Shipping Charges for Guns
Ive noticed quite a variance on gunbroker for shipping pistols and long guns.I wish to put some information out for every one so you can make informed decisions. About all transactions ive seen and conducted on gunbroker require FFLs which i have.It is totaly legal for a firearm to shipped from licensed dealers back and forth via US post office. The charges are competitive.IT is legal for you to ship a firearm TO a licensed dealer,but not back to you in US Mail.So if you are moving guns i hope this will keep a little money in your pocket. Im not a fan of UPS but it is a necessary evil in my humble opinion.
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Colt, for long guns, you are absolutely correct. However, HANDGUNS may only be mailed by a Dealer or Manufacturer, after they file a Form 1508 with the Postal Service.
I am an 03 C&R FFL, and I cannot MAIL a handgun, even to an 01 Dealer. Trust me- have been thru this with the ATF. Problem is, when Post Office wrote the ergs, they used the actual TERMS Dealer and Manufacturer, NOT Licensee.
Wish I COULD use USPS for handguns. I collect US Revolver Company arms, and the shipping price for a small revolver is about $65. So I pay my local 01 Dealer to recieve or ship FOR me.0 -
11b6r is right unlicensed persons can send long guns thru the mail but not hand guns..unless you just don't say anything when you do,you don;t have to declare the box contence..ups will ask for FFL if you declare guns in the box...FFL 30 years.. 0 -
Only dealers and manufacturers (and a very select few others) can ship handguns through the mail. Shipping to a dealer does not allow someone without an FFL to use the mail for handguns. 0 -
When I need to ship a handgun I take it to my local FFL.
He will ship it USPS Priority for $10 + the actual USPS charges.
Usually winds up at about $20 total.
CP0 -
One reply above stated you do not have to declare box contents when using USPS. This is NOT true. The USPS regulations REQUIRE you declare any gun you are mailing. The following works for me as a very small shipper. I am not an FFL or a C&R, and do not ship handguns.
Note: Rifles mailed USPS must use Priority Mail (PM) and you must state it is a rifle when mailed, no exceptions. Cost depends on distance, box-size & insurance value.
1. Antique, pre 1899 rifles: Can mail USPS-PM to buyer unless buyer's or shipper's State/City forbids it. Then you must use FFLs.
2. 1899 & Post 1899 rifles: Ship USPS-PM directly to receiving buyer's FFL, unless buyer's FFL requires it come from FFL. My local FFL charges $25 to do the payer work if I ship through him, I pay for & do the actual mailing at the PO.
3. California: It must go from FFL to CA FFL and the sending FFL must have a Firearm Shipment Approval from the CA DOJ giving permission to send a gun to the specified FFL in CA. This letter must be in the box with the rifle.
4. California exception: The details of the CA regulations appear to allow a rifle that qualifies as a C&R (usually 50 or more years old) to be mailed from an individual outside of CA directly to a C&R in CA without this letter.
5. A current question for old Winchesters is whether one can use the Madis dates to determine an Antique if the Cody Firearms Museum gives a later date. Since the Madis dates have been the accepted standard for years, it appears they can still be used.
6. I carry a copy of any FFL license involved with me to the PO in case there is a new postal worker who does not know me and ask question. However, usually a PO worker I know will tell any new worker to just do whatever I say, I know the regulations better than most of them.
For $1,000 to $2,000 rifles my USPS-PM cost withing the 48 states range from $30 to $40. A heaver rifle like a W86 and a longer box can move this up to $50.
If I am wrong on any of this please let me know. Enjoy these exchanges. Texas Bear0 -
quote:Originally posted by Texas Bear
...Rifles mailed USPS must use Priority Mail...
Not true. ANY firearm can be mailed parcel post or even first class if it weighs 13 ounces or less (Ruger LCP, KelTec P3at).
quote:Originally posted by Texas BearI carry a copy of any FFL license involved with me to the PO in case there is a new postal worker who does not know me and ask question. However, usually a PO worker I know will tell any new worker to just do whatever I say, I know the regulations better than most of them.
