I need to ship a revolver to a gunsmith and will be sending it via UPS. Do I have to inform them that it is a firearm, or simply insure it for the replacement cost?
Question on shipping a revolver
- Thread starter Fox Mike
- Start date
loaded round
Hunter
If you're a private individual and take it to a local UPS store and tell them it's a firearm they will refuse to ship it and send you to a main UPS hub for shipment. You would then be required to ship it ''overnight air'' and be prepared to spend big bucks for shipment (around 60-80.00). You do have two choices however, a FFL dealer can ship thru UPS w/o a problem fairly inexpensively if you know a dealer who'd help you out; or, and it's a big ''or'', pack your revolver in a non firearm descript box, take it to your local UPS store and declare it as a precision tool, and ship it second day UPS for less than 20.00. It is not illegal as far as U.S. laws are concerned, but it would be a breach of contract with UPS and fraudulent as far as they're concerned. I'm just mentioning this not advocating doing it. However it's been done more than once!
powder smoke
Hawkeye
Ship it USPS No problems I've done it works fine. Perfectly legal to ship to a smith or licensed dealer.
As far as Insurance add 50% cause it is hard to collect full value of the insurance
Least wise that is what the clerk told me. ps
As far as Insurance add 50% cause it is hard to collect full value of the insurance
Least wise that is what the clerk told me. ps
loaded round
Hunter
Please make sure of your USPS statement. My local friendly USPS clerk told me flat out that USPS regulations will only allow an individual to ship a long gun thru the postal system and I've never attempted to verify his statement. I just don't want someone to run afoul of federal law and end up sharing a cell with Obammy.
quote="powder smoke"]Ship it USPS No problems I've done it works fine. Perfectly legal to ship to a smith or licensed dealer.
As far as Insurance add 50% cause it is hard to collect full value of the insurance
Least wise that is what the clerk told me. ps[/quote]
quote="powder smoke"]Ship it USPS No problems I've done it works fine. Perfectly legal to ship to a smith or licensed dealer.
As far as Insurance add 50% cause it is hard to collect full value of the insurance
Least wise that is what the clerk told me. ps[/quote]
don't confuse "United Parcel Service" , with the US Postal Service................. :?
I would NOT ship ANYTHING, "gunwise', now , during the holiday season...THINK about it........ 8) :roll: :wink:
I would NOT ship ANYTHING, "gunwise', now , during the holiday season...THINK about it........ 8) :roll: :wink:
Not shipping a gun during the holiday season is some good advice.
A private individual, non-FFL CANNOT ship a HANDGUN using the USPS (rifles and shotguns are allowed). A FFL, however, can. I do it all the time and in 17 years of doing it this way, I have NEVER had a gun lost or stolen.
A private individual, non-FFL CAN ship a handgun using UPS or FedEx, you have to follow their rules though and it's pretty expensive. You will also need a copy of the FFLs license to prove it is going to an FFL. ALSO - no matter who is shipping it, DO NOT ALLOW any type of markings that denote that there is a firearm inside the shipping container. If someone at the shipping center says it has to be so marked, stop them cold and request a SUPERVISOR/MANAGER. It is stated IN THEIR BOOKS that nothing should be on the package showing a firearm is inside.
Really, the easiest way is to take it to a FFL and have them ship it using USPS. Even with the FFL fee(s) it's cheaper than FedEx or UPS. Also tell the FFL how much you want it insured for. If you do it this way, make sure that you have enclosed a letter with the gun telling the FFL what you want done (even if you have already talked to him) and give him your home address. By federal law, the gunsmith, when the gun is completed, can send it directly back to you (however he wants, USPS, UPS, or FedEx).
I ship all year round and have not had any problems during any of the holidays. I use the Priority Mail flat rate packages and even during the holidays, it gets where it's going in 3-4 days.
Frank, you can PM me if you have any other questions I can help you with.
