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Is it against the law to box a rifle up and cover any markings indicating a firearm is inside,take it to post office and ship?

(I'm not an FFL)

I've been told the same before. Just shipped one this week. Make sure you are not using a "UPS Store", but rather a hub location. Some of the stores refuse firearm shipments.

The "UPS Stores" are franchises, so they make their own rules. I have a UPS Store about 3 miles from here, but have to make a 36 mile round trip to the UPS Center whenever I want to ship a long gun.

Shipped same rifle from same service center to same smith about a year ago.

Just saying, the law says you need to disclose you are shipping a firearm. Whether your particular driver cares or not is irrelevant.... Bypass that fact at your own risk.

UPS just told me they don't ship from firearm owner to ffl holding gunsmith anymore. I haven't tried USPS or FedEX . Are they the same ? UPS told me they quit doing this about a year ago. Do we now have to ship exclusively from FFL to FFL ?

This is not a law as USP doesn't make law..
From UPS website.
Damn, where's Bricktop?

Federal law requires that the carrier be notified that the shipment contains a firearm or ammunition, prohibits common or contract carriers from requiring or causing any label to be placed on any package indicating that it contains a firearm and requires obtaining written acknowledgement of receipt.

But you still need to disclose that a firearm is in the package when filling out the on-line shipping label process.

He said/she said.


Lots of ill informed people on the 'Fire.

If SENDER is a PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL (non-licensee):

ANTIQUE GUN (pre-1899) to ANYONE: An individual may use either the Post Office or common carrier.
Handguns: FedEx and UPS both require that handguns (antique or modern) go by a "Next Day" service.

MODERN GUN to another PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL in a DIFFERENT STATE: An individual can NOT ship direct. He must ship to an FFL licensed gun dealer, who will complete the transfer to the recipient in compliance with Federal & state law (usually a "yellow sheet" form 4473 & instant background check).
If it's a handgun, the dealer must be in the same state as the recipient.
Recommended: See below for how to ship to an FFL Dealer. Most guns shops will receive and transfer firearms for individual customers for a fee.

MODERN GUN to another PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL in the SAME STATE: Shipment is permitted under federal law. Use the methods suggested for shipping to an FFL Dealer, listed below. STATE AND LOCAL RESTRICTIONS MAY APPLY.

MODERN HANDGUN to a licensed FFL DEALER: An individual must use common carrier, cannot use U.S. Post Office. FedEx and UPS require that handguns go by a "Next Day" service. Carrier must be notified that the package contains a firearm.
Returns -- Note that you do not have to have an FFL dealer ship for you to ship to another FFL dealer. However, if the gun has to be returned to you, it will most likely have to be shipped to an FFL dealer near you, who will make the transfer of your gun back to you, and usually charge a fee for this service.

MODERN LONG GUN to a licensed FFL DEALER: May use U.S. Post Office or a common carrier. Carrier must be notified that the package contains a firearm.

....and the NRA, I would think their lawyers are on top of the subject:
http://www.nramuseum.com/gun-info-research/how-to-ship-guns-and-ammo.aspx

922. Unlawful acts

(a) It shall be unlawful --

(2) for any importer, manufacturer, dealer, or collector licensed under the provisions of this chapter to ship or transport in interstate or foreign commerce any firearm to any person other than a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector, except that --

(A) this paragraph and subsection (b)(3) shall not be held to preclude a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector from returning a firearm or replacement firearm of the same kind and type to a person from whom it was received; and this paragraph shall not be held to preclude an individual from mailing a firearm owned in compliance with Federal, State, and local law to a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector;

(e) It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to deliver or cause to be delivered to any common or contract carrier for transportation or shipment in interstate or foreign commerce, to persons other than licensed importers, licensed manufacturers, licensed dealers, or licensed collectors, any package or other container in which there is any firearm or ammunition without written notice to the carrier that such firearm or ammunition is being transported or shipped; except that any passenger who owns or legally possesses a firearm or ammunition being transported aboard any common or contract carrier for movement with the passenger in interstate or foreign commerce may deliver said firearm or ammunition into the custody of the pilot, captain, conductor or operator of such common or contract carrier for the duration of the trip without violating any of the provisions of this chapter. No common or contract carrier shall require or cause any label, tag, or other written notice to be placed on the outside of any package, luggage, or other container that such package, luggage, or other container contains a firearm.

