Shipping fees

[Joey]

Does anyone know if laws/fees have changed on non-FFL shipping to an FFL? I am trying to get a main frame shipped from a non-FFL, and he is telling me it has to go overnight, cheapest rate he can get is $155.00. UPS is $200.00+. I have bought several handguns in the past from non-FFL's, as long as the FFL will accept them. If prices have gone up this much, or the laws have changed, what's next?

 

[hittman]

You need to hear from somebody like RoninPA

 

[s4s4u]

The cheapest way to ship a handgun is USPS Priority from an FFL to an FFL. If no FFL on the sender's end it has to go overnight via UPS/FedEx rules. Even if you have to pay the sender's FFL $20 to mail it USPS, it will be worth it. My guy doesn't charge anything to stick his license in the box.

 

[Joey]

That is what I advised the seller to do, seems kinda lost.

 

[JAYDAWG]

I just ship parts for plating, or repair

 

[Joey]

Apparently, a frame cannot be shipped as parts. It is considered a gun. Which makes no sense, I have never known a frame to be able to fire! I know, the serial #, but still....
I see what you are saying, I have shipped guns to Ruger for repair.

 

[JAYDAWG]

Ok.....MOTORCYCLE PARTS for plating or repair..............

 

[Joey]

Ok.....MOTORCYCLE PARTS for plating or repair..............

Sorry, man, my brain is detached!!

 

[contender]

The ATF definition of a firearm is the serialized frame,, no matter if it has any other parts attached to it.

A non-FFL can not ship a handgun via USPS due to the USPS regulations. It has to be a FFL who has a copy of their current license at their PO.
A private individual can ship a firearm to the manufacturer and have it returned to them UNLESS there is a state law mandating otherwise. (This depends upon your state where you live.)

I would say that the seller of this frame is in a position that thinks he can not ship a frame w/o it going through UPS or FedEx. And since a non-FFL can not ship a handgun via USPS, he's unable to use them.
His best course of action is to use a FFL that uses USPS to ship stuff. A frame would be able to be shipped via USPS Priority in a small flat rate box for about $11.70. Whatever his FFL charges to log it in & log it out may be a separate fee.

 

[Joey]

Thanks for the clarification Tyrone, I spoke to him via phone earlier, he had found several ffls in his area, gonna call some tomorrow. Then I have to pay an additional ffl fee of $45.00 when it gets here. But I want the frame pretty bad, and it's only money!!!

 

[JAYDAWG]

The ATF definition of a firearm is the serialized frame,, no matter if it has any other parts attached to it.

A non-FFL can not ship a handgun via USPS due to the USPS regulations. It has to be a FFL who has a copy of their current license at their PO.
A private individual can ship a firearm to the manufacturer and have it returned to them UNLESS there is a state law mandating otherwise. (This depends upon your state where you live.)

I would say that the seller of this frame is in a position that thinks he can not ship a frame w/o it going through UPS or FedEx. And since a non-FFL can not ship a handgun via USPS, he's unable to use them.
His best course of action is to use a FFL that uses USPS to ship stuff. A frame would be able to be shipped via USPS Priority in a small flat rate box for about $11.70. Whatever his FFL charges to log it in & log it out may be a separate fee.

Unless you are shipping motorcycle parts...........

 

[Bad Barlow]

Does anyone know if laws/fees have changed on non-FFL shipping to an FFL? I am trying to get a main frame shipped from a non-FFL, and he is telling me it has to go overnight, cheapest rate he can get is $155.00. UPS is $200.00+. I have bought several handguns in the past from non-FFL's, as long as the FFL will accept them. If prices have gone up this much, or the laws have changed, what's next?

Check out a service called"Ship My Gun". I won't go into a description here, but I have used them with complete satisfaction.

 

[s4s4u]

FYI

https://www.gunowners.org/goa-and-g...law-prohibiting-mailing-of-handguns-via-usps/

 

[contender]

The lawsuit mentioned would provide a lot of relief for so many. But it won't help in this immediate issue.

And if you were to ship motorcycle parts,, and they discovered a firearm, (or frame,) you could be charged with a felony. Not worth it in my opinion.

