Shipping guns to myself

[joshk-k]

Hey there,

I am moving across the country and am having a friend ship my guns to me once I get there and get settled. I have a couple questions about the process:

What is the best shipping method? UPS? USPS Registered?

What is the best way to package them? Is it fine if I ship them in well-secured hard cases with "fragile" stickers on them? When you sell a gun to someone across the country and send it, how do you box it up?

If the return address has my name on it, the registered mail paperwork has my name on it, and the recieving address has my name on it (in other words, if I'm "shipping it to myself" even though my friend is actually putting it in the mail), do I have to deal with an FFL?

Thanks,
Josh

 

[Catalina]

IIRC UPS only ships to FFL

http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/prepare/guidelines/firearms.html

 

[F4GIB]

FedEx too.

 

[trickyasafox]

if you have a C*R you could probably do some C*R rifles that way through usps

 

[kellyj00]

uh, put it on the plane in your luggage?
put it in an appropriate container with a lock on it. Keep ammo seperate from the gun.

Be sure you put it IN your suitcase if you can, you don't want some POS picking up your stuff from the baggage claim because it's a gun case.

 

[helpless]

Drive

 

[joshk-k]

I am driving, but for various reasons, would rather ship my guns than bring them along. So the questions are specifically about shipping them through the mail.

Thanks,
JOsh

 

[tenbase]

http://www.atf.treas.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm#b10

B10) May a person who is relocating out of State move firearms with other household goods? [Back]

Yes. A person who lawfully possesses a firearm may transport or ship the firearm interstate when changing his or her State of residence.

Certain NFA firearms must have prior approval from the Bureau of ATF before they may be moved interstate. The person must notify the mover that firearms are being transported. He or she should also check State and local laws where relocating to ensure that movement of firearms into the new State does not violate any State law or local ordinance.

[18 U.S.C. 922(a)(4) and 922(e), 27 CFR 478.28 and 478.31]

about all i found

 

[B. Adams]

Personally, if you're set on shipping them, I would go through USPS for long guns and travel with the handguns. If the handguns are all unloaded, in cases, and locked up somewhere other than a passenger compartment, you won't have a problem in any state. This will be much easier and waaay cheaper than shipping a bunch of handguns. Shipping long guns through USPS shouldn't cost all that much, relatively, but shipping several handguns overnight with UPS or FedEx would cost a ton, plus all the other restrictions on shipping handguns.

For shipping guns, I usually place the (well-oiled) gun inside a plastic bag, wrap the gun and bag in bubble wrap, and enclose it in a hard-sided gun case. If it's a form-fitted gun case I skip the extra bubble wrap. Then I will usually wrap the case(s) in bubble wrap as well. Putting a Fragile label on it can't hurt anything, but definitely don't label them as guns or anything gun related.

I think it would be best to take them all in your vehicle, but good luck with whatever you end up doing.

 

[JohnBT]

Straight from the horse's mouth. It appears YOU need to ship them yourself in care of another (who does NOT get to open the packages.)

B9) May a nonlicensee ship firearms interstate for his or her use in hunting or other lawful activity? [Back]

Yes. A person may ship a firearm to himself or herself in care of another person in the State where he or she intends to hunt or engage in any other lawful activity. The package should be addressed to the owner. Persons other than the owner should not open the package and take possession of the firearm.

____

I suppose it wouldn't hurt to call the BATFE and ask if your way is acceptable.

John

 

[heron]

Can't ship firearms or ammo through US Postal Service -- they confiscate 'em. Use UPS, or maybe FedEx.
Don't forget to insure them, and make sure the packaging is very solid, especially for UPS. I've personally seen a UPS driver deliver a package that was crushed flat, with truck tire marks on it, and he said that as long as the label is readable, it goes. The good news is, they never hassle about damage claims (if that makes you feel better).

 

[wdlsguy]

Although unloaded rifles and shotguns not precluded by 11.1.1e and 11.1.2 are mailable, mailers must comply with the Gun Control Act of 1968, Public Law 90-618, 18 USC 921, et seq., and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, 27 CFR 178, as well as state and local laws. The mailer may be required by the USPS to establish, by opening the parcel or by written certification, that the gun is unloaded and not precluded by 11.1.1e.

http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/601.htm#wp1065404

 

[Gator]

Can't ship firearms or ammo through US Postal Service -- they confiscate 'em.

You can ship long guns USPS with no problems, it is perfectly legal and they will not confiscate them.

I agree with B. Adams, mail the long guns and take the handguns with you.

 

[Agent 006 &7/8]

Once you clear the NY state line you will find that transporting firearms is not much of a hassel... except Cook Co Ill. GO AROUND!!!

 

[Tomac]

Can't ship firearms or ammo through US Postal Service -- they confiscate 'em.

Better check your facts, my local FFL's use USPS all the time. Ammo is forbidden, handguns must go through FFL's on both ends, long guns (if being sold interstate) must go *to* an FFL, long guns being shipped to yourself (moving, hunting trip, match, etc) do not need to go through an FFL.
Tomac

 

[heron]

I stand corrected. I was basing this on an instruction in the owners manual of one of my rifles, which stated that USPS would confiscate guns.
Thanks for the heads-up.