All great points John. I will add that the best method to ship USPS from private seller to an FFL is for the seller to call the FFL and obtain a copy of their license
If you are a nonlicensee, you don't need a copy of the receiving dealers FFL. You are just required to ship to an FFL. While many, like me, will gladly send it, some will not. Thats because a nonlicensee doesn't
need it. If you need to verify the validity of an FFL all you need is the first three and last five digits of his FFL#.
for 2 reasons - the first is to show the postal clerk upon shipping
No USPS regulation requires anyone, anytime, anywhere to show a postal clerk any FFL. Ever. In fact it may cause more problems. Imagine that you have made a habit of bring Karen the USPS Clerk a copy of an FFL when you mail a rifle. Now guess what happens when some other guy takes his rifle to that post office.....Karen is gonna ask where is the FFL? You've caused a problem for subsequent shippers needlessly.
For a non licensee shipping a rifle or shotgun, just print the label online and drop off at the post office. The less interaction you have with a postal clerk the less nonsense about shipping a gun you'll experience.
and second, it is best to put a copy inside the box.
FYI.....the receiving dealer already has plenty of copies of his FFL. It's not necessary.
What the receiving dealer really wants is a copy of the shippers ID. Federal law requires the receiving dealer to record the name and address of the shipper and a DL is the easiest way to do that.
Many FFLs do not like to give their licenses to individuals and some FFLs, especially in CA do not want an individual shipping to them. However, most have no issue since it is perfectly legal with long guns.
It's perfectly legal under federal law for a nonlicensee to ship any gun to an FFL in any state.
The issues are:
USPS only allows licensed dealers, manufacturers and importers to ship firearms other than rifles or shotguns. Violate that and its a felony.
UPS and FedEx
policies (not laws) prohibit nonlicensees from shipping firearms period. Violate that and they don't have to deliver your gun.