So I asked about the shotgun that I recently acquired and you guys delivered. I was put in touch with a great gunsmith who specializes in refurbishing Parker Brothers shotguns. I sent him photos of the shotgun. He tells me that this particular gun was manufactured in July of 1914 and has a value of between $3,000 and $4,000 once refurbished.

If I send him the shotgun, he will give me a quote with no obligation other than his cost in return shipping if I decide not to get the work done.

Here is the problem: I can ship it to him and get it returned without going through an FFL. The problem is that UPS and Fedex are telling me that they REQUIRE me to go through an FFL and they require it to go overnight at a cost of $400 each way. The idiot at the UPS center even told me that if I am not an FFL, they will require me to ship it to a police station in the town where it is going in care of the guy doing the work, and he can then pick it up there. They also require written proof of the value of the shotgun in order to insure it. I can’t get written proof until the guy I am shipping it to receives it. This is ridiculous.

Yes, I know that UPS requires overnighting of firearms because their employees are thieves. I would rather ship USPS Registered insured. Cheaper and more likely to get there, if I can.

That means the cost of shipping alone could be a third of the value of the shotgun. Since this is a long gun as well as being a C&R weapon, is there another way? Anyone have suggestions? Or should I just apply for a C&R license and send it USPS?

Categories: Guns

13 Comments

Jonathan · April 2, 2021 at 2:19 pm

As far as I know, there is no legal requirement to tell them what you are shipping unless it is hazardous. If I were you I’d find a box that it fits in that is from something else and don’t tell them what is in it.
WHO, exactly, is telling you this from Fedex and UPS? In my experience, their shipping rules vary depending on the facility you ship from. I usually ship from a local independent pack and ship store that knows me and never gives me trouble about package contents or value.

    Divemedic · April 2, 2021 at 8:36 pm

    A nonlicensee may ship a firearm by a common or contract carrier to a resident of his or her 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 or ammunition, prohibits common or contract carriers from requiring or causing any label to be placed on any package indicating that it contains a firearm and requires obtaining written acknowledgement of receipt.

    [18 U.S.C. 922(a)(2)(A), 922(a)(5), 922(e) and (f); 27 CFR 478.30 and 478.31]

Tsgt Joe · April 2, 2021 at 2:48 pm

Last gun I shipped was toS&W, last year, I just went to a walmart UPS. Smith had e mailed me a prepaid label and UPS gave me the box. I had to pack it, they said she couldnt because it was a gun. No muss, no fuss. Maybe things have changed in the last year. First time I shipped a gun to S&W, 12 years ago the UPS franchise wouldnt take it, said I had to take it to the actual UPS terminal. I just told them it was machinery.

Skip · April 2, 2021 at 5:48 pm

I sent my Citori back to Browning by fedex. UPS would not.
Got a box from local gun store, covered the printing, told Fedex ‘machine parts’ , $40.

joe · April 2, 2021 at 6:59 pm

aren’t there specialty shipping places where you may not have to go through all the red tape?…ups and fedex are having ammo and guns stolen, not sure i would trust them to deliver it…

Miguel GFZ · April 2, 2021 at 8:36 pm

I thought you could mail long guns…

https://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c4_009.htm

    Divemedic · April 3, 2021 at 10:24 am

    I think I am going to ship it Registered mail.

A. Madd Mann · April 2, 2021 at 10:35 pm

Road trip.

Jack · April 3, 2021 at 4:34 am

Go to another shop!!
For whatever reason..
He’s jerking you around.

I work in a shop, i’m the guy that does the shipping. We get 60$ if the manufacturer doesnt supply a shipping label

    Divemedic · April 3, 2021 at 10:24 am

    It isn’t the shop. It’s UPS and Fedex

Techiedude · April 3, 2021 at 7:45 am

Break it down. Send two boxes. They are parts.

That’s how my friends do it.

Jason · April 3, 2021 at 10:44 am

UPS it as “Machine Parts”, I’ve done this many times with no issues.

Jack · April 3, 2021 at 11:40 am

Bring it to a gunshop. Full stop
Let them deal with it. Full stop

We do it everyday and it dont cost 400$ damn dollars one way.

As for ups-the “stores” can make up any stuff they want. Think franchise

We have a ups store here, as soon as you say , firearm,gun, rifle , Rifle Scope(yes scope) etc…
They Refuse the package. There run by commies evidently.

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