FedEx shipping problem

[Big John]

I’m just back from trying to ship a rifle to S&W for warranty work. I packed the rifle in the original box (which has a fitted styrofoam interior) and put that in a plain over-pack box. Everything solidly taped up, the prepaid label from S&W completely covered in 3” clear tape. No mention of “firearm” anywhere on the box. I went to the FedEx store and told the Asst. Mgr. the package contained a firearm. He told me FedEx couldn’t ship it unless it was disassembled. Or I could take it to an ‘armory’ and have a FFL ship it. While he was trying to find the written policy I called S&W, the person I talked to wasn’t much help and left me with the impression I’d have to disassemble it. I read through the policy then asked the clerk to read through it and show me where it said the rifle had to be disassembled. After a while, reading comprehension isn’t a ‘thing’ in schools these days, he went to talk to the Manager. Another while later he came back and said Yes, they could ship the rifle since the prepaid label was printed by a licensed firearms dealer.

Not great, but better than another shipper that shattered the stock on a 700 BDL which left me very UPSet.

 

[RoninPA]

When shipping a firearm through any shipping company you DO NOT have to tell them it is a firearm - UNLESS their internal regulations force you to. If you have a shipping label generated from a firearm manufacturer or a FFL, just take the box to the shipping company counter and hand it to them and ask for a receipt. There is nothing written that I know of that says you have to say what is in the box you are shipping. I'm an FFL (since 1990) and I've gone round and round with shippers about this and have never lost. In fact, most shippers tell you to NOT put anything or allow anything on the box that would show it is a firearm. That said, there may be states out there that by state law you have to declare it and if so, you have to abide by state law. Also, it does not have to be disassembled unless state law says it does. However, by law, the firearm cannot be loaded when being shipped (well, DUH! - but it does happen).

 

[s4s4u]

I went to the FedEx store and told the Asst. Mgr. the package contained a firearm.

Why? Is this some kind of requirement? I would have simply requested carrier pick-up and handed the box to the driver.

 

[Big John]

Us civilians have to follow a different set of rules.
The instructions from S&W state "FedEx requires that you verbally inform the receiving FedEx employee that a package contains a firearm." In that color. The also say to make sure there's no hint that it's a firearm.

 

[Big John]

Why? Is this some kind of requirement? I would have simply requested carrier pick-up and handed the box to the driver.

FedEx policy.

 

[jimbo1096]

Yep, when I recently shipped a firearm back to Ruger, the Ruger customer service rep told me the same thing. Don’t put anything on the box but make sure you tell FedEx a box contains a firearm. When I handed it over the counter to the FedEx guy and said I’m required to tell you that the box contains a firearm, he just grinned and said “yep, I could tell”.

These are the instructions from Ruger:
Package the firearm in a plain box, (with no writing to identify that the package contains a firearm) or a UPS or Fed-Ex box as appropriate.
5. Attach the provided label to your package.
6. Drop the package at a staffed shipping location.
Please note, you must identify to the person to whom you are tendering the package that it contains a firearm. FedEx and UPS require that these packages be presented in person at a staffed shipping location

 

[Mobuck]

Last time I shipped (UPS) a barreled action (no bolt, no stock, no trigger), the box was clearly marked "LAWN MOWER PARTS" and no other questions were asked.
During the period when I was both a USPS Postmaster and FFL licensee, I shipped a LOT of firearms for individuals since my office was the only place in many miles that covered both bases. As for the wrapping and final packaging, USPS regulations used to require a physical inspection to ensure the firearm wasn't loaded. Tearing open a customer's carefully packed shipping container tends to make folks mad.

 

[tazbigdog]

Or have it shipped through your local gun store and Fedex.

 

[Sam Summey]

Private companies like PostNet and the UPS Store are privately owned they are all anti gun/2A. The only FedX place i can ship from is a FedX owned "depot" in a Wal-Mart in Arden NC. I understand UPS went "woke" when that was popular and won't ship handguns anymore. Being a FFL I can ship via USPS which is cheaper even if I get a free label from the manufacturer because it takes an hour for me to drive to Arden and back to Flat Rock. Recently, the Supreme Court recently ruled that unlicensed individuals can ship handguns through the USPS, unlicensed have always been able to ship their longarms through the USPS. BTW, last week in the FR PO I noticed that the "NO FIREARMS" sign was no longer displayed in the PO.

 

[peachhead]

Hmm
I rarely use FedEx or UPS but when I do, I don't tell them a dern thing.
The only official thing I have to tell anybody, is when I use the post office to mail a handgun. They have a form that has to be filled out.
Unless you're a big time contractor with UPS or FedEx their rates are just too high.

 

[hittman]

Seems like a mountain made out of a mole hill to me.
Clerk told you wrong thing.
Checked with manager.
Changed what he told you.
Shipped the gun.