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The Darn Rules on Shipping

Geese HowardGeese Howard Member Posts: 20 ✭✭
edited January 2008 in Ask the Experts
Im getting Mixed messages.

Here's the deal. So If I wanted to ship a rifle or a firearm I have heard that... Well let me keep it simple.

I heard one person as well as an FFL say that shipping of a handgun is OK to do from UPS to a FFL as long as the FFL provides a license to me to show to UPS. UPS even said that.

Then I talked to another FFL today who said that only FFLs can ship firearms to other FFLs regardless of whether it is a handgun or a rifle. This is "For Sale" as he described it. He said that this is a person can get up to 5 years in prison if they didn't use FFL to FFL shipping but I have been hearing all sorts of different things and even the rules I looked up leave me confused.

I would like to know FOR SURE the rules regarding shipping of
A) and handgun
B) a Rifle such as the SKS I just sold but have yet to ship.

I have a few auctions that are about to finish up and I would like to do this all proper like.
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Comments

  • nmyersnmyers Member Posts: 16,891 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    OK Geese, the rules are few, but inflexible.

    Long guns (rifles & shotguns) can be shipped by a nonlicensee (that is, you) to an FFL in any state. You can ship by USPS from any PO. You may ship UPS or Fedex, but only from a company customer counter (that is, a hub).

    Handguns can be shipped USPS only between 2 FFL's. A nonlicensee can ship a handgun to an FFL in any state, but only UPS or Fedex, & from a hub (NOT a UPS Store or Kinkos). AND, you must declare the contents & ship Next Day Air.

    Nothing on the box can identify the contents. Instead of "Bob's Gun Shop", use "Bob Smith Company". In all cases, the FFL must agree to accept delivery from a nonlicensee.

    Neal
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  • Geese HowardGeese Howard Member Posts: 20 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    See I knew this old Guy was trying to freak me out to get some business.

    I recently shipped a handgun per the rules you just suggested. UPS main Hub Identified as a Firearm next day to an FFL.

    Then I talked to this old guy and he was saying that it was illegal to ship ANY FIREARM for sale unless it was FFL to FFL. Of course he is charging $45 for the "bookwork" and then the cost of the actual shipping on top of that for any firearms I ship through him.

    OK because I swear I double checked and the rules you stated are the ones I thought I already knew until I talked to that guy today..

    So just to be clear.

    I can go get a box for my SKS and fill it with packing peanuts and bubble wrap and ship my SKS as is in that box from the USPS?

    Are there any special RULES like it has to be in a gun case or have a lock or have yellow ribbons tied to the box and be carried by four fully licensed storks that can only fly during the new lunar eclipse falling on a wednesday?
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  • nmyersnmyers Member Posts: 16,891 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    USPS is easy. Pack really well. No ammo can be in the box. Truthfully answer NO to the "4 questions". You don't have to declare the contents of your package. And, insurance is strongly recommended.

    One more thing. Be sure to verify the recipient's FFL using EZ-Check. (Otherwise, the 5 year rule could apply.)

    Neal
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  • COLTCOLT Member Posts: 12,637 ******
    edited November -1
    ...What nm said.

    ...NO ammo in the same box as the firearm. As nm said, nowhere on the pkg/box can/should appear ANY wording that indicates the pkg/box contains a firearm.


    ...and handguns CANNOT be shipped during a full moon...too many loonies about..[:D].the "old guy" was trying to scare you into doing business with him, drop him and find another 01...[;)]

    ani-texas-flag-2.gif

    Bhogie.gif
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  • Geese HowardGeese Howard Member Posts: 20 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I know money is a rough gig for people right now but GEESH. Making a guy think he could go to jail unless he uses your business is pretty shady.

    You know what? Now that I think about it he even added a caveat. He said, "It doesn't matter what it says on the website or what UPS says because they're not the ones who could get prosecuted so they could care less."
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  • 11b6r11b6r Member Posts: 16,584 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Geese- to echo what the other folks have said- person RECEIVING the firearm in another state must hold the appropriate FFL. Do not MAIL handguns unless you are a dealer (01FFL) or manufacturer- but you can ship by UPS . You CAN mail a rifle or shotgun, or ship by UPS. Whenever someone says "I heard that......" cannot help but think I HEARD Elvis is working night shift at the 7-11 in Little Rock. Go to the BATFE website, and read their rules, and go to usps.com, and read the mail service rules. And find another 01- personally would have trouble trusting him in other things.
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  • flyingtorpedoflyingtorpedo Member Posts: 1,301 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Search the forum and you will find lots of threads. Also read GB's shipping guide. They just updated it about a month ago.
    http://www.gunbroker.com/Support/SupportFAQView.asp?FAQID=1118&NoCount=1
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  • 5mmgunguy5mmgunguy Member Posts: 3,092 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Howard double to what everyone said on how to ship...your FFL is all wet!
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  • Tailgunner1954Tailgunner1954 Member Posts: 7,734 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Some FFL's will only sell/transfer a firearm that they received from another FFL. This is not due to the LAW, but because it provides another layer of CYA for them. My FFL is like this, but on a outbound shipment he charges only what UPS charges him (he privides the receipt) and on inbounds he charges a fixed % of the guns value as his "transfer/bookwork fee".
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  • Hawk CarseHawk Carse Member Posts: 4,381 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I agree with the FFL CYA thing.
    I bought a gun on the condition that the dealer would handle shipping to and from a gunsmith. Probably cut my shipping cost in half since he has a daily UPS pickup and delivery. But he required a copy of the gunsmith's FFL. Not by law, but just to CYA. I could have sent it on the gunsmith's sayso that he was licensed, but it would have cost way more, plus the trip to the depot.
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