Shipping long guns

[Vmax97]

What is the best way to ship long guns? UPS or FedEx?

Anyone have a summary of the rules?

 

[tmwinds]

UPS and FedEx would be the best source for their rules.

 

[boltfluter]

For the general public the Post Office is your best bet. Last I heard.

 

[chuckshooter]

I used shipmygun.com only once and it was $19.95 and it was easy. I just printed the label and dropped off at ups hub. It was a 36" Marlin goose gun. So the box was very long. opps it was shipmygun.com

 

[Daddycaddie67]

For me I use UPS but schedule a pick up from my house, it’s a little more expensive that way but my local hub won’t take anything fire arm related. Also I use one of those cheap Plano type gn cases from Amazon, does the job well enough and comes in a cardboard box that I use to ship the rifle/case in.
Last thing, don’t mark the box with anything “firearm” related, E

 

[LuvDog]

Unless you have an account with UPS or Fedex and have your FFL on file with them, then they won't ship any guns, parts or even accessories according to their latest rules.

UPS has an exception for scopes, but that's about it.

I suggest either USPS or shipmygun.com

And honestly, shipmygun is the cheapest I found.

From the UPS Site:
“Firearm” will have the same definition as set forth in Title 18, Chapter 44, and Title 26, Chapter 53, of the United States Code.

“Firearm Part” is any part or component of a Firearm that does not by itself meet the definition of a “Firearm.” By way of example only, Firearm Parts include, but are not limited to, barrels, stocks, grips, firing pins, sights, and magazines/clips.

“Firearm Products” means Firearms and Firearm Parts. The term Firearm Product does not include scopes.

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 the approved UPS agreement for the transportation of Firearm Products.

To transport packages containing Firearm Products, the Shipper must enter into an approved UPS agreement for the transportation of Firearm Products

From Fedex:
The FedEx Service Guide prohibits firearm shipments. However, customers holding a Federal Firearms License (FFL) may work with their FedEx account executive to obtain approval to ship firearms with FedEx. This will require customers holding an FFL to execute a FedEx Firearms Shipping Compliance Agreement. For more information, contact your FedEx account executive.

 

[Kittitas George]

I use USPS, I go to the small town P.O. eight miles away. The staff is very nice, efficient and helpful. They know the rules, ask a couple required questions, done deal. No problems in quite a number of years. Guns and UPS or FedEx just doesn't work for me. FedEx has lost too many items and too much 'turn over' in delivery drivers. "If it is not a good place to work, it is not a good place to shop".

 

[dthomas]

I thought it was a felony to enter a post office with a firearm.

 

[jepp2]

I thought it was a felony to enter a post office with a firearm.

Correct, and that limitation applies to the parking lot as well. I just schedule them to pick up the firearm from my house when they make the mail delivery.

 

[chuckshooter]

Unless you have an account with UPS or Fedex and have your FFL on file with them, then they won't ship any guns, parts or even accessories according to their latest rules.

UPS has an exception for scopes, but that's about it.

I suggest either USPS or shipmygun.com

And honestly, shipmygun is the cheapest I found.

From the UPS Site:
“Firearm” will have the same definition as set forth in Title 18, Chapter 44, and Title 26, Chapter 53, of the United States Code.

“Firearm Part” is any part or component of a Firearm that does not by itself meet the definition of a “Firearm.” By way of example only, Firearm Parts include, but are not limited to, barrels, stocks, grips, firing pins, sights, and magazines/clips.

“Firearm Products” means Firearms and Firearm Parts. The term Firearm Product does not include scopes.

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 the approved UPS agreement for the transportation of Firearm Products.

To transport packages containing Firearm Products, the Shipper must enter into an approved UPS agreement for the transportation of Firearm Products

From Fedex:
The FedEx Service Guide prohibits firearm shipments. However, customers holding a Federal Firearms License (FFL) may work with their FedEx account executive to obtain approval to ship firearms with FedEx. This will require customers holding an FFL to execute a FedEx Firearms Shipping Compliance Agreement. For more information, contact your FedEx account executive.

when I did shipmygun.com, I was very skeptical but, when you get your mailing label from them, you also get a letter from some upper level ups guy to show the counter guy authorizing this kind of shipment. I was lucky and did not have to show them anything. But I live in a more conservative area of Komifornia.

since we are on this topic of shipping, I would like to say something to the folks who refuse to ship guns to California. There are roughly 40 million people in this state, yes about 25 million are liberal pukes, that leaves 15 million conservatives that you won't sell a firearm to. 1st. of all, I have chosen to stay here and fight and you won't help me by selling me a firearm because you are trying to make a political statement. I am the one behind enemy lines. and 2nd, that's a lot of potential buyers to remove from possible sales. it's not helping to say, "no sales to Ca". you are just helping the liberals.

 

[cmysix]

sghipmygun.com is the best way to ship any firearm

 

[tmwinds]

when I did shipmygun.com, I was very skeptical but, when you get your mailing label from them, you also get a letter from some upper level ups guy to show the counter guy authorizing this kind of shipment. I was lucky and did not have to show them anything. But I live in a more conservative area of Komifornia.

since we are on this topic of shipping, I would like to say something to the folks who refuse to ship guns to California. There are roughly 40 million people in this state, yes about 25 million are liberal pukes, that leaves 15 million conservatives that you won't sell a firearm to. 1st. of all, I have chosen to stay here and fight and you won't help me by selling me a firearm because you are trying to make a political statement. I am the one behind enemy lines. and 2nd, that's a lot of potential buyers to remove from possible sales. it's not helping to say, "no sales to Ca". you are just helping the liberals.