§ 478.31 Delivery by common or contract carrier.
(a) No person shall knowingly deliver or cause to be delivered to any common or contract carrier for transportation or shipment in interstate or foreign commerce to any person other than a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector, any package or other container in which there is any firearm or ammunition without written notice to the carrier that such firearm or ammunition is being transported or shipped: Provided, That any passenger who owns or legally possesses a firearm or ammunition being transported aboard any common or contract carrier for movement with the passenger in interstate or foreign commerce may deliver said firearm or ammunition into the custody of the pilot, captain, conductor or operator of such common or contract carrier for the duration of that trip without violating any provision of this part.

(b) No common or contract carrier shall require or cause any label, tag, or other written notice to be placed on the outside of any package, luggage, or other container indicating that such package, luggage, or other container contains a firearm.

(c) No common or contract carrier shall transport or deliver in interstate or foreign commerce any firearm or ammunition with knowledge or reasonable cause to believe that the shipment, transportation, or receipt thereof would be in violation of any provision of this part: Provided, however, That the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply in respect to the transportation of firearms or ammunition in in-bond shipment under Customs laws and regulations.

(d) No common or contract carrier shall knowingly deliver in interstate or foreign commerce any firearm without obtaining written acknowledgement of receipt from the recipient of the package or other container in which there is a firearm: Provided, That this paragraph shall not apply with respect to the return of a firearm to a passenger who places firearms in the carrier's custody for the duration of the trip.

UPS just told me they don't ship from firearm owner to ffl holding gunsmith anymore. I haven't tried USPS or FedEX . Are they the same ? UPS told me they quit doing this about a year ago. Do we now have to ship exclusively from FFL to FFL ?

I've been told the same before. Just shipped one this week. Make sure you are not using a "UPS Store", but rather a hub location. Some of the stores refuse firearm shipments.

You have to go to a UPS terminal near you to ship a firearm. YOu cannot go to a UPS store. THrow a copy of the FFL in the box with the gun and show the clerk the FFL if absolutely needed. No need to tell him what is in the box, if he asks be honest .

(e) It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to deliver or cause to be delivered to any common or contract carrier for transportation or shipment in interstate or foreign commerce, to persons other than licensed importers, licensed manufacturers, licensed dealers, or licensed collectors, any package or other container in which there is any firearm or ammunition without written notice to the carrier that such firearm or ammunition is being transported or shipped; except that any passenger who owns or legally possesses a firearm or ammunition being transported aboard any common or contract carrier for movement with the passenger in interstate or foreign commerce may deliver said firearm or ammunition into the custody of the pilot, captain, conductor or operator of such common or contract carrier for the duration of the trip without violating any of the provisions of this chapter. No common or contract carrier shall require or cause any label, tag, or other written notice to be placed on the outside of any package, luggage, or other container that such package, luggage, or other container contains a firearm.

No person shall knowingly deliver or cause to be delivered to any common or contract carrier for transportation or shipment in interstate or foreign commerce to any person other than a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector, any package or other container in which there is any firearm or ammunition without written notice to the carrier that such firearm or ammunition is being transported or shipped: Provided, That any passenger who owns or legally possesses a firearm or ammunition being transported aboard any common or contract carrier for movement with the passenger in interstate or foreign commerce may deliver said firearm or ammunition into the custody of the pilot, captain, conductor or operator of such common or contract carrier for the duration of that trip without violating any provision of this part.

Not all, but many rifle boxes you can "unfold" to a flat piece of card board, and then "refold" in reverse so all of the printing is on the inside. Then just put the factory foam/packing in the box and you're ready to go.

I've had really good luck with Fedex. They don't ask what's in the box and I don't tell them.