Question Re Shipping to FFLs

[Fletcher]

They won’t take it directly from me. But ship my gun has several local FFL’s here in Las Cruces listed. The only drawback is the minimum 15 pound. Other than that, I don’t see how it could go wrong.

I believe this is what would happen.

I would go to the FFL residency address.

He will log my rifle in, pack it up, and charge me whatever he charges to process the rifle through his shop.

I will be shipping a rifle in the next week or so. And I will update the post with my experience.

Tom

 

[LuvDog]

If you use shipmygun then you don’t use your local FFL. shipmygun will send you a prepaid label on their UPS account that is associated with their FFL.

Then you just need to get your packaged and labeled box in to the hands of UPS.

 

[Walt Krafft]

A question that might open a can of worms, how does anyone know you are shipping a gun if you dont tell them. I have never been asked, unless I tried to insure the package. Shipping insurance is a scam in my opinion. Pack it right, use computer printed labels not some kind of chicken scratch.

 

[Kyle Schultz]

I just used ShipMyGun.com (SMG) to ship a rifle (no barrel) from Texas to Ohio. Pretty slick setup. There is a weight limit of 15# and a limit on the H x W x L of the box.

UPS Stores will accept firearms from non-FFLs as long as you do the boxing and use a preprinted shipping label. SMG will e-mail the label to you after you make payment and they verify all the info.

UPS Stores accepting firearms is a fairly recent change. I’m guessing it’s due to UPS closing so many Customer Service Counters. SMG provides the name and phone number for a UPS Account Mgr who you can call on the spot if the store personal resist accepting the package.

Finally, the SMG process is a phenomenal value. The cost to ship my 13# package with $2k of insurance from Texas to Ohio was $38.

 

[danny]

A question that might open a can of worms, how does anyone know you are shipping a gun if you dont tell them. I have never been asked, unless I tried to insure the package. Shipping insurance is a scam in my opinion. Pack it right, use computer printed labels not some kind of chicken scratch.

I have wondered that, as I am unaware of any kind of form that could possibly be filed by either the carrier or shipper, and I don't really want to find out what happens from not notifying. Truthfully, I don't think that there is any way for them to know unless some kind of packaging mishap happens and the original employee sees a firearm, then remembers it was not declared and says "that guy never declared it". At that point, as there is no declaration form that I know of to fall hack on, so, it might be his word against yours, but I am not a lawyer. I consider that an interesting and valid question. I suspect nothing would or could be done, but again, I am not a lawyer and I don't really want to test this.

Danny

 

[Jdne5b]

We had this discussion on another forum. I had an interesting conversation with the manager of a UPS store regarding shipping a barreled action or rifle. He stated that UPS does ship rifles but the UPS store itself doesn't, due to their policy. However the UPS store policy will allow it if the UPS store doesn't do the packing or labeling of the box. He said that if I boxed the item and generated a label via Pirate Ship they would accept and ship the package. Don't shoot the messenger [me] but that is the exact details of the conversation. He added that UPS does ship to licensed gun shops, and FFL holders.

FTR the barreled action I recently shipped made it to the FFL's destination w/o issue. I also had a copy of the gunsmith's FFL in the event of a problem. The cost with $1K insurance to ship a barreled action and new barrel to be chambered and installed ran about $38 from L.I. to Idaho. I shipped it using the gunsmith's name.

Pirate Ship nor their 3rd party insurance will not honor the insurance for a firearm if something happens.

UPS®: Prohibited Items | Pirate Ship Support

Here are some items that UPS won't allow you to ship, no matter what

support.pirateship.com

 

[danny]

UPS Stores will accept firearms from non-FFLs as long as you do the boxing and use a preprinted shipping label. SMG will e-mail the label to you after you make payment and they verify all the info.

UPS Stores accepting firearms is a fairly recent change. I’m guessing it’s due to UPS closing so many Customer Service Counters. SMG provides the name and phone number for a UPS Account Mgr who you can call on the spot if the store personal resist accepting the package.

