Cost to ship handgun to FFL from private party

MP1983

MP1983

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A friend is selling a handgun on gunbroker, and he (like myself) has little history with performing sales through the internet...he advertised that the buyer would have to handle shipping cost but figured it would be $25 to $30...well, apparently gun broker explains that the law says private party shipping to FFL must go overnight via Fed Ex or UPS...WHICH HAPPENS TO BE $90 :eek:

I know when I've received guns at my local FFL being sent from another FFL the shipping is always $30 or so...and I don't believe they have to be overnighted...is there a different set of rules for FFL to FFL shipping??

Do any of you fellas here on the forum have any experience in shipping from a private party to an FFL?

Any help would be appreciated.
 
Private party to ffl has to go through ups or FedEx overnight.It's expensive.I think it cost me $75 the last time I did it.An ffl can ship through the post office .We can't.
 
The requirement to ship overnight with FedEx/UPS is not a legal requirement, but FedEx/UPS policy. It is not really as bad as it seems. To ship through an FFL costs here about $30 for the FFL dealer and about $30 for shipping; about $60 overall. If you are shipping a handgun in a box, sometimes it is cheaper to find the smallest box that will fit the gun and ship the gun by air and the original box and etc by ground. This overnight shipping can get to be extravagant when shipping something like an XP-100 or PC handgun in the PC case.
 
Solution?

I heard that shipping such an item is very pricey. However, shipping a synchronized timing mechanism in a waterproof aluminum foil wrapper is not so.;)
 
Actually FedEx JUST changed their policy to Second Day Air. You may have to call a few offices, yes it CAN go out from a hub rather then the Depot, but you will find someone who can look it up for you. I think I paid $42?

Bob
 
If FedEx wil ship a handgun by 2nd day air, that is great news. FedEx here in Houston doesn't seem to know about a new policy. You can avoid the drive to a hub by opening a FedEx personal account and having FedEx pick up your shipments at your home. They charge about a 4$ fee for pick-up but give I believe a 16% discount over normal rates. They have picked up both guns and ammo at my home.
 
thanks for all the info fellas! I'll be sure to pass it along. It's nice to know there may be an option (or options...I like OldFed's idea).
 
OLDFED said:
I heard that shipping such an item is very pricey. However, shipping a synchronized timing mechanism in a waterproof aluminum foil wrapper is not so.;)
Click to expand...

IIRC according the the BATFE you are required to tell the common carrier (UPS, FEDEX) that you are shipping a firearm. If you try and get cute it might bite you in the behind if there was an insurance claim.
Better to find a FFL that can ship it USPS.

Here it is



ATF Home
Firearms
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlicensed Persons

Q: May a nonlicensee ship a firearm through the U.S. Postal Service?

A nonlicensee may not transfer a firearm to a non-licensed resident of another State. A nonlicensee may mail a shotgun or rifle to a resident of his or her own State or to a licensee in any State. The Postal Service recommends that long guns be sent by registered mail and that no marking of any kind which would indicate the nature of the contents be placed on the outside of any parcel containing firearms. Handguns are not mailable. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun.

[18 U.S.C. 1715, 922(a)(3), 922(a)(5) and 922 (a)(2)(A)]
Q: May a nonlicensee ship a firearm by common or contract carrier?

A nonlicensee may ship a firearm by a common or contract carrier to a resident of his or her own State or to a licensee in any State. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun. In addition, Federal law requires that the carrier be notified that the shipment contains a firearm and prohibits common or contract carriers from requiring or causing any label to be placed on any package indicating that it contains a firearm.

[18 U.S.C. 922(a)(2)(A), 922(a) (3), 922(a)(5) and 922(e), 27 CFR 478.31 and 478.30]
 
Last edited:
A private party shipping -

A FFL dealer can ship a handgun via USPS priority mail for +/- $20 & that includes a flat rate priority box, tracking, & insurance. Their fee for doing so varies considerably.

I have found that many store front gun shops seem to feel any internet sale is a sale lost to them & try to make up their 'cut' by a large transfer fee. In most areas, there are "kitchen table dealers" that are glad to process your internet deals for a nominal fee. You just have to seek them out. Most gun club members, avid collectors, & serious enthusiasts will have a clue who to contact.

When shipping out a handgun, you are the seller & guarenteer so you need to box, pack, secure, & have it addressed ready to mail. Google USPO form 1508. Either down load a copy or pick up a copy from your PO prior to shipping. Have postage on the package, proper tracking & insurance labels afixed. Do all leg work & paper work so the FFL only has to sign the form, include a copy of his license, & send it on it's way.

If this is a once in a life time sale for you, prolly it's not worth your time to learn how. Why not just take the hit & sell to your LGS? If you are going to take the hit from UPS, or Fed Ex, it all ends up the same for your pocket. Wouldn't you rather deal with the gun crowd locally rather than a large corp. trying to reap benifits from their own gun shipping restrictions?

Truth is, any sale add or auction that states + shipping, the shipping is part of the total cost. If you expect the buyer to pay extra for your convenience, you will have the piece a long, long time!
 
I have yet to find any publicly available information indicating that FedEx will allow handguns by anything other than Priority Overnight. My last one would have been $76 for tiny Mauser 1934 Pocket Pistol. The weight and size don't change that by very much, really. I found a home dealer who shipped it for me via USPS for a TOTAL of $40 including the shipping.

Back to FedEx...until they change their posted tariff rules, it ain't a fact.

Rob
 
Wingmaster said:
Is a C&R FFL holder a "licensee? As I read it I think so.

Wingmaster
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, the answer is "NO". Here is a link to the regulations:

43 Firearms

"A manufacturer of firearms or a bona fide dealer in firearms is one duly licensed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), U.S. Department of the Treasury, under the Gun Control Act of 1968."

By definition a C&R holder cannot deal in firearms; thus is not a "dealer".
 
Private party to FFL holder shipping is one thing. As noted, FedEx and UPS policies require next-day air, or second-day air shipping.

Shipping from FFL to FFL offers another possibility. Using Priority Mail flat-rate boxes, shipping costs can be held down under $15.00. So, even paying a transfer fee to a local FFL dealer, and a transfer fee to the FFL dealer at the buyer's end, the overall cost can be much less.
 
The last two pistols (I sold on Gun Broker) I shipped to FFLs, were shipped via UPS. The gal I talk to at UPS always sends them via "super-saver" air. The most I have ever paid at the UPS counter was $42, and the least was $28. I typically charge $30 for shipping and "eat" the overage.

Now, I have a friend who has been for YEARS, shipping handguns to FFLs via USPS in flat-rate boxes. He tells me that if you tell them at the counter that it is a handgun, going to an FFL and include a photocopy of your driver's license and the FFL license, that they take it and ship it, no questions asked.
He probably does this with 3 to 4 handguns every month. I however have read the law and do not believe that this is legal, (and have counciled him against it) therefore I use UPS. ;)
 
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My UPS hub lets me send 2nd day air. I always declare the firearm. All I notice is that they put an adult signature sticker on it. However, I also have a good FFL relationship and generally ship handguns USPS Priority from FFL to FFL.
 
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