UPS and Holster Shipping

Clynch · June-05-21 14:06

A few months ago I shipped a pistol through UPS. I used ship my gun for the label. I then "had to ship" it through a UPS hub. Today I tried to ship a holster through the neighborhood UPS store. The guy behind the counter said he couldn't do it. Its just a holster. No ammo or gun. I think perhaps I got the weekend guy and he just didn't know. Anybody experience this?

OV-1D · June-05-21 15:06

I'd like to know also whats up because I have a Smith & Wesson I need to ship back . Wonder what it might cost also . Believe it or not seeing I didn't know I've sent two separate hand guns on two different occasions thru USPS , they asked if its explosive and such and I said no and away they went . Honestly I'd do it again but S&W told me about them not using USPS and ship UPS instead . Now I know about that , not sure if I'll try a third time ,certainly has to be cheaper by USPS .

RogueTS1 · June-07-21 08:06

I never tell them the true contents of what I am sending. Usually I use some accurate but vague terms to describe what I am sending. They do not need to know the contents of what I am shipping. Gun parts are called machine parts, holsters would be called leather goods or art piece or fabric samples etc etc.

ds10speed · June-07-21 08:06

Quote from: OV-1D on June-05-21 15:06
I'd like to know also whats up because I have a Smith & Wesson I need to ship back . Wonder what it might cost also . Believe it or not seeing I didn't know I've sent two separate hand guns on two different occasions thru USPS , they asked if its explosive and such and I said no and away they went . Honestly I'd do it again but S&W told me about them not using USPS and ship UPS instead . Now I know about that , not sure if I'll try a third time ,certainly has to be cheaper by USPS .

I think S&W has a lifetime warranty, the last time I send one back they emailed me a FedEx shipping label at no charge.

OV-1D · June-07-21 08:06

Thanks Rogue I did the same thing back a ways . I'm trying to figure how to put Smith & Wesson on the label in a disguise term because if anyone owns one at the USPS they instantly know . I'm surely going to try again only because I get lots of business materials thru UPS and lots of orders come busted up , opened , parts falling out , retaped all over . Just don't trust those morons with my firearm . With you wishing me luck again with USPS I'll feel more confident .

Ds10 I hope so because I pulled a real boner with my six shooter and I'm not telling . Ha .

RogueTS1 · June-07-21 09:06

Just place S&W on the label. Inside can be just parts ................ as long as it is not the actual "firearm" you would be legal. You would be legal from an FFL standpoint and they do not ask for your FFL. They are used to shipping guns all the time. The USPS ships guns all the time. They do not ask questions about the contents other than the usual is it caustic, explosive fragile etc or ones FFL status.

Clynch · June-07-21 09:06

ill go to regular mail USPS because I'm not happy with the UPS store. I went to usp store for ease of packing. Not worth it.

Bj · June-07-21 10:06

I signed up for USPS Informed Delivery to get emailed pictures of what is coming in the mail daily. For me it is nothing unusual to get a picture of mail coming that never arrives. They have an option to report missing mail and the latest instruction said to wait at least 7 days before reporting missing mail. I tried that this morning after 9 days and it was rejected saying that option was too late and no longer available after 7 days.

pietro · June-07-21 11:06

.

If one has a friendly FFL, they can legally ship a handgun via USPS - and if so, you can obtain (free) a USPS Flat Rate box ( one price ships boxes up to 70lbs within the US) that fits the handgun.

OV-1D · June-07-21 12:06

Quote from: Clynch on June-07-21 09:06
ill go to regular mail USPS because I'm not happy with the UPS store. I went to usp store for ease of packing. Not worth it.

Yeah Clynch I can't imagine the prices for UPS on shipping a dreaded "FIREARM" . Just the thought must add at least $20-$30 bucks to the packages name . Like Rogue said I'm going with USPS if for nothing else for the cheapness of sending .

Boisesteve · June-07-21 18:06

Holsters CAN be shipped by USPS or UPS. The guy who refused was in error, or more likely was anti-gun and simply harassing you. Report him to his manager.
Guns CAN be shipped by UPS or FEDEX by an individual, but my experience is they make it difficult. The first time I shipped a revolver to an out-of-state shop, FEDEX wanted almost $100 to do it. The second time, it had more than doubled! (they demanded it be shipped overnight-flight, next day delivery, so it was "out of their system ASAP"). Anyhow, I shipped it as "machined metal parts", insured for its value, for around $25, got there in a few days, all was well.

adp3 · June-08-21 13:06

A dealer can ship firearms USPS but NOT an individual. You stand a serious chance of getting your gun confiscated and facing federal charges that could end your days of legal gun ownership.
I avoid all UPS stores. They are franchised outlets and I've never found one who knew what they were doing. They also charge more than a UPS hub. I use FEDEX for shipping guns. They've always allowed me to ship via 2nd Day instead of overnight so it isn't as expensive as Next Day delivery. If you list contents as something other than what is actually in the package shipping insurance is void and you could lose your gun if it's discovered. Shipping is expensive, but it's cheaper than a lawyer and the penalties if things go wrong.

