Pointers on packing a gun for shipping?

I need to ship a rifle out to an FFL in another state. Last time I needed to do this, I had a local dealer do it. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, they don't offer this service any longer.

Another dealer in town offered to ship it, but they wanted money for a transfer fee, which seems weird if I'm shipping it to an FFL out of state.

In order to send it out, I need to source a box to put the rifle and hard sided case in. The local UPS store quoted me $63 to custom build a box (no shipping, just the box) which seems outrageous.

Since I don't have an actual box that will fit it, can I just make one by cutting up and taping together a box of the right dimensions myself? Is there a better way to do this?

Based on my experience, use a box large enough to put packing material around the hard case. Regardless of actual value, insure it for a minimum of $2500. This will trigger a procedure with UPS that means it gets hand carried through their facilities, and will never be on a conveyor belt.

Totally agree with over insuring it.

Bubble wrap the rifle, put it in a hard case, make sure the rifle does not move inside the hard case if you tilt or shake it, make your own box around the hardcase simply by wrapping it in cardboard. Tape the shit out of it. Insure it.

Or break down rifle to fit a smaller box. Go to local gun store ask if they have any ready for trash gun boxes on hand. Go home, wrap gun in bubble warp, fit to box. Even better is if you cut the box down some, so it doesn't scream Rifle. Last long gun cost me , w/ins, $48 to ship. The local ffl w/ins was $35. Guess who shipped it for me.

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Originally Posted by TFOGGER

Based on my experience, use a box large enough to put packing material around the hard case. Regardless of actual value, insure it for a minimum of $2500. This will trigger a procedure with UPS that means it gets hand carried through their facilities, and will never be on a conveyor belt.

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Thanks for the tip on the insurance. I'll definitely do that one.

Any issues with basicaly building my own box by cutting up other cardboard and taping it all together?

That's the way I do it. I piece cardboard together and then I do it again so it is double wrapped in cardboard. Makes for a pretty strong box.
Charlie

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Originally Posted by Justin

I need to ship a rifle out to an FFL in another state. Last time I needed to do this, I had a local dealer do it. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, they don't offer this service any longer.

Another dealer in town offered to ship it, but they wanted money for a transfer fee, which seems weird if I'm shipping it to an FFL out of state.

In order to send it out, I need to source a box to put the rifle and hard sided case in. The local UPS store quoted me $63 to custom build a box (no shipping, just the box) which seems outrageous.

Since I don't have an actual box that will fit it, can I just make one by cutting up and taping together a box of the right dimensions myself? Is there a better way to do this?

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If the “other dealer” wanted money for a transfer fee, he feels that he must run it through his books if he is going to ship it for you, If the rifle gets “lost” then the ATF guys may get involved in their effort to see what FFL person had shipped it.
Also, if the rifle would somehow get rejected on the other end (receiving end) due to buyer not able to get a clear background check and rifle has to be returned to sender, the originating FFL would want to make certain the original sender will pass the background check so it can be returned to him. Complicated but just think about it.

What’s the length? I have an M&P box from a 15-22 you can use for an inner box, if it will fit.

Just checked basement. I have an amazon box that fits the m&p box in it too.

PM me your number for a pic. File failing to upload (size?)