I sold a few rifles and now I have to ship them to the ffl of the new owners. I don't have the factory boxes. What do all of you use?

I put it in a box in a box, or at least a padded case in a box. If you think you tapped it and added enough packing material, think some more and add some more.

I order shipping boxes from U-Line.

Go buy a cheapo hard case and ship it in that. Wrap the case in shipping paper.

Unless you are half a retard, you can make boxes to fit other boxes with a little cutting and a bunch of tape.

Make sure you buy EXTRA insurance.

UPS stores sell Rifle boxes.That and plenty of bubble wrap works good.

Order cheap plastic gun cases, $19.95 or less, online and they come in a box. You can also order gun shipping boxes. IIRC UPS requires firearms be shipped in a “new” box, but I’ve never seen it enforced.

Ive bought cheap plastic hard cases from amazon before and they came in a plain brown box perfect for reshipping. Your local gun shop is also a good place to get boxes. Usually they are overrun by them.
Make sure you charge the buyer enough for shipping as it will probably cost more than you think. I just mailed a Remington 870 from Michigan to Washington and it cost $52. Rates have gone up.

I do more than expected to ship a rifle. Buy a $10 hard case at Walmart, pack that where the rifle doesn’t move around inside the case. Then put in a cardboard box. I want there to be ZERO issues when buyer opens box. It isn’t cheap if you do it right. It’s worth it though...

Amen.

If you just throw it in a plastic rifle case, I guarantee that [bleep] will get [bleep] up. That [bleep] shouldn't move a millimeter.

Plastic hard case ,then cardboard box.

Stop at your local gun shop, they usually have a pile of cardboard gun boxes out back and are more than willing to get rid of them. I am talking a real gun shop, not one of the chain stores.If not many of the previous suggestions work as well.

[align:center][/align]Uline or other gun box, or quality corporate box, wrap gun in Wal-Mart mattress topper. Zero issues over the years. Of course, the cheap hardside from Amazon works best. I've cut down television boxes even, they are very stout.

Shippers require the outside to be bland with no indication there is a gun inside.

Walmart has a wonderful hard case for $10 that is squared off and easy to fold heavy cardboard around for extra protection. Put packing material around the gun inside the hard case so it doesn't move around when you jerk on the closed case. I learned the hard way that a gun will go right through the end of those cases when some gorilla throws it into a truck.

You also might want to break the gun down when shipping, it’s easier to find a box that will fit it. Just wrap all the parts well.

I use the $20 plastic hard cases from Walmart or other places. I then wrap a lot of the case with duct tape so it’s not going to open at all unless someone cuts the tape off. Then just ship it that way through post office. No other box is needed.

I also buy boxes from Uline. I save pieces of 3/8"-1/2" OSB and 1/4" plywood and whatever else is available and construct wooden boxes that fit perfectly inside the Uline boxes. I also save foam packing material and bubble-wrap. I either wrap in the saved materials or place gun in a saved soft gun case and put inside the wooden box and then inside the cardboard. I have never had a single issue with a shipment and have been told my shipping boxes could be dragged behind the UPS truck without damaging the contents. Some extra effort, but well worth avoiding any issues. When I have enough materials, I make up a bunch of boxes ahead of time.

Shipping in a gun case alone without outer box is a big no no , along with labeling the shops name if it has “gun” in the name . I use abbreviations or owners name instead as long as you have the right address it’s fine. Attracting attention to a gun even though it legal to ship is a big red flag.
Also insurance is very hard if not impossible to make a claim against. Shipping companies make it very hard to do so.

To my knowledge, it is not legal for an individual to ship a rifle through the USPS. It has to go through a FFL, with paperwork to another FFL, to be legal through the mail.
Some good ideas here but I would never ship a firearm in a hard case WITHOUT BEING IN AN OUTER BOX.
donsm70

That's incorrect. Fine for a private individual to ship a long gun USPS.

Here's the best solution in my opinion: https://www.cameronpackaging.com/gun_boxes_custom_fit.html#StandardCustomRifle

Next to that, a cheap hard case in the box it came in.

I’ve been in a few hubs and local stations for UPS and FedEx. Everyone who ships anything should have the opportunity to watch the process at least once. Then maybe people would understand why your crap or heirloom china looks like it fell from a two story building and was hit by a dump truck before skipping across a river and bouncing off a ripper on a D9 Cat. Two words.....strapping tape. And lots of it.

^^^^^^^^^^^
This always works for me. And don’t skimp on the wide strapping tape!

My local FedEx drop service (e.g. pack-n-ship) is now requiring that I demonstrate to them the rifle is not loaded and there is no ammo in the box. It's a royal PITA. I have to do all the bubble wrapping, boxing and taping in the store after their inspection. When I asked about it, they said it was a recent directive from FedEx. But I've found FedEx still to be the least expensive option. Insurance through the USPS can often cost more than the shipping itself.