ADP3

barrytheprof · June-08-21 13:06

I bring it to an FFL with a box (unsealed). Their USPS shipping charge and their fee comes out less than my shipping costs as an individual.

grayelky · June-10-21 06:06

Gentlemen and ladies
It is unlawful for an individual to ship a HANDGUN through USPS. An individual may ship a long gun through USPS.

Common carriers (UPS &FedEx) may be used to ship long guns and/or handguns. (UPS and FedEx, by their policy, not law, will only ship firearms overnight. By law, you are required to inform them it is a firearm. Failing to do so could void any insurance on the package. By law, you cannot mark the outside of the package to indicate it contains firearms. If your local clerk will ship 2 day instead of overnight, good for you! He is not violating any law, only his company policy.

As noted by Barrytheprof, it is usually cheaper, and easier to use your LGS to ship.

I use the USPS to do my shipping, mostly because it is very convenient for me. What little I have shipped with a common carrier, I have not noticed much difference in pricing. UPS stores are independently owned and operated. The store owner may not train his clerks as well as the big guys, or maybe he just does not want to bother with firearms because HE does not understand, and is afraid he might break a law. They can be very problematic to use. Remember, you are dealing with a paid employee who thinks he/she is following the law, as told to the, by their supervisor or boss.

Anytime you have any shipping questions, send me a message, or call Acworth Guns (Acworth, GA) and I will be happy to help.

PaducahMichael · June-10-21 15:06

NONE of the many ffls in my area will ship a gun. What's a fella to do?

barrytheprof · June-10-21 15:06

Have you tried:

Go to Gunbroker, --> "Find an FFL" and see if you missed any FFLs in your area.

Boisesteve · June-10-21 16:06

Thanks for the clear and concise explanation of the info and legalities, Grayelky.
But I am left with even less respect for the sanity of our law-makers than I ever had. So... you can't place any identification on the package that it contains a gun, but you are required by law to inform the lowest-wage person in the chain, the desk clerk at the shipping store who has the most to gain financially by telling his contact in the warehouse that this specific package contains a gun. It sounds like a "steal this gun" invitation to me.

Clynch · June-15-21 21:06

When I shipped a hand gun I went to ship my gun. They are an FFL. They sent me a label for $30+. I had to ship to an ffl. My uPS cost was about $70. Of course my friend picked it up from the ffl and paid their fee ... about $3o something. Quite costly but legal. I think I'm done with UPS.

OV-1D · June-16-21 05:06

NOW heres a great hoop we have to jump thru . Just got back from my FFL. here in Florida (not sure if its Federal or state standard) and got the scoop on sending your gun for repair . My FFl guy is charging me $10. in $10 bucks out plus shipping charge thru USPS and insurance . NOW but , BUT in order to pick it back up from your FFL. guy you have to do ANOTHER backround check , isn't that the pits . Just in case you tool a leak behind a tree and got caught as a SEX offender or you had any altercation being a felony you will not be allowed to retrieve your weapon , then what do you do

I didn't go any further with my questions being so pissed off at this new revelation . Besides WHAT IS IT that a FFL. dealer can send thru USPS BUT NOT the common man , WHATS UP WITH THAT

This is all transpiring because you guys made me chicken to go and send myself ,as I've done before , THANKS ALOT FELLAS .

Its been maybe ten - twelve years since I did send my pieces in for whatever but it seems those things between our legs grow smaller as we age , whats up with that issue .

How about it Grayelky is the same for you out there ?? The gun issue that is .

RogueTS1 · June-16-21 09:06

There should be no transfer fees involved since you are not transferring aka giving away your gun/property. You are simply sending it to Licensed Firm for repairs etc.

flash · June-16-21 09:06

My 22LR mini went back to NAA right near the beginning of the pandemic. I took it to a local FFL here in Washington state and he shipped it as a repair item. Charged me $35 but there was no transfer paperwork or fee involved since it was a repair. I got the sense that he wasn't keeping much of that $35 and was just being helpful.

I just acquired a new Pug and inquired about them shipping it to NAA to fit a .22LR cylinder (because Enquiring minds want to know!) The guy dug out his policy paperwork and said they would only do stuff like that specifically for repairs. But in that case again it would not be considered a transfer in WA state. As they were more of a volume place (gun counter in the local farm supply store) and not a regular gun shop I don't hold it against them.