A private individual, non-FFL CAN ship a handgun using UPS or FedEx, you have to follow their rules though and it's pretty expensive. You will also need a copy of the FFLs license to prove it is going to an FFL. ALSO - no matter who is shipping it, DO NOT ALLOW any type of markings that denote that there is a firearm inside the shipping container. If someone at the shipping center says it has to be so marked, stop them cold and request a SUPERVISOR/MANAGER. It is stated IN THEIR BOOKS that nothing should be on the package showing a firearm is inside.
Really, the easiest way is to take it to a FFL and have them ship it using USPS. Even with the FFL fee(s) it's cheaper than FedEx or UPS. Also tell the FFL how much you want it insured for. If you do it this way, make sure that you have enclosed a letter with the gun telling the FFL what you want done (even if you have already talked to him) and give him your home address. By federal law, the gunsmith, when the gun is completed, can send it directly back to you (however he wants, USPS, UPS, or FedEx).
I ship all year round and have not had any problems during any of the holidays. I use the Priority Mail flat rate packages and even during the holidays, it gets where it's going in 3-4 days.
Frank, you can PM me if you have any other questions I can help you with.
I agree Ron, and we too having been a 3 time FFL holder, user, have since the 70's ,BUT again, I stress, this today , these days, there are far too many issues with delivery during the holidays , as well as shops , factories, that are closed, failure to have an "adult signature", sined, they drop off the box, leave the package and they are stolen everyday, all day, all across the country, all too often, just the "latest fad" ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
and when they SEE "gun" shop store or name, on the package, they KNOW what could be "inside"....
so NEVER spell it out, GUN in ANY way....trust me, we KNOW............. 8)
and when they SEE "gun" shop store or name, on the package, they KNOW what could be "inside"....
so NEVER spell it out, GUN in ANY way....trust me, we KNOW............. 8)
Dan,
I understand what you are saying about the holiday time. Typically when shipping a gun to another FFL I will talk to them (either phone or email) and send it to a persons name and not the shop name more often than not. I know all my PO people and trust them and the 1508 is annotated correctly with the receiving shop name. My UPS guy is real good too, I can work with him if I know I'm not going to be around to sign for packages.
You just can't be too cautious now a days in the gun business.
I understand what you are saying about the holiday time. Typically when shipping a gun to another FFL I will talk to them (either phone or email) and send it to a persons name and not the shop name more often than not. I know all my PO people and trust them and the 1508 is annotated correctly with the receiving shop name. My UPS guy is real good too, I can work with him if I know I'm not going to be around to sign for packages.
You just can't be too cautious now a days in the gun business.
OP
Thanks to all that have answered. I do believe that I will see my FFL holder tomorrow and see if she will send it for me.
pete44ru
Hunter
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FWIW, I always have my friendly FFL mail out my handguns in a USPS Flat Rate Box ($7 to $15 postage, depending upon size, to mail up to 70 lbs anywhere in the USA) - which I obtain (free until mailed) for his convenience/use.
.
FWIW, I always have my friendly FFL mail out my handguns in a USPS Flat Rate Box ($7 to $15 postage, depending upon size, to mail up to 70 lbs anywhere in the USA) - which I obtain (free until mailed) for his convenience/use.
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pete44ru said:
I always keep a stock of all the sizes on hand. I do a fair amount of business just doing shipping for gun owners (I don't charge an arm and a leg to ship, just enough to pay for my time). The folks at my P.O. tell me to take as many as I want
steelshooterco
Single-Sixer
Last time I tried to ship a revolver to a gunsmith via UPS at a hub, they wanted the gunsmiths FFL and a bunch of other pain.
Walked out and went over to FedEx and they were down right nice about it.
You should also check with your gun smith to see if they will do a FedEx shipping label, will be much cheaper, you box it up and can take it to ANY FedEx store.
UPS won't accept at their stores, because they are franchises and won't touch anything related to a gun. FedEx stores are corporate owned and happy to work with customers.
Walked out and went over to FedEx and they were down right nice about it.
You should also check with your gun smith to see if they will do a FedEx shipping label, will be much cheaper, you box it up and can take it to ANY FedEx store.
