I ship mine myself, pretty simple really. I was a little freaked out the first time but followed the rules and have since figured out it's not that bad. Previous poster mentioned it but some state laws do affect this process greatly. Assuming you live in a free state, and are shipping to a free state, the following applies. Otherwise there may be additional requirements/restrictions etc.
For those using USPS, I thought you had to use priority express to use USPS? Makes it a lot more costly if that's true, but I've never tried.
Anyways, I always use UPS, and I create my own labels (for everything, not just firearms) through a third party as it saves a lot of money since they get great rates. As long as you follow the UPS rules, it's super simple and not crazy expensive. Last rifle I shipped was about 9lbs (plus 3lbs of packaging), 4 feet long, sent it 3 day select for about $38 which included $700 worth of insurance, and adult signature (a requirement for firearms that adds about $7 to the cost of shipping). UPS ground would have been about $10 less. Unless it's a handgun you don't have to notify them, just drop it off and go. Handguns also require overnight, which is unfortunate, but at least it's a smaller lighter box.
Here are the UPS rules, note, you must use scheduled pickup or take to UPS customer center, no using drop boxes etc:
Often FFLs have their own rules so you'll want to call them to get their requirements. Some for example refuse to accept shipments from non-FFLs, so that's a deal breaker. Some want you to put a copy of your driver's license in the package, etc. I would call them and ask about special requirements before you ship it to them. That will also give them a heads up that a firearm is incoming for whoever the person you're selling it to is.
Also ask them for their first 3 and last 5 digits of their FFL number. Then you can verify they are a legit and active FFL here:
I did have one tell me once he wouldn't give me any part of his FFL number since I wasn't an FFL, but I verified he was still okay with me shipping it to him. Weird since those numbers are publicly available, oh well, found it online pretty easily and verified he was legit, then away it went. Doing this verification is also a good way to make sure you have the address that you're shipping to correct, as sometimes your buyer might goof that up when they give it to you. I've had that happen to me once as well, thankfully I looked up the license, changed the address, no biggie.
If you don't have the FFL's license number, you can easily find it here:
For those using USPS, I thought you had to use priority express to use USPS? Makes it a lot more costly if that's true, but I've never tried.
Anyways, I always use UPS, and I create my own labels (for everything, not just firearms) through a third party as it saves a lot of money since they get great rates. As long as you follow the UPS rules, it's super simple and not crazy expensive. Last rifle I shipped was about 9lbs (plus 3lbs of packaging), 4 feet long, sent it 3 day select for about $38 which included $700 worth of insurance, and adult signature (a requirement for firearms that adds about $7 to the cost of shipping). UPS ground would have been about $10 less. Unless it's a handgun you don't have to notify them, just drop it off and go. Handguns also require overnight, which is unfortunate, but at least it's a smaller lighter box.
Here are the UPS rules, note, you must use scheduled pickup or take to UPS customer center, no using drop boxes etc:
How To Ship Firearms | UPS - United States
Information from UPS about how to ship firearms, which are considered a special-care shipment and require some extra steps before packing them up and shipping.
www.ups.com
Often FFLs have their own rules so you'll want to call them to get their requirements. Some for example refuse to accept shipments from non-FFLs, so that's a deal breaker. Some want you to put a copy of your driver's license in the package, etc. I would call them and ask about special requirements before you ship it to them. That will also give them a heads up that a firearm is incoming for whoever the person you're selling it to is.
Also ask them for their first 3 and last 5 digits of their FFL number. Then you can verify they are a legit and active FFL here:
I did have one tell me once he wouldn't give me any part of his FFL number since I wasn't an FFL, but I verified he was still okay with me shipping it to him. Weird since those numbers are publicly available, oh well, found it online pretty easily and verified he was legit, then away it went. Doing this verification is also a good way to make sure you have the address that you're shipping to correct, as sometimes your buyer might goof that up when they give it to you. I've had that happen to me once as well, thankfully I looked up the license, changed the address, no biggie.
If you don't have the FFL's license number, you can easily find it here:
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