It is perfectly OK for a non-FFL to ship a long gun USPS. However a non-FFL may not ship a hand gun by USPS.

Incorrect . Perfectly legal for an non ffl to ship to an ffl in another state.

Just use lots of bubble wrap and padding when you box up a rifle.

This, in spades! A wood 1x4 is just the right size for the sides of a gun box, add hard board on the top and bottom and screw it together, then I build a heavy cardboard box around that and use hot glue and heavy commercial staples to seal it up. Most people don't have the type of staple gun I use so you need to use strapping tape instead. It makes for a heavy poatage charge but it's worth it and I think could survive most of what the shipping monkeys could throw at it.

I do this for all my bolt action rifle shipments. Hacksaw off the barrel and lay it next to the stock in a paper sack and close it all with a little bit of scotch tape.

Thanks, Dinny

I see one for about $15 online but not sure if it’s the same one. Do you have a link to the $10 one? Appreciate it.

Last rifle I shipped, slid the barrel into a length of foam pool noodle, wrapped the whole rifle in bubble wrap, into the cheap hard case, which I secured with lots of plastic zip ties, then into a cardboard box closed up with heavy-duty packing tape. Must have been a real project for the FFL holder to open!

Thanks for setting me straight. I appreciate it.
donsm70

Don your the first guy on the fire to say thanks not
Your all Fen stupid all the rest of you dont know what you are talking about 😊

Hank

I've been wrong before, I'll be wrong again. At the ripe old age of 70, there is still a lot to learn
donsm70

Looking back my response appears to be a bit terse. Thank you for the courteous response.

Just shipped one Friday went down to local gun store got a factory box and over box. Keep the package as small as possible to reduce shipping costs. $57 USPS with $1200 insurance AK to WA . You cant aford to use UPS here in Alaska.

I use wire ties, to make sure someone can't just open the snaps. Use plenty, don't clip them till you get to the post office. Sometimes they want them clipped, sometimes they don't. Let them decide what they want.

Why does the post office know what’s in the box?

One to the midwest recently was almost identical in cost.
After a recent goat rope with usps and a damage claim, I’m really starting to question whether the insurance is worth it.

I either pack in a cheap hardcase and then a box or 2 heavy cardboard boxes.

The key I think to my run of no problems shipping is to use "floral" boxes. Roses and flowers are shipped internationally in cardboard boxes.....hint they are heavy duty! Cut them to length to fit a hard case but pack the hard case in the box so it can NOT shift around. One time I shipped a FAL in which the UPPER is considered the firearm to the FFL and shipped the lower/mags/accessories in a separate box to the buyer. He sent me a email saying it had fooled his wife. I always check the rates, but usually USPS is cheaper.

I've shipped several using two USPS triangular boxes. One box with the barreled action goes to the FFl and the other with the stock goes directly to the buyer.

And neither looks like it might be a firearm.

Bruce

If you can break the firearm down it's easy to pack and cheaper.Also less conspicuous.You can get packing material free at any place that handle packages (stores),that's just about anywhere.

I like to take the action out of the stock and use a smaller box to make it look less like a rifle.

Just a tip, if you are going to use UPS keep it under 48". You automatically pay more if its over.

this ^^^^^^^^^^ exactly

UPS will be the first one to 'audit' the size of the package......

then will re bill the UPS account for additional shipping charges

so.....keep pkg size as small as possible.....or use USPS

A cheap soft case securly packed inside a box.....or.....

shotgun or for example Marlin 39 taken down and both pieces wrapped separately

Same with a bolt rifle separate stock from barreled action.....send both to FFL to save ship cost

Never had to make a claim......but yes insurance.....USPS will beat you up on this as the others

UPS pkg guidelines

https://www.ups.com/us/en/help-center/packaging-and-supplies/prepare-overize.page

tag

Watching

This fact always generates some blowback here on The ‘Fire, but it’s still a fact: Per BATFE regulation, the shipper (in this case the seller of the rifle) must disclose to the common carrier (UPS, USPS, Fedex or whomever) that they are shipping a firearm.

mrchongo,

Always happy to learn - where do you see said requirement for usps?

https://www.atf.gov/firearms/qa/may-nonlicensee-ship-firearm-through-us-postal-service

“May a nonlicensee ship a firearm through the U.S. Postal Service?