 

[Joey]

The lawsuit mentioned would provide a lot of relief for so many. But it won't help in this immediate issue.

And if you were to ship motorcycle parts,, and they discovered a firearm, (or frame,) you could be charged with a felony. Not worth it in my opinion.

His thoughts exactly. I am confident he will work something out with a local. Just glad he called before he refunded.

 

[blume357]

I think unfortunately the way to go is for you/him to pay an FFL on his end of the line to ship it USPS Priority. Yes, it's all a rigged game and neither Fedex or UPS really want to ship firearms anymore... seems from what I heard, they both over the years have had problems with the package 'falling out the back of the truck.' And as with any corporate solution their fix is to make it more difficult for the consumer not to actually fix the problem of employee theft.

 

[Mobuck]

It doesn't cost much more (if any more) to ship a handgun frame 'Registered Mail'. Registered mail is signed for at each transfer so far less likely to 'fall out of the back of the truck'.
As a Postmaster with an FFL. I wrote a 3-4 page 'tutorial' for Gateway (St Louis) District Postal employees on the 'how to' of shipping firearms. I doubt the USPS 'big book of knowledge' has changed significantly.

 

[RoninPA]

I don't need to say much as most of the answers given are correct.

Best advice for a handgun "frame" (the serialized part) is to use a local FFL to ship it USPS Priority Mail with insurance (or Registered Mail as Mobuck stated). I've been shipping this way (Priority Mail) for over 25 years and have never had anything go missing or stolen. As a Priority Mail package, it is suppose to be handled differently than a regular package (but I know that doesn't always happens from some of the horror scenarios I read here on the forum)

As for the serialized part being the firearm, remember that it is not always the frame with the grip portion. Ruger Mark Series pistols, the serialized part is the receiver (or the barrel/receiver together) not the frame and the internals.

 

[gnappi]

The lawsuit mentioned would provide a lot of relief for so many. But it won't help in this immediate issue.

And if you were to ship motorcycle parts,, and they discovered a firearm, (or frame,) you could be charged with a felony. Not worth it in my opinion.

I think people messing with their freedom is foolish for what? Twenty five to fifty bucks shipping fees? A bit of inconvenience? It makes no sense to me how anyone can rationalize it since losing the right to own a handgun AND your freedom should be more of a consideration than money or a bit of time?

 

[GasGuzzler]

I showed my wife a stripped AR15 lower I was preparing to ship within the State and told her I was shipping a rifle according to the law. She laughed then got sad.

 

[GD1656]

What about a 22 rifle from state to state? Can a non ffl send it to a ffl ?

 

[Yaworski]

What about a 22 rifle from state to state? Can a non ffl send it to a ffl ?

Yes and a non-licensee can use USPS to ship a long gun.

 

[Yaworski]

It's a bloody shame what has gone on with the shipping companies and shipping of guns in general. Add in tons of confusion over what is and isn't permissible.

I'd never recommend calling a gun "machine parts" on the manifest. If something happens like either the package is lost or breaks open, you could be in for an interesting legal experience.

Make friends with an FFL who'll only charge $20 plus postage to ship your gun. It's been a decade since I had to worry about such things but I believe that if it is logged into his books for repair, there's no need to execute another 4473/NICS check when it comes back.

 

[RoninPA]

Make friends with an FFL who'll only charge $20 plus postage to ship your gun. It's been a decade since I had to worry about such things but I believe that if it is logged into his books for repair, there's no need to execute another 4473/NICS check when it comes back.

I charge $25 plus postage/insurance to ship firearms for customers. My policy is all firearm shipments require insurance to cover the cost of replacement in case something drastic were to happen. I also save specific size boxes when I receive shipments so I have various sizes on hand if someone needs me to do all the packing. Boy, will I gain some storage space in the basement when I decide to shut down the business

That is correct, if the FFL logs it into his books as a repair, when it arrives back no 4473 or NICS (PICS here in PA) is required to give it back to the owner.

 

[Joey]

I spoke to the seller yesterday, he found a FFL! I should have the frame early next week, as it will be Wed or Thurs before it ships.