UPS Handgun Shipping Rate

[K1500]

I have a question for the crowd. I may have a handgun sold to a resident if another state. I have never shipped a handgun anywhere except back to the manufacture for warranty work, and they have always sent shipping tags. From what I understand, I can ship via UPS next day air directly to an FFL at the address shown on the FFL. Correct me if I am wrong. My question is shipping rate. I went to UPS online and calculated the rate and I get the following quotes:

UPS Next Day Air: $88.60
UPS Next Day Air Saver: $80.97
Fed Ex Priority Overnight: $77.60

Does this seem right? I thought most folks were talking about shipping handguns via next day saver for around $30 or so. $80 shipping plus a $20 FFL transfer on the other end makes it hard to make a handgun deal. Will most FFL's even accept a handgun from a non-FFL? Thanks for the help.

 

[S&W45Colt]

Take it to an FFL in your area, have them ship USPS and you'll come out ahead money wise, plus if something gets screwy, say the gun gets used in a crime etc, you have the FFL to document the transaction and the details. JMO.

My FFL will take a gun from an individual as long as the sender provides a copy of a DL with the package.

Depending on where you live and where you are shipping it to, yes, that could be right.

 

[Teddydog]

Those look about right. Sucks, but they set the rules; ATF just says you have to follow them.

Rob

 

[LVSteve]

Yes, those numbers are spot on.

 

[Thiokol]

One thing to be aware of when calculating shipping charges online is that both UPS & Fedex will add a fuel surcharge, extra delivery charges if you're not shipping to a major city, plus a couple of other charges. When you actually ship the gun, the receipt will say that there may be additional charges that you'll be responsible for.

I have an account with Fedex that is tied to my credit card. I shipped a Walther PP to Idaho and the online calculation said the charges would be about $71.00. When I received my credit card statement the charges were actually $106.00.

 

[ladder13]

I've always wondered when someone says "make sure your FFL will accept shipment from me, a non-ffl" and they quoted a $25 or $30 shipping fee.

 

[Thiokol]

I've always wondered when someone says "make sure your FFL will accept shipment from me, a non-ffl" and they quoted a $25 or $30 shipping fee.

They are either shipping illegally through the post office, shipping Fedex or UPS ground in violation of their tariffs, or they have enough profit built into their selling price to cover the difference between the $25.00 or $30.00 and the actual shipping charges.

 

[arjay]

I've always wondered when someone says "make sure your FFL will accept shipment from me, a non-ffl" and they quoted a $25 or $30 shipping fee.

They are eating part of the shipping cost.If you advertise that you charge $75,people don't bid.Been there,done that.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Take it to an FFL in your area, have them ship USPS and you'll come out ahead money wise, plus if something gets screwy, say the gun gets used in a crime etc, you have the FFL to document the transaction and the details. JMO.

My FFL will take a gun from an individual as long as the sender provides a copy of a DL with the package.

Depending on where you live and where you are shipping it to, yes, that could be right.

Agreed. I've done it the other way ( at similar prices) and it's a real PITA. Now I just drop them at the dealer. He gets $20 to handle and $18 USPS priority insured. Not only is it 1/2 the price, but it's 1/2 the effort. Also as mentioned, it's then the FFL's problem if anything gets lost or stolen. I can't even comprehend the headache's involved if UPS lost my gun as shipped by me.
hth

 

[K1500]

Thanks for the feedback. I guess I have been out of the shipping loop, as I thought the $30 shipping advertised by folks on the for sale boards was actual shipping costs. My FFL didn't sound happy to do it for me, but he said he would and it would cost around $40 or so. Still too darn much if you ask me, but I guess there is no choice in the matter. I am glad I didn't advertise it as $X shipped.

 

[BJoe]

I recently bought a model 38 Airweight Bodyguard from a guy. He put a LOADED GUN in a box and sent it to my FFL.