im an ffl and i ship handguns and longguns with no problems at my post office 1 form to fill out (which they gave me extras) and a signature of receipt

A private individual with no FFL can ship a handgun to a FFL holder legally. I have never had usps be cheaper than fedex I was using usps to ship rifles and with insurance it was around 23-$25 fedex runs me $12 even shipping it in a hard case

Long guns can go USPS by non-licensed persons. Handguns can go USPS FFL to FFL. Long guns can go USPS from one individual to another individual without having to use an FFL on either end if they are sold to residents of the same state unless there is a specific state law not allowing such a transaction. Handguns do not require an FFL on either end if sold to a resident of the same state unless there is a specific state law requiring that they go FFL to FFL or to an FFL. UPS and FedEx will probably require an FFL to FFL transfer even if both seller and buyer are residents of the same state. That would be a Company Policy as there is no Federal Regulation on Intra-State transfers of any firearms except the age limit thing. Then again some states allow persons under the age of 21 to purchase handguns through private sales. DHL is completely Anti-Gun so you can rule them out for shipping any firearm. All Interstate transfers require the use of an FFL on the receiving end. Way too many FFL holders like to make up their own rules as they go because if they can make it too expensive to purchase a firearm over the internet, then they might have a chance at a sale themselves. Way to many FFL holders don't know the rules they are supposed to be following when it comes to shipping and receiving firearms.

Try shipping it from Alaska where UPS or FedEx will only ship a handgun overnight mail.