UPS won't accept at their stores, because they are franchises and won't touch anything related to a gun. FedEx stores are corporate owned and happy to work with customers.
BlackEye
Single-Sixer
rugerguy said:
Several posts around here of thieves following delivery trucks and helping themselves to contents left at a residence. Security cameras and videos captures some of the evidence but I haven't heard of anyone being arrested yet.
BlackEye said:
Saw that on the TV news here also a couple of days ago. Many times it is due to the laziness of the postal or delivery drivers. They don't want to wait to get the required signature or don't want to take it back to the PO or the delivery center so they just toss it on the porch, in the doorway, whatever. Myself, I haven't had any problems, I always send gun with adult signature required, whether USPS (Priority Mail) or UPS/FedEx and almost every gun package I have received has had to have my signature. Although I have received some guns, destined for me and sometimes customers, that were not shipped that way (typically from a non-FFL from Gunbroker or other auction sites). Luckily, none have been stolen.
contender
Ruger Guru
Frank,,, listen to Ron,,, he's a FFL & has been for quite a while, as has Dan,,, though Dan has retired. The USPS does allow them (FFL's) to use their services. The UPS & Fedex are private companies which instituted policies forcing us (consumers) to pay for expensive overnight services due to theft of firearms,,,, BY EMPLOYEES of their companies. I use a FFL all the time to ship any handguns that I need to ship out, AND I use the same FFL to receive any guns coming to me. First, he & I are good friends, plus, he uses the USPS. MUCH cheaper by far.
As for holiday shipping & thefts,,, I think it all depends. More urban places, or cities,,, where people live in close proximity to many others, followed by not knowing your neighbors, etc all leads others to ignore strangers who might steal packages off porches etc.
If you aren't sure of the environment, you can get the "adult signature required" as well as severe insurance. If you haven any fears or doubts, insure a handgun that is nominally worth $500 for about $2000-$3000. You can bet that a heavily insured package like that, with the requirement of a signature will get delivered.
I once had a friend who was flying to a USPSA match. He insured his $2000 race gun for $10,000 with the airline. They hand carried it in & when he arrived, they made him come & personally sign for the gun. He inspected it before he signed for it. All with airline supervision. He said he never worried about his gun getting lost like that. And, if it did, the insurance would cover his expenses for missing the match.
As for holiday shipping & thefts,,, I think it all depends. More urban places, or cities,,, where people live in close proximity to many others, followed by not knowing your neighbors, etc all leads others to ignore strangers who might steal packages off porches etc.
If you aren't sure of the environment, you can get the "adult signature required" as well as severe insurance. If you haven any fears or doubts, insure a handgun that is nominally worth $500 for about $2000-$3000. You can bet that a heavily insured package like that, with the requirement of a signature will get delivered.
I once had a friend who was flying to a USPSA match. He insured his $2000 race gun for $10,000 with the airline. They hand carried it in & when he arrived, they made him come & personally sign for the gun. He inspected it before he signed for it. All with airline supervision. He said he never worried about his gun getting lost like that. And, if it did, the insurance would cover his expenses for missing the match.
OP
Went to my friendly local FFL and asked her what she would charge me to ship from her location. She said that she would ship in a USPS box for about $10.00. As she said..."if it fits, it ships." The revolver is on the way to Clements shop.
Fox Mike said:
That's a very good price but in my experience pretty low. Insurance on a say $300 revolver is $5.50 and the cheapest Priority Mail flat rate shipping box is $5.95 so she would be losing money. I guess if you do a lot of business with her, then maybe it is worth it to her to do this for you.
Priority Mail Flat rate fee gets you $50 insurance, and signature required, that's it.
OP
I told her to "Do what you need to do to make sure it gets there OK." I trust her to do whatever is necessary. I am not on her 'speed dial' but am in her phone listings. Any old Bearcats that they get in I get first look.
OP
I told her to "Do what you need to do to make sure it gets there OK." I trust her to do whatever is necessary. I am not on her 'speed dial' but am in her phone listings. Any old Bearcats that they get in I get first look.
