Anyone have experience shipping a sold rifle out of state?

[tmckay2]

I am just wondering if anyone with experience can chime in with their recommendations as to the best way to do it. I know the FFL must accept from an individual first and foremost but anything to know? USPS vs. UPS? Any weird legalities involved? Thanks all!

[Rooskibar03]

Step 1. Take weapon to Noah @ Ark and let him handle it for you. Step 2. Pay the man and relax knowing all is well.

Seriously. It's just easier to make sure it's handled properly.

[kevwil]

Step 1. Take weapon to Noah @ Ark and let him handle it for you. Step 2. Pay the man and relax knowing all is well.

Seriously. It's just easier to make sure it's handled properly.

This. I have my FFL ship for me, it's less expensive and infinitely less hassle.

[tmckay2]

This. I have my FFL ship for me, it's less expensive and infinitely less hassle.

i just assumed it would be more expensive, what do costs usually run to have an FFL do it?

[kevwil]

Each FFL might be different. Mine charges $30 to box and ship insured.

[blacklabel]

Each FFL might be different. Mine charges $30 to box and ship insured.

That is well worth the cost. I've sold one rifle out of state and I'd pay $100 to not have to walk into a USPS office with a firearm.

[Mazin]

Step 1. Take weapon to Noah @ Ark and let him handle it for you. Step 2. Pay the man and relax knowing all is well.

Seriously. It's just easier to make sure it's handled properly.


Beat me too it!

[Rooskibar03]

i just assumed it would be more expensive, what do costs usually run to have an FFL do it?

25 plus the actual cost of shipping.

[Great-Kazoo]

I put mine in rifle sized box, with a lot padding. Before that i take pictures of each step. Once done, off to UPS hub (not a ups store) Fill out shipping label, pay counter help, walk out. Then pictures of rifle shipped to buyer, along with tracking number. It's maybe $25-40 tops. Depending how much i want it insured for . The last rifle insured for $3K, which the buyer and i split cost.
Upon receipt at their FFL i give them + feed back, they reciprocate.

FWIW: One of my requirements for an OOS is their FFL MUST accept a long gun from an individual. IF not i adjust the price accordingly

The bottom line is how much spare time do you have/ value ? If going to a UPS hub detours you from normal routine, pay a FFL to do it for you. If it cost the same for someone else to handle it, go that route.

[wctriumph]

I use a FFL to ship any firearm, they handle the whole thing from boxing and shipping to the receiving FFL. My cost was $40 per firearm which the buyer paid.

[Colorado Fatboy]

I put mine in rifle sized box, with a lot padding. Before that i take pictures of each step. Once done, off to UPS hub (not a ups store) Fill out shipping label, pay counter help, walk out. Then pictures of rifle shipped to buyer, along with tracking number. It's maybe $25-40 tops. Depending how much i want it insured for . The last rifle insured for $3K, which the buyer and i split cost.
Upon receipt at their FFL i give them + feed back, they reciprocate.

FWIW: One of my requirements for an OOS is their FFL MUST accept a long gun from an individual. IF not i adjust the price accordingly

The bottom line is how much spare time do you have/ value ? If going to a UPS hub detours you from normal routine, pay a FFL to do it for you. If it cost the same for someone else to handle it, go that route.

Good advise, I just shipped a rifle I traded for last week and have done this a handful of times over the years. It's very similar to shipping a regular package with FedEx Ground! I don't understand why people think this is such a big deal and waste money having a FFL ship for them. Here are the requirements for FedEx Ground, Note this is for FedEx GROUND only. I have no idea what other companies require. I use Fedex simply because their hub it close to my house. When I dropped off the rifle the other day and notified the lady at the counter there was a firearm in the package she didn't bat an eye. She simply asked if the recipient was licensed to receive firearms and if it was packaged properly to avoid damage I'm not positive but you may have to take the shipment directly to them, not to a partner, like Postnet.

Firearms cannot be shipped loaded or with ammunition in the same package
Firearms cannot be shipped from yourself to yourself unless you are a licensed manufacturer, licensed importer, licensed dealer or licensed collector.
Firearms cannot be shipped C.O.D.
Firearms cannot be shipped requiring Signature Release (direct signature required)
You must notify them you are shipping a firearm.

[Martinjmpr]

I have done it quite a few times but not since 2005. Between 1999 and 2005 I probably sold at least 10 firearms, both handguns and long guns, via Gunbroker and sent them via UPS (at that time you could not send a handgun through USPS as a private individual, at least that's what I was told.) Part of that time I was living in Laramie which made it easy as the UPS depot was right downtown off of 2nd street. I would box it up, make sure the outside of the box doesn't indicate it's a firearm (which is basically UPS telling us that they assume their employees are thieves) and then take it to UPS, informing them that it was a firearm.

When I did this I would require the FFL to mail me a signed copy of an FFL, signed in a contrasting color ink (IOW not a photocopy of a signature) and after about 2002 or so I was able to verify the FFL on line. I haven't sold a gun out of state since then so I don't know if that's still the requirement or if FFLs can now email or fax a copy of their license.

I always brought a copy of the signed FFL with me to the UPS place and I think one time out of 10 they actually asked to see the license to verify that the recipient was an FFL. The other 9 times they took my word for it.

[Colorado Fatboy]

I have done it quite a few times but not since 2005. Between 1999 and 2005 I probably sold at least 10 firearms, both handguns and long guns, via Gunbroker and sent them via UPS (at that time you could not send a handgun through USPS as a private individual, at least that's what I was told.) Part of that time I was living in Laramie which made it easy as the UPS depot was right downtown off of 2nd street. I would box it up, make sure the outside of the box doesn't indicate it's a firearm (which is basically UPS telling us that they assume their employees are thieves) and then take it to UPS, informing them that it was a firearm.

When I did this I would require the FFL to mail me a signed copy of an FFL, signed in a contrasting color ink (IOW not a photocopy of a signature) and after about 2002 or so I was able to verify the FFL on line. I haven't sold a gun out of state since then so I don't know if that's still the requirement or if FFLs can now email or fax a copy of their license.

I always brought a copy of the signed FFL with me to the UPS place and I think one time out of 10 they actually asked to see the license to verify that the recipient was an FFL. The other 9 times they took my word for it.


Here is the online system the ATF has in place to verify FFL, link below:

https://www.atfonline.gov/fflezcheck/

You only need the first three and last five digits of the FFL number to verify

Here is an example to try: 5-84-xxx-xx-xx-05246

This virtually eliminates the chances of fraud since it gives you the mailing address and expiration date.