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Shipping Hand guns

GunBuff
Hi,I'm not an FFL and need to ship a hand gun.
I realize i need to obtain a current FFL from the buyer.
What I need to know is which courier to use,cause it's not a good idea to mention the pacage contence.
Anyone know?
Thanks,Mike[?]
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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • MIKE WISKEY
    either fedex or ups, you have to have an ffl to use usps. It might be cheaper to ship through a ffl.
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  • nononsense
    GunBuff,

    The two that are usually suggested are:

    UPS and FedX for those folks who are not FFL holders.

    These two companies are rapacious in their pricing of this service so I also suggest that you look into using an FFL to ship the handgun for you. They can ship via the USPS (Post Office) at some savings even when they add their fee for handling.

    Best.
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  • iwannausername
    Fed say it must go common carrier (fed ex, ups) to a FFL holder. The common carriers say it must go next day over nights - you are looking at $60+ to ship. A FFL holder can ship via USPS, in a flat rate box for under $20. Go to post office, get a flat rate box, package it all up but don't seal it (FFL will need to record serial, etc in bound book), pre-pay the shipping on it, drop it and $20 off with a local FFL and have him/her ship it for you. Makes the FFL some cash, saves you some cash.
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  • dcs shooters
    I use a local FFL and a flat rate box. $10.70+insuracne for the box.
    My ffl charges $10 for paper work.
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  • Grasshopper
    quote:Originally posted by dcs shooters
    I use a local FFL and a flat rate box. $10.70+insuracne for the box.
    My ffl charges $10 for paper work.


    Mine to,,,so much cheaper and imo better handling than UPS or Fed Ex.
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  • 11b6r
    Also- you MUST declare the contents as a firearm to the shipper. This is Federal law. There can be nothing on the outside of the package that SAYS firearm. Last time I checked, UPS, Next Day Air, Adult Sign Reqd, is ABOUT $75. Find an 01 FFL (Dealer) or an 02 FFL (Pawnshop) and pay them to mail it for you. MUCH cheaper, even after paying him for his time.
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  • GunBuff
    quote:Originally posted by GunBuff
    Hi,I'm not an FFL and need to ship a hand gun.
    I realize i need to obtain a current FFL from the buyer.
    What I need to know is which courier to use,cause it's not a good idea to mention the pacage contence.
    Anyone know?
    Thanks,Mike[?]

    Wow, I just want to send it to an FFL,I,m Not a criminil,why do I need to pay another FFL?
    This sounds like our judicial system,(lawyers making money)
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  • nmyers
    You don't HAVE to do anything; the guys are just explaining your only 2 options.

    You CAN ship it on your own, as explained. Fedex & UPS are the only common carriers who ship firearms; no one else does. (One additional rule: you can only ship from a carrier's customer service counter, also called a hub, not from a UPS Store, not from Kinkos, not from Office Depot.) If you want to use these carriers, you must follow their rules, & you must obey Federal law.

    Or, you can ask an FFL to ship for you, in which case you have to pay him for his time. Personally, I think an FFL is crazy to ship a gun for only $10-20, unless, maybe, he's doing it for a good customer as a favor. He's got paperwork to do in his store, then he has to go down to the PO, stand in line, & fill out forms there; heck if I'd go to that trouble to make only $20. Dealers around my area charge $50, & I think that's fair.

    Neal
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  • Nwcid
    quote:Originally posted by GunBuff
    quote:Originally posted by GunBuff
    Hi,I'm not an FFL and need to ship a hand gun.
    I realize i need to obtain a current FFL from the buyer.
    What I need to know is which courier to use,cause it's not a good idea to mention the pacage contence.
    Anyone know?
    Thanks,Mike[?]

    Wow, I just want to send it to an FFL,I,m Not a criminil,why do I need to pay another FFL?
    This sounds like our judicial system,(lawyers making money)



    You had better declare what is in the package, it is FEDERAL law. You dont need an FFL on your end but it MAY save you money IF you CHOOSE to use one. It will cost about $75 for you too ship a handgun. Depending on the FFL you ship through, IF you CHOOSE, it will cost $10 for shipping plus whatever the FFL charges you for his time. IF it is less then $75 it MIGHT be worth it to you. I can not answer that question.


    Here is the ACTUAL shipping laws, http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/unlicensed-persons.html

    Q: May a nonlicensee ship a firearm through the U.S. Postal Service?
    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 his or her own State or to a licensee in any State. The Postal Service recommends that long guns be sent by registered mail and that no marking of any kind which would indicate the nature of the contents be placed on the outside of any parcel containing firearms. Handguns are not mailable. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun.

    [18 U.S.C. 1715, 922(a)(3), 922(a)(5) and 922 (a)(2)(A)]

    Q: May a nonlicensee ship a firearm by common or contract carrier?
    A nonlicensee may ship a firearm by a common or contract carrier to a resident of his or her own State or to a licensee in any State. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun. In addition, Federal law requires that the carrier be notified that the shipment contains a firearm and prohibits common or contract carriers from requiring or causing any label to be placed on any package indicating that it contains a firearm.

    [18 U.S.C. 922(a)(2)(A), 922(a) (3), 922(a)(5) and 922(e), 27 CFR 478.31 and 478.30]
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  • mark christian
    quote:Originally posted by GunBuff
    quote:Originally posted by GunBuff
    Hi,I'm not an FFL and need to ship a hand gun.
    I realize i need to obtain a current FFL from the buyer.
    What I need to know is which courier to use,cause it's not a good idea to mention the pacage contence.
    Anyone know?
    Thanks,Mike[?]

    Wow, I just want to send it to an FFL,I,m Not a criminil,why do I need to pay another FFL?
    This sounds like our judicial system,(lawyers making money)


    When you see the $75 charge for shipping that pistol UPS or FedEx and then add in the time it takes to drive to the depot (contract stations won't accept firearms) you may well think back over the advice of paying a dealer a modest fee to mail the pistol for you: $25 total charges vs. $75. For most of us saving fifty bucks is a big event.
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