How to ship a rifle???

4399 Views 17 Replies 15 Participants Last post by adrbe, Jan 13, 2012

sdunshee

Discussion Starter · Jan 12, 2012

Hello all,

Im going to be sending my Polytech off to an armorer this week maybe next for a bolt/barrel swap as well as some accurizing services. Now, whats the best way to go about shipping this? I know I need to be discrete with the box its in but do I drop it off to the UPS store and just say I need to ship this to so and that lives in somewhere? Or do I inform them the package contains a rifle? Dont want any problems with the transaction. Im all ears.

Thanks,
Scott

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

dcobra823

· #2 · Jan 12, 2012

Ive shipped several firearms in the past. Find out from your gunsmith if he needs the barreled action or the complete rifle. I would bubble wrap it well and ship in a box well suited ups insured signature required! UPS is a secure way to ship most firearms are shipped via UPSor FEDEX.
Good luck

Chris

Mindfield

· #3 · Jan 12, 2012

Prepare to have various UPS stores refuse to ship your rifle, you may have to go to a hub to get it done, print out there rules regarding shipping firearms because they may fight shipping it

hammonje

· #4 · Jan 12, 2012

Don't tell them it's a firearm. When shipping firearms I use UPS and tell them the package contains car parts. Rifles can only be dropped off at the main hub or to a UPS driver. I drop mine off at UPS stores all the time....just don't tell them what it is. Otherwise, drive yourself to the main hub.

Even then some employees don't know what they are doing and over-react to the mention of a firearm. I've shipped a hundred or more this way.

ShootingSight

· #5 · Jan 12, 2012

USPS will ship a rifle, and might be cheaper than UPS.

That said, go to the UPS site and do a search for 'firearms' the first result returned is:
http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/re...s/firearms.html?srch_pos=1&srch_phr=firearms

I've edited out parts that might not pertain to you...

Shipping Firearms

Use These UPS Services for Your Firearm Shipment
UPS accepts packages containing firearms for transportation from and between ... persons not otherwise prohibited from shipping firearms by federal, state or local law, and when such shipment complies with all federal, state and local laws applicable to the shipper, recipient, and package.

UPS accepts firearm parts for shipment, provided the part is not a "firearm" as defined under federal law. (Note: Receivers ...are considered "firearms" .)

Follow These Packing Requirements
All firearms are to be shipped in new corrugated packaging which meets the UPS Single Wall Box Strength Guidelines. Medium and large UPS boxes may be used for smaller shipments being shipped via UPS Express service.
All firearms are to be packaged in accordance with UPS Packaging Guideline Specifications.

About Documentation and Labeling
The shipper must use Delivery Confirmation Adult Signature Required service for each package containing a firearm, including a handgun, and affix a UPS label requesting an adult signature upon delivery.
The labeling and outer box markings on all firearms shipments should not identify the contents as containing a firearm. Labeling, including the shipper's and consignee's abbreviated names on the shipping label or air shipping document, must be non-descriptive.

Getting Your Firearm Shipment to UPS
Firearms (including handguns) may be shipped only through a UPS Scheduled Pickup Account (specifically, Daily Pickup, Daily On-Route Pickup, UPS Smart Pickup®, and Day-Specific Pickup), or through a UPS Customer Center (counters at UPS operational facilities). Note: Firearms (including handguns) are not accepted for shipment via, UPS Drop Boxes, UPS On-Call PickupSM, or at locations of The UPS Store® or any third party retailer.

See the terms and conditions in the UPS Tariff/Terms and Conditions of Service for information regarding firearm shipments.

===============
If you decide to ship USPS, I recommend you go to their web site and do a similar search.

See less See more

m1jerm

· #6 · Jan 12, 2012

Actually, I assumed modern firearms would have to go through an FFL (CMP rifles excluded) for shipping, but then, I guess Springfields are often shipped back directly to SAI.
I have never tried it with UPS, but I have had black powder revolvers shipped to me through them, so they can do it.
CMP uses FedEx I think, so there may be a way to do it through FedEx itself unless CMP just has special terms.

ct kid

· #7 · Jan 12, 2012 (Edited)

Go to UPS and tell them its a firearm going out for repair. Pack it well and tell them the truth. Sending a gun out for repair is legal and will be shipped back to your home. You will want to sign for it. I have always brought mine to the hub in my area. Insure it also. Good luck..

Oxmix

· #8 · Jan 12, 2012

My personal experience when using UPS to ship a firearm is to not completely wrap the package. UPS has always wanted to inspect the firearm before shipping. I've never had a problem with loss or damage to any firearm I have shipped.

Regards

Ox

TheTinMan

· #9 · Jan 12, 2012

My one shipping experience with UPS involved a pistol and they insisted that it had to be shipped overnight - EXPENSIVE. I do not know if that applies to long guns though.

I came across a few posts that suggested the USPS would accept long guns. I know that they do NOT accept handguns.

Lucky for me, I've become friendly with an FFL who volunteered to mail firearms for me. Of course he will insist on complying with all Federal laws and regulations.

sdunshee

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jan 12, 2012

Thanks guys, now I just gotta find a box. Had it in the box my savage 10 FLPK came in but soon realized it had savage all over it....thats not very discrete and is a prime target to get "lost".

tmcfalls

· #11 · Jan 12, 2012

TheTinMan said:
My one shipping experience with UPS involved a pistol and they insisted that it had to be shipped overnight - EXPENSIVE. I do not know if that applies to long guns though.

I came across a few posts that suggested the USPS would accept long guns. I know that they do NOT accept handguns.

Lucky for me, I've become friendly with an FFL who volunteered to mail firearms for me. Of course he will insist on complying with all Federal laws and regulations.

If I am not mistaken the overnight shipment of pistols has to do with Federal gun laws or regulations.

rscalzo

· #12 · Jan 12, 2012

UPS has always wanted to inspect the firearm before shipping.

They never did that all the times I shipped rifles through them.

I save the boxes used to ship CMP rifles. They seem to stand up to anything.

Oxmix

· #13 · Jan 12, 2012

UPS has several shipping options on long guns.

Regards

Ox

Dirtyharry

· #14 · Jan 12, 2012

I ship UPS & it's easy because my FFL Dealer is a UPS truck driver & wife runs the shop full time. I package well & insure it. Tracking comes with the price!

If you go USPS tell them it's expensive "golf clubs".

Never have gone thru Fed EX

dcobra823

· #15 · Jan 12, 2012

http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/ship/packaging/guidelines/firearms.html

82nd ABN

· #16 · Jan 12, 2012

Just boxed one up and getting ready to go to ups hub. In my area the ups stores look at you funny and politely say sorry. Place it in a case place the case in a cardboard box. Tell them at the hub it's a firearm and they will place it in a locked cage until it starts moving. At least that's what they do in melville. Insure it for what you think it's worth and your done. Make sure the box is not falling apart. I shipped two rifle twice across the entire country with no problems, let's hope this is just as smooth.

dprice3844444

· #17 · Jan 12, 2012

http://about.usps.com/forms/ps1508.pdf do in duplicate for shipping from usps.

adrbe

· #18 · Jan 13, 2012

TheTinMan said:
I came across a few posts that suggested the USPS would accept long guns. I know that they do NOT accept handguns.

FWIW, I have shipped long guns through USPS before. Packed in a case, inside a box, as 82nd described. I told them it was a rifle, and no inspection was necessary.

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

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