antelopedundee
internet bum
Anyone aware of any recent changes in their policy in this regard?
Shipping Firearms via FEDEX
- Thread starter antelopedundee
- Start date
Wayne Shaw
Active member
Changes?
antelopedundee
internet bum
I took one [a barreled action and unfinished stock] to ship today and their system had crashed. While waiting for it to come back up we had a little banter about FEDEX never asking what was in the packages. After it got back up she was entering stuff and asked me what was in it. I replied firearm parts. I had a labelled to an individual, but he was in their system as John Smif gunsmithing. Then she said the only allow shipping from dealer to dealer which was news to me. Anyone else hear that? She finally took it and didn't require overnight. I wonder if they made any changes since the Parkland incident. IIRC the head honcho is one of the NRAs biggest supporters.
walker2713
New member
Based on my experience, they require overnight air for handguns, but not for long guns. I've usually found the USPS to be a better choice for long guns and "firearm parts."
Apparently you found yourself talking to an employee who didn't know what she was talking about.
Apparently you found yourself talking to an employee who didn't know what she was talking about.
antelopedundee
internet bum
When shipping to a gunsmith it's kind of hard to hide what's in the box, altho I suppose they drive cars too. I addressed/shipped to a person, but it turns out he has a FEDEX account with gunsmithing as part of the name.
For the most part I have always put handguns in a larger box (like a 'book box' that is a about 24 x 18 x 16 inches).
The increase in weight is pretty nominal but it no longer has the small size and weight of a handgun.
walker2713
New member
A couple years ago I stopped in a post office in a small town near here because it was convenient that day. The woman behind the counter said: what is it? I replied that it was a rifle....
Her: the post office doesn't ship firearms.
Me: yes, you do
Her: no, we don't
Me: I want to speak to the Postmaster.
Her: I'm the Postmistress.
Me: then you know you ship firearms....
End of discussion....she shipped the rifle.
Not all supervisors are created equal.
antelopedundee
internet bum
My 21+ pound package cost $59 to ship via FEDEX. The USPS would have been unaffordable or a lot more. The recipient doesn't have a mailbox at his street addy so it would have to have gone to his PO Box. Technically you are supposed to declare that the package contains a firearm tho the FEDEX clerk didn't chastise me for not doing it. I admit I was unaware of that requirement.
Have not shipped firearms in quite some time but a local dealer advised to use FEDEX over UPS.
A cursory search of the net didn't bring up any references to recent changes of FEDEX policy regarding shipping firearms.
antelopedundee
internet bum
No.
Don't know why anyone would choose to ship a long gun by FedEx over the USPS. Never paid that much and usually insure for the actual value. They don't ask what's in the box and don't care where it's going. Even better, the PO is a 5 minute drive and FedEx is a half hour, but that's just me. Maybe someone else has a different situation.
Rick
Rick
antelopedundee
internet bum
I shipped a barreled action, unfinished stock, trigger guard, magazine and guard screws insured for $1500 inside of a gun case with the case going into the [taped over] box it came in 30 years ago for $59. What would the USPS charge for that?
Also the box is about 4 x 12 x 52. The stocker is going to have to ship it back in something too.
Attachments
It depends on the weight, amount insured for location and destination. I ship long guns a few times per year. The last one was in that insured range and the cost was similar or maybe a little less IIRC. I use ULINE boxes designed to slip one inside the other. They are very strong and I've never had damage. I much prefer them to shipping in hard gun cases as there is no indication that there is a firearm inside.
Rick
Following a Link
to the ATF site regarding shipping by a nonlicensee to a licensed person or entity. Note the comment about not ID on the outside of the package that its a firearm!
https://www.atf.gov/firearms/qa/may-nonlicensee-ship-firearm-through-us-postal-service
Lots of good advice about what to tell a clerk who is nosy about package contents. Just follow it.
to the ATF site regarding shipping by a nonlicensee to a licensed person or entity. Note the comment about not ID on the outside of the package that its a firearm!
https://www.atf.gov/firearms/qa/may-nonlicensee-ship-firearm-through-us-postal-service
Lots of good advice about what to tell a clerk who is nosy about package contents. Just follow it.
antelopedundee
internet bum
Generally unlike UPS people, FEDEX folks don't ask what's in the box. When their system shows that it's going to a gunsmith then of course they are going to ask and per their rules you are supposed to declare a firearm whether they ask or not. Any indications that the box once contained a gun case were covered over with brown tape long ago. I suppose somewhere along the line, someone can still figure it out.
Good advice
so fedex says but hes a gunsmith. well maybe but he is also a machine shop making mods to my machine parts. Dust them off.
so fedex says but hes a gunsmith. well maybe but he is also a machine shop making mods to my machine parts. Dust them off.
Wait until you ever need to make an insurance claim.
They will not pay.
BATFE also says you must declare to the shipper.
Let alone violating the "contract of carriage" you agreed to when you signed the shipper form (but never read).