Shipping a rifle out of state

[kidicarus13]

As I understand it I can ship a rifle out-of-state as long as it is shipped to a FFL. I plan on using USPS because I've read that it is less expensive compared to FedEx or UPS. Does anyone know packaging requirements for such shipments? I was planning on shipping it in a hard plastic rifle case with extra packing in the interior to protect the rifle and then basically secure the case shut with packing tape. Or will the case have to go inside a cardboard box?

Is anyone experienced shipping long guns?

[palepainter]

Can you ship a gun USPS? It may be so with a rifle, but I recollect not being able to ship a pistol to CZUSA via USPS.

[jerrymrc]

As I understand it I can ship a rifle out-of-state as long as it is shipped to a FFL. I plan on using USPS because I've read that it is less expensive compared to FedEx or UPS. Does anyone know packaging requirements for such shipments? I was planning on shipping it in a hard plastic rifle case with extra packing in the interior to protect the rifle and then basically secure the case shut with packing tape. Or will the case have to go inside a cardboard box?

Is anyone experienced shipping long guns? I would put it in a box and also break it down. I have only used UPS and having a long/skinny box just screams "GUN". A broken down gun (if it can be) will not incur the oversize fee at UPS.

I have always used rigid foam on the ends and layers of thin bubble wrap. Ridged foam allows you to "position" the gun in the box away from the sides and each of the pieces. Think of the material and spacing the last computer you bought was packed.[Beer]

[86k10]

I think you have to download a form and fill it out to ship long arms thru USPS. I use UPS just to avoid that. I have seen the form but don't remember much about it.

[lifeon2]

you can ship through usps. I would suggest putting the case in a box though.

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

If you need a box I have several in the garage.

[spencerhenry]

i asked in the glenwood springs office, some postal employee, whom i wasnt even talking to, yelled out that "ONLY DEALERS CAN SHIP GUNS". i didnt bother trying to get any more info.
bunch of liberal pukes around here.

[speedysst]

My only suggestion is to NOT do what the former owner of an STG58 I purchased did. He shipped it in a rifle case that was merely taped shut. Im surprised UPS accepted this for shipment!

[JohnTRourke]

cardboard box
FedEx does it better, same money. Just in my experience.

usually about $20 or so in CONUS.

[Fmedges]

I've sent a rifle before USPS and I just broke it down, put it in a box and shipped it. I didn't specify what was in the box and everything worked out awesome. Not the best advice, but here you go.


Federal Law requires that all modern firearms be shipped to a holder of a valid Federal Firearms License (FFL) only. The recipient must have an FFL; however the sender is not required to have one. Any person who is legally allowed to own a firearm is legally allowed to ship it to an FFL holder for any legal purpose (including sale or resale).
Here is exactly what the ATF 'Federal Firearms Regulations Reference Guide' (ATF P 5300.4) says:
(B9) May a nonlicensee ship a firearm by carrier?
A nonlicensee may ship a firearm by 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) and 922( e), 27 CFR 178.31]
(B8) May a nonlicensee ship a firearm through the U. S. Postal Service?
A nonlicensee may mail a shotgun or rifle to a resident of his or her own state or to a licensee in any state. Handguns are not mailable. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun. A nonlicensee may not transfer any firearm to a nonlicensed resident of another state. The Postal Service recommends that longguns 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.

Also, I got my rifle from the CMP delivered to my door, no FFL needed. So Much for consistency.

[Skully]

I just months ago I shipped a rifle out of state to a C&R FFL in Georgia. Break it down no markings and go to FEDEX.

It was cheaper and when I went to UPS store and they told me they can no longer accept them at the chain stores you have to take it to the main hub (Commerce City 56th ave) LAME!

FEDEX was super easy. Make sure you get a copy of the FFL for your records in case they come ask you questions.

There was a story about that on TRUTH ABOUT GUNS (http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2012/05/foghorn/annals-of-bureaucracy-how-a-shady-ffl-and-incompetent-atf-agent-almost-landed-me-in-jail/). A dumb FFL and even dumber ATF agent. Just make sure you cover your bases.

[kidicarus13]

Maybe I will ship FedEx then. PM sent to Lifeon2.

[spqrzilla]

i asked in the glenwood springs office, some postal employee, whom i wasnt even talking to, yelled out that "ONLY DEALERS CAN SHIP GUNS". i didnt bother trying to get any more info.
bunch of liberal pukes around here.

USPS employees vary in knowledge. Obviously that's not true.

[speedysst]

I just months ago I shipped a rifle out of state to a C&R FFL in Georgia. Break it down no markings and go to FEDEX.

It was cheaper and when I went to UPS store and they told me they can no longer accept them at the chain stores you have to take it to the main hub (Commerce City 56th ave) LAME!

FEDEX was super easy. Make sure you get a copy of the FFL for your records in case they come ask you questions.

There was a story about that on TRUTH ABOUT GUNS (http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2012/05/foghorn/annals-of-bureaucracy-how-a-shady-ffl-and-incompetent-atf-agent-almost-landed-me-in-jail/). A dumb FFL and even dumber ATF agent. Just make sure you cover your bases.

When I went to the UPS hub in Commerce City to ship my C93, the lady there said the UPS stores are too expensive anyway. It only cost me $30 with insurance to OK. I was OK with that!

[van7559]

I know a guy who shipped a firearm once, and when he was asked by the lady at the counter what was in the box, he replied machined parts. worked like a charm

[Skully]

When I went to the UPS hub in Commerce City to ship my C93, the lady there said the UPS stores are too expensive anyway. It only cost me $30 with insurance to OK. I was OK with that!


The rifle I sent was not able to be broken down, so long arse box. Fedex was $31 something with shipping and insurance and just down the street from me. whereas UPS hub would have cost me another $10 in gas. :D

[Scanker19]

+1 for FedEx. My experience e was that is was $5 more for FedEx 3 day but that included insurance. Good luck claiming something with USPS.

My dumb USPS employee wanted the firing pin removed. I told him I would remove the bolt, he said no the firing pin. I went to FedEx.

[redneck122]

I shipped two pump shotguns In a long hard sided case. Put that into a large box and taped it shut. Only cost me $17 and some change USPS to CA

[spyder]

Here is a whole sticky on it: http://www.ar-15.co/forums/showthread.php?t=42217

[kidicarus13]

Just received a copy of the FFL and discovered the mailing address is a PO Box and FedEx does not deliver to PO Boxes. There is also a "premises address" listed. Okay to ship FedEx to that address?

[Great-Kazoo]

Just received a copy of the FFL and discovered the mailing address is a PO Box and FedEx does not deliver to PO Boxes. There is also a "premises address" listed. Okay to ship FedEx to that address?


Contact the ffl you have a copy for and see where the premises is vs po box.

[rockhound]

when i ship out of state i go to my ffl and let him handle it all. he packs it ships it, makes sure there is an ffl on the other end for sure, way easier