A nonlicensee may not transfer a firearm to a non-licensed resident of another State. A nonlicensee may mail a shotgun or rifle to a resident of his or her own State or to a licensee in any State. The Postal Service recommends that long guns be sent by registered mail and that no marking of any kind which would indicate the nature of the contents be placed on the outside of any parcel containing firearms. Handguns are not mailable. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun.
[18 U.S.C. 1715, 922(a)(5) and 922 (a)(2)(A); 27 CFR 478.31]

Last Reviewed August 31, 2015”

Insurance is a scam. Always, always a nightmare from what I’ve seen

18 USC Section 923 paragraph (e)
(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.

So it depends on whether we call USPS a contract carrier. Personally, I err on the side of caution and say ‘yes’. Your mileage may vary.

WRONG.

I guess that is the crux of the matter.

https://www.atf.gov/alcohol-tobacco...king-pact-act-information-guide/download

“2. “Common Carrier” means any person—other than a local service or the
United States Postal Service (USPS)—that holds itself out to the public as a provider for hire for the transportation of merchandise by water, land, or air. This applies whether or not the person actually operates the vessel, vehicle, or aircraft that provides the transportation between a port or place and a port or place in the U.S.”

To my read, it seems the ATF does not consider them to be so.

Cheap plastic case, it will have its own box

ULINE.com

Phil

Uline is expensive, but those are the boxes I use. I cut them down to fit whatever rifle I'm shipping after wrapping it in bubble wrap or foam or whatever I happen to have on hand. Never lost one. I usually use UPS insured - print a label online and drop it off at the terminal.

this . u-line

Very nice! Thank you both for educating me on the matter. That’ll save some novice postal employees some consternation!

I use an 8" x 8" box by however long you need it, wrap the rifle or shotgun in bubble wrap, then roll it/pieces up in a cheap moving blanket from Uhaul ($3ish), fold the ends and slide in the box. The two pieces(shotgun) or rifle is well protected, makes no discernable noise if dropped, doesn't readily puncture the outer box and is hard to determine what is inside the box. I use 3M banding tape, with the filament, wrap the circumference across the shorter sides after closing each end properly and then make several circumference wraps evenly across the longer side. It's actually very sturdy, almost impossible to destroy and usually runs about $25 shipped and insured thru the post office.

I have sent several rifles this way and a couple of shotguns and the receiving FFL reported that everything arrived intact and undamaged, a couple were actually impressed with the system.

I came up with it after I returned a rifle and tried to make it as sturdy and impossible to damage and yet the goons at the post office were able to make it happen.

I do what several here do. I go to Wal Mart and buy a brand new hard case. I remove and bubble wrap the bolt. I place both into the hard case. Then I zip tie each of the four padlock holes. The buyer appreciates the new case. I also insure every shipment. So the insurance and the hard case give me peace of mind. Contrary to what most people think, it is the obligation of the buyer to get it to the shipper. You ship and you don't insure and the rifle is lost or stolen, you need to refund the buyer's money. The exception to that would be if you are one of those who advertises as part of your sale, "insurance is on the buyer/at the buyer's discretion". If that's your world, have at it. Everybody just be clear up front.

No, it doesn't depend on that, it rides on reading comprehension. Read it again and again.

"A nonlicensee may not transfer a firearm to a non-licensed resident of another State. A nonlicensee may mail a shotgun or rifle to a resident of his or her own State or to a licensee in any State. The Postal Service recommends that long guns be sent by registered mail and that no marking of any kind which would indicate the nature of the contents be placed on the outside of any parcel containing firearms. Handguns are not mailable. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun."

The underlined language tells you USPS is not a common or contract carrier, and thus is not subject to common/contract carrier rules.

Yes.

And to JT/girlhunter’s point ...


“18 USC Section 923 paragraph (e)
(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, ...”

'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....'


Meaning: If you AREN'T sending your sheit to licensed importers, manufacturers, dealers or collectors, then you have to notify the common contract carrier.

Since everyone is pretty much shipping to an FFL, you ain't gotta tell the common contract carrier.


People really need a reading comprehension class.

I usually save up carmel delight girl scout cookie boxes. I cut the ends out, tape them all together and slide the gun in. When the postmaster asks what this is I say, well duh! and walk out. Works every time.

I have never had a USPS person ask what I was shipping.

Bruce

Same here. That's because it is a violation of personal privacy, which the government is not allowed to do. Some may ask, but they are violating the law if they do, so knowledgeable USPS employees don't.

USPS asking if it the contents are safe to ship is allowed, but they can't ask what the contents specifically are. Common/contract carriers are allowed to ask about specific contents because they a private entity not bound by the same regulations as USPS.

I don't have a gun shop in town. Only a Pawn shop. I wouldn't do business with him if I were dying. I thought the most available box to me is a gun case still in its box from Walmart. I will see if a packing blanket or similar can be wrapped around the barreled action. It sounds like it will work. Thanks for all the data here. Be Well, Rustyzipper.