I would like to see that in written documentation from the UPS Store administration. I have to say that I am skeptical based on known long time policy that the UPS Stores (which is not UPS) would not accept ANY firearms shipments from non-FFLs, and for that matter, probably FFLs as well. I also would like to see that documentation refer to a true non-licensee to FFL shipment, not something that uses some Ship My Gun hijinks. While I am skeptical, I would be happy to see someone prove that my skeptical thoughts are now not warranted.

Danny

 

[danny]

Pirate Ship nor their 3rd party insurance will not honor the insurance for a firearm if something happens.

UPS®: Prohibited Items | Pirate Ship Support

Here are some items that UPS won't allow you to ship, no matter what

support.pirateship.com

That document is incorrect/out of date, as it says that UPS will accept firearms shipments. That is no longer true, at least for non-licensees, and that includes firearms parts.

Danny

 

[demarpaint1]

Pirate Ship nor their 3rd party insurance will not honor the insurance for a firearm if something happens.

UPS®: Prohibited Items | Pirate Ship Support

Here are some items that UPS won't allow you to ship, no matter what

support.pirateship.com

Thanks for the info, I'll have a talk with the manager for giving bad info. It looks like having the smith/FFL generate shipping label and use that would be my best bet going forward.

 

[danny]

Thanks for the info, I'll have a talk with the manager for giving bad info. It looks like having the smith/FFL generate shipping label and use that would be my best bet going forward.

Here is what UPS now says about non-licensees shipping firearms and "firearms products".

Danny

"UPS accepts packages containing Firearm Products for shipment only as a contractual service and only from Shippers who are licensed importers, licensed manufacturers, licensed dealers, or licensed collectors (as defined in Title 18, Chapter 44 of the United States Code) to authorized recipients, as outlined in an approved UPS agreement for the transportation of Firearm Products."

 

[centershot]

I just shipped two rifles via USPS.
The first one was held up due to "improper labeling" of the package. It was then opened up and "inspected". The inspection put a large gash in the cheek piece of the rifle. To do this, they had to remove it from the case it was in. Finally got there after a week delay.

The second rifle is just taking for ever to arrive and it will, hopefully, arrive today. Mailed it on the 8 of May. Today is the 19.

I have to make sure that my FFL know about this and see if he is registered with Ship my Gun.

 

[demarpaint1]

Here is what UPS now says about non-licensees shipping firearms and "firearms products".

Danny

"UPS accepts packages containing Firearm Products for shipment only as a contractual service and only from Shippers who are licensed importers, licensed manufacturers, licensed dealers, or licensed collectors (as defined in Title 18, Chapter 44 of the United States Code) to authorized recipients, as outlined in an approved UPS agreement for the transportation of Firearm Products."

Next go round I'll have the smith generate a shipping label.

 

[Liven The Dream]

Could you not schedule a 'pick up' by the brown truck?

Yes

 

[Liven The Dream]

This has worked for me in Oregone.

I get a copy of FFL it is going to.
I have a UPS Account, I print the Label at Home.
I box up the Rifle,Action etc. I but a copy of the FFL and my Photo ID in the Box.
I give it to the Driver of Big Brown ,or I have a location close with a UPS Pick up and leave it there.
To date No Problem ?
I have walked into a UPS Store Front and Put it on the Counter no problem. Ask them to print a label No Way.

 

[boltfluter]

Unless something has recently changed USPS will ship a rifle from an individual.

 

[danny]

Unless something has recently changed USPS will ship a rifle from an individual.

They will, UPS won't.

Danny

 

[danny]

Next go round I'll have the smith generate a shipping label.

Are you an FFL?
Danny

 

[Fletcher]

It’s changed in NM. If you don’t have an FFL, you cannot ship a gun. You have to go through another shipper like ship my gun.

Here’s SMG’s package restrictions….

 

[rlporter507]

when i took a rifle action to usps, you need a copy of the ffl your sending it to, they told me they keep that on file for 1 year. insured for 2K, no problem. long guns are ok, no pistols.

 

[Fletcher]

This problem must be regional. You can’t ship a gun via usps, fedex or ups in Las Cruces.


I’ve tried…