long gun shipping question

**skyjerk** · April 8th, 2009, 10:23 PM

I just want to verify that I'm doing this right.

I sold a rifle on gunbroker.

He sent me a scanned copy of the FFL cert to ship it to.
I verified the FFL number on BATF website and it is a legit 01 FFL

Can I ship UPS ground to the FFL?

What are the actual rules for how it is to be shipped? PAcked?
Type of shipping service etc? Like I don't have to pay a mint to have it shipped overnight or anything?

Is Fedex better?

Do I have to notify them of the contents of the shipment? ie: Firearm?
Should I insure the package for its actual value?

To sum it all up, what is the best, most common way to ship a rifle?

Thanks

Chris

**britch999** · April 8th, 2009, 10:56 PM

for long guns you can ship usps, just some post offices get paranoid and have to check regs, or you can ship ups or fedex.

**skyjerk** · April 9th, 2009, 07:44 AM

Originally Posted by britch999

for long guns you can ship usps, just some post offices get paranoid and have to check regs, or you can ship ups or fedex.

Do I have to notify them of the contents of the shipment? ie: Firearm?
Should I insure the package for its actual value?

Whats the best, most common way to ship a rifle?

**Xringshooter** · April 9th, 2009, 08:01 AM

You can ship a long arm to a FFL in any state via USPS, or common carrier (UPS, FedEx, etc.). You can ship long arms via ground with UPS, FedEx. Handguns must go overnight when using UPS and FedEx only because of their internal regulations. A non FFL cannot use USPS to ship a handgun.

Any way you ship, make sure that there is nothing on the outside of the box that says it is a firearm.

If shipping through UPS or FedEx DO NOT take it to a satellite location (Staples, Office Depot, etc.) as they will not accept it. Take it directly to the main office, they will know what to do and how to do it.

Insure it for the value of the gun (or how much it was bought for). No matter who you ship with, it needs to be packed good. You can get shipping boxes specifically for long arms or make your own. Pack it so it doesn't move around inside the package.

You will need to tell them that it is a firearm, especially if it is insured, otherwise if anything were to happen they could deny your claim.

Probably the most common way is via UPS because many people run into USPS people that don't know the rules and give you such a hassle that it's easier to go UPS. I use USPS a lot but the folks at my PO know me and know I deal with guns.

**LisaA** · April 9th, 2009, 08:10 AM

Everyone else mentioned the shipping aspects, so I won't go into that. However, make sure you pack the longarm well. I have had rifles come damaged because the person shipping the gun failed to put plenty of bubble wrap, etc. in the box, preventing the gun from moving around. You also want to put extra wrapping on anything that protrudes.