Shipping costs

[arjay]

I sold a few revolvers on an auction site this week and was amazed at how expensive it is for a private seller to ship UPS overnight air.The last time I did this it cost me $60.This time it was $80 each

Does anybody with some experience at this know a way to legally ship a handgun for a decent price?

 

[arjay]

I sold a few revolvers on an auction site this week and was amazed at how expensive it is for a private seller to ship UPS overnight air.The last time I did this it cost me $60.This time it was $80 each

Does anybody with some experience at this know a way to legally ship a handgun for a decent price?

 

[truckemup97]

A friendly FFL might ship it cheaper for you.

 

[Jeff423]

I used FEDEX ground and was less than $20. This was for a shipment from an individual (me) to an FFL.
All I had to do was tell them what was in the package.

Jeff

 

[cusingeorge]

Negotiate a better rate.

What they quote you is never set in stone, the local UPS and Fed Ex stores can give a little on the price, but you have to ask.

Remember, they are charging you full retail price to ship stuff.

 

[J. Galt]

Does anybody with some experience at this know a way to legally ship a handgun for a decent price?

Unfortunately there is no cheap way to do it yourself. FedEx and UPS both require next day air. An FFL can use USPS, if you have one that has a reasonable transfer fee it may be less expensive.

 

[RGAmos]

I have in the past packed handguns in rifle boxes and declared them as firearms. I noted the model and serial # on the FedEx Form but never said I was shipping a rifle. When they see the rifle box, they assume it is a rifle. Rifles can be shipped by ground while handguns by FedEx policy must be shipped overnight. However, if I were shipping an extremely valuable handgun, I would pack and declare it as a handgun for insurance considerations.

 

[Jeff423]

Unfortunately there is no cheap way to do it yourself. FedEx and UPS both require next day air. An FFL can use USPS, if you have one that has a reasonable transfer fee it may be less expensive.

Unfortunately there is no cheap way to do it yourself. FedEx and UPS both require next day air. An FFL can use USPS, if you have one that has a reasonable transfer fee it may be less expensive.

Are you sure about this? UPS required air but as I stated above FEDEX was happy to let me use ground.

FWIW: This is from FEDEX's website:
"Firearms
Carrier will transport and deliver firearms as defined by the United States Gun Control Act of 1968, between areas served in the U.S., but only between:
Licensed importers; licensed manufacturers; licensed dealers; licensed collectors; law enforcement agencies of the U.S. or any department or agency thereof; and law enforcement agencies of any state or any department, agency or political subdivisions thereof; or
Where not prohibited by local, state and federal law, from individuals to licensed importers, licensed manufacturers or licensed dealers (and return of same).
Carrier cannot ship or deliver firearms C.O.D.
Upon presenting the goods for shipment, the person tendering the shipment to Carrier is required to notify Carrier that the shipment contains a firearm. The outside of the package(s) must not be marked, labeled or otherwise identify that the package(s) contains a firearm.
The shipper and recipient must be of legal age as identified by applicable law.
The shipper and recipient are required to comply with all applicable government regulations and laws, including those pertaining to labeling. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives can provide assistance.
Carrier will transport small-arms ammunition when packed and labeled in compliance with local, state and federal law, and the Hazardous Materials section of this Service Guide. Ammunition is an explosive and must be shipped separately as hazardous materials. You agree not to ship loaded firearms or firearms with ammunition in the same package."

I don't know if that answers any questions or not.

Jeff

 

[Bekeart]

As Molly often said "tain't so, McGee".

My FFL regularly gets COD firarm shipments via both FEDEX and UPS. They do require either Cashier's Check or USPS Money Order - NO CASH!
One of his distributors ships the handguns FEDEX 3-Day Surface.

Bekeart

FWIW: This is from FEDEX's website:

Carrier cannot ship or deliver firearms C.O.D.

 

[J. Galt]

Are you sure about this?

Yep: "Firearms must be shipped via FedEx Priority Overnight service."

http://www.fedex.com/us/servic...html?link=4#firearms

However, some distributors, who do a lot of business with FedEx, negotiate their own deals.

 

[Landpimp]

if overnight, use the PM option not the AM......it saves a few bucks

 

[lcdrdanr]

Since an FFL can ship handguns via U S Post Office, I frequently ship a handgun through my FFL. He charges me $25.00 to run it through his books but shipping is typically $12 to $15 including insurance. I normally charge a flat $30 to the customer for shipping and eat the remainder.
Basically, the customer gets a reasonable shipping rate that they don't ususally mind paying while I pay 5 to 10 bucks out of pocket and don't have the hassle of packing and shipping nor any issues of "was it legal".

Long guns, I buy used hard cases for 8 to 12 bucks, pack the gun and ship it via U S Post Office, Priority, Insured. Again, total cost usually runs $30 to $35 depending on the gun and ship to location. I typically charge a flat $35, eat anything over, and have a happy customer 'cause he got a "free" hard case.

Dan R