This is not required and actually causes problems for dealers who follow USPS regulations. I will not submit to "made up" regulations, and you shouldn't either. The USPS counter clerk cannot render legal opinions on any shipment involving rifles or shotguns (per Section 601 para 11.4 of the DMM).
A new clerk at my local P.O. demanded a copy of my FFL and the reciving dealers FFL. It took twenty minutes with his supervisor and a postal inspector to set him straight. Even with a copy of the DMM in front of them they had no clue. They do now.0 -
The kicker in all this is that USPS does not necessarily play by the same rules and local post offices have their own interpretation. I have received handguns via USPS (Not knowing in advance they were coming that way, he hastened to add) from other C&Rs and O1 FFLs. Some post offices say a license is a license and you can ship handguns by mail from a license to a license.
It may not be correct or legal, but it sure is cheaper!0 -
I've stopped declaring firearms in USPS shipments. Reason:
I told the clerk-lady "I've got a firearm in this box".
She said, OKAY!, and continued her business.
..so being the nosey type, I said "I've just declared something, arent you going to record the declaration/box contents anywhere"?
She said no. There's no records kept of my making the declaration. No paper trail. (Insurance-all you have to do is declare a value).
So, absence a form, declaring that on Tuesday, 13 July 2007, I made a firearms declaration, it really doesn't exist. So, I don't bother.
Does Anybody Know Of A USPS Form (By Form Number) whereby firearms declarations are recorded? My branch doesn't record the event. So, it didn't happen. What say ye?0 -
Thanks for correcting [^] my errors and making me go back and read some of the regulations. [:I] [B)] "The Postal Service RECOMMENDS [;)] that long guns be sent by registered mail..." (And Not Priority Mail as I stated.) "USPS may require mailer to open parcel or give written certification that weapon is unloaded and not concealable." "Postmasters are not authorized to give opinions on the legality of any shipment of rifles or shotguns." More details are:
From USPS Publication.
Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail
Publication 52" 432.1 General
The following conditions apply:
d. Unloaded rifles and shotguns may be mailed if the mailer fully complies with the Gun Control Act of 1968 (Public Law 90-618) and 18 U.S.C. 921. The mailer may be required to establish, by opening the parcel or by written certification, that the gun is unloaded and not excluded from mailing because of the restrictions in 431.2b and c.
434 Legal Opinions on Mailing Firearms
Postmasters are not authorized to give opinions on the legality of any shipment of rifles or shotguns. Mailers should be referred to the nearest regional ATF office for further advice. See 435 and Exhibit 435. Mailer must comply with Gun Control Act of 1968 and with state and local laws. USPS may require mailer to open parcel or give written certification that weapon is unloaded and not concealable. Registered mail service is recommended
ATF Regulations
http://www.atf.treas.gov/firearms/faq/index.htm .
(B7) May a no- licensee ship a firearm through the U.S. Postal Service?
A no- licensee may not transfer a firearm to a non-licensed resident of another State. A no- licensee 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.
(B8) May a no- licensee ship a firearm by common or contract carrier?
A no- licensee 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.0 -
There are more errors here. Unlicensed individuals can indeed send handguns through UPS or FedEx, but not the Post Office. You also can only ship to a FFL holder. The problem is that you have to ship it UPS next day air or FedEx overnight air. That makes the cost about 60 bucks or so most anywhere in the USA. The other big requirement is that you have to ship it to a FFL licensee or dealer and retain a copy of his license. Obviously the Feds want to minimize handgun transactions by individuals through higher fees for shipping. 0 -
i use the USPS priority system for hand guns 15-18.00 so i sell lots of hand guns cause the buyers like the cheap rates..i use the brown box shippers for long guns,most guns get were they need to be for 20 bucks ..again i sell lots of guns due to good rates and customers are happy.and not gouged 40-60 bucks 0
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