UPS now Requires a Preprinted Label to Ship Firearms

[6pt-Sika]

We do our own UPS and the driver stops by and picks up . But we’ve got an FFL and a store front .

[John Allen]

This is all done to force you to get an account with either UPS or Fedex so all your shipments will have a record that ATF can check. If they feel you are shipping too many guns they will force you to get an ffl or quit shipping. The post office will still accept a gun from an individual as long as it is going to an ffl. You will have to show them a copy of the ffl and most dealers will not send out copies to non ffl holders. As mentioned earlier, defacto gun control.

[Stan Hillis]

I'm ignorant I guess, but how did anyone ever ship a gun without a pre-printed label anyway? Every gun I ever shipped I took to a UPS shipper, who was also an FFL holder. They weighed it, printed out everything to put on the package, I paid them, and UPS picked it up next time around.

[Brush Buster]

Originally Posted by Stan Hillis

I'm ignorant I guess, but how did anyone ever ship a gun without a pre-printed label anyway? Every gun I ever shipped I took to a UPS shipper, who was also an FFL holder. They weighed it, printed out everything to put on the package, I paid them, and UPS picked it up next time around.

I'm in the same boat Stan with the exception , our local UPS Pickup is not an FFL as far as I know ,I would give them my package ,they would weight it ,print a label ,put the label on it ,I would pay the shipping costs and the next UPS driver showed up he took the package ! No problems ,has this arrangement changed ???

[John Allen]

Up until last week,an individual could take a gun to UPS and they would accept it as long as you confirmed it was going to an ffl. Now they will not accept any gun or gun parts unless you have an account set up with them. They will not take a gun from an ffl unless he has an account with them. Fedex has a similar policy. Fedex recently confiscated some guns that were not declared as guns when they were shipped.

[Larry the Gun Guy]

Originally Posted by John Allen

Up until last week,an individual could take a gun to UPS and they would accept it as long as you confirmed it was going to an ffl. Now they will not accept any gun or gun parts unless you have an account set up with them. They will not take a gun from an ffl unless he has an account with them. Fedex has a similar policy. Fedex recently confiscated some guns that were not declared as guns when they were shipped.

Interesting, because when UPS wouldn't take my shipment of a Perazzi yesterday I went to FedEx. They didn't ask anything about what was in the package and none of their check boxes ask that question either. Although, I did show them the FFL for the address. Even after that did the clerk ask what was in the box, so I don't know how they classified it. I do know it was just short of $200 to send it. And I do have an account at UPS. I know they did no training on their new policy because the clerks have no idea of what to do or how to do it. Even when you call in they have no idea and have to put you on hold to ask others what to do. What a mess...

[Stan Hillis]

Originally Posted by John Allen

Up until last week,an individual could take a gun to UPS and they would accept it as long as you confirmed it was going to an ffl. Now they will not accept any gun or gun parts unless you have an account set up with them. They will not take a gun from an ffl unless he has an account with them. Fedex has a similar policy. Fedex recently confiscated some guns that were not declared as guns when they were shipped.

So, for me, nothing has changed at all. Sorry for those of you that WILL be inconvenienced, though.

[John Allen]

I discussed it with a UPS rep yesterday. He said the new policy is in response to unserialized "ghost guns" being shipped individual to individual bypassing FFLs. Both fedex and UPS have found undeclared guns in shipments. I guess they must run them through scanners like at the airports. The post office will still take a gun if you show them a copy of the receiving ffl. The problem is most ffl holders will not send out a copy of their license to a non ffl.

[Mike of the Mountain]

I take any packages to my local UPS shipper at a hardware store. They measure the package and weigh it, print the label, give me a tracking # and off I go to pay at the sales counter. They don't ask what is in the package. I always purchase insurance to cover the cost of the item. We'll see what happens next time I need to make a shipment.

[tom tutwiler]

Originally Posted by John Allen

I discussed it with a UPS rep yesterday. He said the new policy is in response to unserialized "ghost guns" being shipped individual to individual bypassing FFLs. Both fedex and UPS have found undeclared guns in shipments. I guess they must run them through scanners like at the airports. The post office will still take a gun if you show them a copy of the receiving ffl. The problem is most ffl holders will not send out a copy of their license to a non ffl.

I ship through USPS all the time. Have never been asked to show the receiving dealers FFL. Unless the rules changed in the last 2 weeks it's not an issue with a long gun.

These are the current USPS rules and worth printing out and taking to show the folks at USPS if there is an issue :


432.3 Rifles and Shotguns
Except under 431.2, unloaded rifles and shotguns are mailable. Mailers must comply with the rules and regulations under 27 CFR, Part 478, 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 rifle or shotgun is unloaded and not ineligible for mailing. The following conditions also apply:

Subject to state, territory, or district regulations, rifles and shotguns may be mailed without restriction when intended for delivery within the same state of mailing. These items must:
Bear a “Return Service Requested” endorsement.
Be mailed using a class of mail, product, or Extra Service that provides tracking and signature capture at delivery.
A rifle or shotgun owned by a non-FFL may be mailed outside the owner‘s state of residence by the owner to himself or herself, in care of another person in the other state where he or she intends to hunt or engage in any other lawful activity. These mailpieces must:
Be addressed to the owner.
Include the “in the care of” endorsement immediately preceding the name of the applicable temporary custodian.
Be opened by the rifle or shotgun owner only.
Be mailed using a class of mail, product, or Extra Service that provides tracking and signature capture at delivery.
Mailing of rifles and shotguns between licensed FFL dealers, manufacturers, or importers are not restricted. The Postal Service recommends that these items be mailed using a class of mail, product, or Extra Service that provides tracking and signature capture at delivery.
Rifles and shotguns may be mailed by a non-FFL owner domestically to a FFL dealer, manufacturer, or importer in any state. These items must be mailed using a class of mail, product, or Extra Service that provides tracking and signature capture at delivery.