I don’t understand the problem with selling to a California resident. I sold a rifle to one a couple of years ago. From my end it was no different than shipping to any other state. I got a copy of the FFL and shipped it. I think that the receiving party may have to jump through a few hoops before they take possession.

 

[chuckshooter]

I don’t understand the problem with selling to a California resident. I sold a rifle to one a couple of years ago. From my end it was no different than shipping to any other state. I got a copy of the FFL and shipped it. I think that the receiving party may have to jump through a few hoops before they take possession.

if the firearm is being shipped ffl to ffl there is a doj authorization letter required. It takes 5 minutes on the computer.. private party to ca ffl no doj requirement. simple as that

 

[RabbitSlayer]

I have used usps several times and never had a problem. I just boxed up the barreled action and sent it off.

I shipped complete guns twice with UPS but sounds like their rules have changed.

I have also shipped guns under warranty to ruger, winchester, and CZ. I think all were fed ex prepaid label. Just dropped ot off at the nearest store.

 

[snert]

Id use shipmygun but they limit the weight to 15 pounds on a long gun. My gun alone weighs that...

 

[jxb]

USPS if you don't have a shipping label from the other end FFL.
Unless it's changed again UPS and FedEx will not allow non FFL holders to ship, however if the FFL you are shipping to will provide you a label you are allowed to drop it off using that label, by far the easiest. You slap it on a plain box and drop if off. Be sure to declare it's a firearm when you do, I toss in it's unloaded, no ammo, etc. Just the rifle.

Many manufacturers will provide the shipping label. Some do it for free, others charge a fee far less than you can ship it. Ruger and Savage come to mind.

If you have an issue with a post office refusing to ship a rifle or shotgun file a complaint with the OIG 'uspsoig.gov' and the ATF.

short version:

I had an issue with my local post office 1/17/2023 where they said I could not ship a rifle, only FFL holders could. Wrong thing to do... I filed complaints to both OIG and ATF and referenced both the USPS 432.3 and ATF rules (see links provided below). 1/18 I received a response from both OIG and the ATF. The same day or maybe next the local post office called me and asked me to please come back and they would be happy to do my shipment. I've shipped with them since, no issues.


If they ask for something indicating the receipient is a valid FFL, easier to simply print it off than argue. FFLscope.com and look up the FFL and their number, then go to the ATF site fflezcheck.atf.gov and verify it's still current, print a copy for the USPS folks. Done deal.

USPS:

432 Mailability | Postal Explorer

pe.usps.com

432.3 Rifles and Shotguns
d. Rifles and shotguns may be mailed by a non-FFL owner domestically to a FFL dealer, manufacturer, or importer in any state. These items must be mailed using a class of mail, product, or Extra Service that provides tracking and signature capture at delivery.

ATF:

May a nonlicensee ship a firearm through the U.S. Postal Service? | Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

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 their own state or to a licensee in any state. The U.S. Postal Service recommends that long guns be sent by registered mail and that no marking of any...

www.atf.gov

 

[jxb]

ShipMyGun.com is a division of BudsGunShop.com.

If I have to pay the shipping I'm definitely going to use this. Thanks to everyone that pointed it out above.

 

[danny]

USPS if you don't have a shipping label from the other end FFL.
Unless it's changed again UPS and FedEx will not allow non FFL holders to ship, however if the FFL you are shipping to will provide you a label you are allowed to drop it off using that label, by far the easiest. You slap it on a plain box and drop if off. Be sure to declare it's a firearm when you do, I toss in it's unloaded, no ammo, etc. Just the rifle.

Many manufacturers will provide the shipping label. Some do it for free, others charge a fee far less than you can ship it. Ruger and Savage come to mind.

If you have an issue with a post office refusing to ship a rifle or shotgun file a complaint with the OIG 'uspsoig.gov' and the ATF.

short version:

I had an issue with my local post office 1/17/2023 where they said I could not ship a rifle, only FFL holders could. Wrong thing to do... I filed complaints to both OIG and ATF and referenced both the USPS 432.3 and ATF rules (see links provided below). 1/18 I received a response from both OIG and the ATF. The same day or maybe next the local post office called me and asked me to please come back and they would be happy to do my shipment. I've shipped with them since, no issues.


If they ask for something indicating the receipient is a valid FFL, easier to simply print it off than argue. FFLscope.com and look up the FFL and their number, then go to the ATF site fflezcheck.atf.gov and verify it's still current, print a copy for the USPS folks. Done deal.

USPS:

432 Mailability | Postal Explorer

pe.usps.com

432.3 Rifles and Shotguns
d. Rifles and shotguns may be mailed by a non-FFL owner domestically to a FFL dealer, manufacturer, or importer in any state. These items must be mailed using a class of mail, product, or Extra Service that provides tracking and signature capture at delivery.

ATF:

May a nonlicensee ship a firearm through the U.S. Postal Service? | Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

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 their own state or to a licensee in any state. The U.S. Postal Service recommends that long guns be sent by registered mail and that no marking of any...

www.atf.gov

But....didn't you see the postings telling you that it was a felony to enter a USPS facility with a firearm?????? ROFL

Thanks for the great info, but one question. What is "OIG"?

Danny

 

[jxb]

But....didn't you see the postings telling you that it was a felony to enter a USPS facility with a firearm?????? ROFL

Thanks for the great info, but one question. What is "OIG"?

Danny

Yeah first time I asked before taking it in because I didn't know all the rules and process, the FFL just said mail it through USPS in a plain box no markings (Brownells boxes work great, come in a 5 pack)

OIG

Home | Office of Inspector General OIG

uspsoig.gov

I think same as the USPS cops? anyhow it's who you go to with a USPS issue.

 

[coldboreshot]

USPS? Ha! Can't even deliver a box of bullets successfully.