How are you guys shipping your guns off for modifications?

[s4pat 2]

I've read all the regulations and know that a non-licencee MAY ship out of state to an FFL (long guns only). I am shipping to an FFL.

 

so, UPS, FedEx Ground, or USPS?

 

I am leaning towards USPS priority mail, insured. My problem is I have the original MKA1919 box. What is the best way to cover it. called a couple of the LGS and no one had boxes. Wrap it in shipping paper? Make my own box out of a few smaller ones to basically wrap it in cardboard?

 

FedEx is my 2nd choice as the UPS hub is quite a few miles away (about 25). Fedex is about a mile as is the post office.

 

I've never shipped a firearm before so I would appreciate any pointers. I've searched this forum, and the internet and have come up with no recent information on whats the best way.

thanks in advance.

Patrick

 

some shipping info:

Here is a direct link to the ATF rules for shipping, 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]


In short you can mail or ship a long gun though any carrier including USPS. If you are an FFL holder (not including 03) you can ship handguns though USPS. If you are not an FFL you have to ship handguns by common carrier. The two most common carriers are UPS and Fedex. Both require overnight shipping by company POLICY not law and will only accept firearms at their hubs. Federal law does require that you disclose to a shipper if a package contains a firearm.

 

ATF FAQ, http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/
ATF State laws, http://www.atf.gov/publications/firearms/state-laws/29th-edition/index.html
USPS, http://pe.usps.gov/text/pub52/pub52c4_009.htm
UPS, http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/ship/packaging/guidelines/firearms.html?srch_pos=1&srch_phr=Firearms
Fedex, http://www.fedex.com/us/freight/rulestariff/prohibited_articles.html

Edited February 15, 2013 by s4pat

[Trappnguns 1]

I've shipped exactly ONE. I went through USPS registered receipt. It had to be covered in brown paper (or tape.) Other than that it wasn't a big deal.

[ToysRUs 8]

Turn the box inside out. It will hold everything and be brown.

That's how RAAC had me do it.

[s4pat 2]

Turn the box inside out. It will hold everything and be brown.

That's how RAAC had me do it.

its apparent now that i really overthought the solution. hopefully this little tidbit of information will help others too.

 

thank you.

 

and now i feel dumb for not thinking of this before.

[Madwand 2]

Why does it have to be brown?

 

I walked into the Post Office with my lower and asked the lady for a box to fit. She gave me one, I packed it up, and mailed it. No questions.

[s4pat 2]

i took it to the post office. after i set it on the scale, i told the lady "by law i am required to notify you that this is a firearm" she looked at me like i had 2 heads. i'm glad i had my 2yr old in my arms to make me seem less menacing!!

 

so i quickly said that I certify that it is unloaded, it is a shotgun, and I am shipping to an FFL. I would like it sent priority mail, insured.

 

She thought for a few. Asked me what was an "FFL" and went to the back. I could hear the guy talking and then tell her something about insured and she told him "he already said" then i heard"priority and insured" somewhere in there.

 

So at least i answered all their questions up front.

 

She came back and completed the transaction like normal without looking at me "questionably"

[HighPlainsDrifter 466]

For all you new guys I can't stress enough how important it is to lurk around for awhile. Not much here hasn't been discussed already. There is a pinned thread in the general section on the same topic of shipping a gun.

 

Edited: When I do a topic search I tend to use google to search the forum rather than the forum's own search engine. For some reason I'm getting better results.

Edited February 16, 2013 by HighPlainsDrifter

[Garys4598 1,065]

When I've shipped them myself, I always used FedEx. Otherwise, I would take it to my FFL Dealer (a good 'ole boy that runs his business out of a converted office he made at the back of his three car garage) and have him ship it for me, via USPS insured. The USPS route generally is less expensive.

Edited February 16, 2013 by Gary

[s4pat 2]

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="HighPlainsDrifter" data-cid="864816" data-time="1361041470"><p>

For all you new guys I can't stress enough how important it is to lurk around for awhile. Not much here hasn't been discussed already. There is a pinned thread in the general section on the same topic of <a href='http://forum.saiga-12.com/index.php?/topic/34686-shipping-a-gun/'>shipping a gun</a>.<br />

<br />

Edited: When I do a topic search I tend to use google to search the forum rather than the forum's own search engine. For some reason I'm getting better results.</p></blockquote

 

I searched with various terms and didn't find anything. I haven't ventured to the general forum so i missed that. I was hoping to get feedback on more recent experiences. Maybe people will stumble on this thread with the search function now.

[HighPlainsDrifter 466]

I hear you and totally understand. A good question no matter how many times asked is still a good question.