I just sent a revolver to S&W by UPS. $70.69 next day with $400 insurance. I should have gone to my ffl and paid their $50. I don't know how people in the classifieds can state $25-$40 shipping. What am I missing?

AirBorn, DHL, FedEx, and UPS all offer discounts to volume shippers.

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Always Stay Strong!

FFL holders can ship thru the U.S. Postal service which is a lot cheaper for handguns. Long guns can be shipped thru UPS or FedX for the $25 to $40 price. Next time ship the handgun thru Fedx as their ground price is cheaper.

My FFL uses USPS in a flat rate box.

Charges me $20 to ship.

But then again he gets to listen to my weak BS while he shows me a new collectible from his massive safe.

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Professional Trainer

Sounds like I should either negotiate with my ffl or try FedEx. Does FedEx allow handguns to go by ground? And will shipping center stores accept handguns for FedEx or do they require you to go to one of their main depots like UPS does?

FedEx required me to go to their main depot here.

I could be wrong because it's been a while, but I think FedEx requires expedited shipping like UPS.

I'd shop around for a local FFL. Tell him you'll furnish the flat rate box and offer to take it to the post office once he's labeled it.

Might help.

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Professional Trainer

FedEx charged me less small change to send a New Kimber to Nu Yok from Amarillo, Tx. Does that tell you something about QC at Kimber?

Rule 303

This topic inevitably leads to the question of whether a non-licensee must tell FedEx or UPS truthfully what is in the box.

It would appear that there is no criminal penalty for telling FedEx or UPS that the box contains "machine parts." However, if your gun disappears in transit, no insurance claim for a firearm will be honored.

Under no circumstances may a non-licensee ship a handgun in the US mail unless the handgun is a curio and relic. It is my understanding that there is a special disclosure process with C&R handguns at the Post Office for folks who have a C&R license.

Non-licensees may ship long guns at the Post Office, and there is no requirement to disclose the specific contents of such package.

The smart money says ship your valuable handguns through a sympathetic FFL, and get proper insurance. My FFL charges $25 plus postage for the service.

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WWSSD?
What would Skeeter do?

Just checked FedEx's current firearms ground shipping rule (a.k.a. "Ground Tariff":

FXF Rules Tariff

Looks like Fed Ex is NOT requiring overnight shipping for firearms, as there is a policy for shipping by ground. Good luck explaining this to the counter agent.

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WWSSD?
What would Skeeter do?

Oh wait... never mind.

I just read Rule 8 on the FedEx ground tariff.

"FedEx Ground will not accept for transport handguns, assembled or disassembled."

So, that's that.

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WWSSD?
What would Skeeter do?

Incorrect.
A C&R handgun is still legally a firearm. It CANNOT be mailed by an individual.
An ANTIQUE (pre-1899) handgun is not considered a firearm anymore by ATF, and can be mailed.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

I think an FFL needs to have an "account" of some sort with the USPS before shipping. Form 1508? IOW,you can't just hand a flat rate box to him and he drops it in the mail. I could be wrong, I frequently am.

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Sure you did

An FFL can ship a hand gun by the USPS. He must hand the USPS clerk a form 1508 for each handgun. Flat rate box makes a cheap service, when you add insurance it adds a lot to the price.

When I was in business I shipped several hundred guns this way, many to forum members.

I'm no longer in business. My FFL charges me $10.00 service fee. I do all the work, package the gun, fill out the 1508 form, purchase the postage and insurance on-line when I can. There is a limit on insurance that you can purchase on-line.
My FLL looks at my work, logs in the gun, logs out the gun, supplies a copy of his FFL when needed and I take the package to the Post Office. Some postal clerks require the package to be delivered to them by a representative of the FFL.

Bob

The correct fedex page is
FedEx Service Guide - Terms & Conditions - Express & Ground
item 3, overnight priority only.

I think sellers will eat some of the cost of shipping to move the gun. I've done that several times. Shipping cost over 50.00 dollars are often rejected by people who have no idea how much next day air shipping cost.

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OGCA Member.

Last year, the USPS raised the online insurance available to $5,000 (Five Thousand).

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett