The latest on shipping gun stuff through UPS

[gmerkt]

UPS, United Parcel Service ("Brown Truck"), not the USPS (Post Office).

The latest is, as of about Nov. 17, 2024, many of the UPS retail Customer Care Centers are closed. The signs on the doors say, "Permanently Closed." These are the retail counters at the "hubs" where we used to be able to take individual, retail parcels for acceptance into the UPS system for delivery.

I should say, all of them in the greater Seattle area that I've checked. Everett, Redmond, Tukwila, Pacific and south Seattle. I've been told this situation can be found throughout Wash. and Ore.

There are the UPS "Stores" which I believe are mostly franchise operations. Last time I checked some time ago, they were not permitted by contract to accept guns or ammunition for shipment. Lately, I've read that it may be possible to set up an account beforehand at one of these businesses for gun related shipments. But it isn't clear to me what that might consist of. Do they require an FFL for this? Is there a monthly service charge to keep the account open? Is such an account needed for every UPS Store you might want to ship from? I haven't looked into any aspect of this.

Lately, I arranged to sell a now-banned rifle (in Wash.) to one of the out of state resellers. Cash My Guns / Dunlop Gun Buyers. They provide prepaid shipping, but it involves this situation with UPS. When I informed them of the retail customer closures, they arranged for a pickup by a UPS driver. Those guys aren't equipped to issue a paper receipt, they just scan it in. I was a little nervous doing this, but I now see the tracking number is in the system. We'll see how this deal goes.

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[nosbocaj]

Hmm interesting. The last time I shipped a firearm, I used Ship My Gun. I had a great experience with them. Though they say you need to drop it at a customer care center, the nearest one to me at the time was two hours away. So I scheduled pickup through my UPS account and the driver took it without question. He didn't care even though it was pretty clear by the box shape that it was a rifle.

 

[solv3nt]

Rifles can go USPS.

 

[L84Cabo]

UPS stopped accepting guns from regular citizens a couple years ago. Didn't matter where you took it. The only way you can ship a gun at this point is if it is via a FFL's account/shipping label, or via ShipMyGun.com (SMG)...who uses UPS. The good news here is that SMG was always cheaper than what it costs going to UPS directly. It's been awhile since I've shipped anything so I have no idea what SMG's rates are currently.

If anyone knows of another way to LEGALLY and PROPERLY ship pistols via UPS or FedEx, please let me know. Note that not disclosing what it is, or doing something ridiculous like calling the thing, "mechanical parts," and that type of nonsense does not count. The problem with lying about what you are shipping, is that if the thing does go missing, you will need to file a police report. And at that point, UPS will likely find out what you have done, and they'll refuse to pay your claim...because you lied and didn't follow their rules. Now if you're willing to eat the cost of a lost firearm, then go right ahead and play the silly games.

Also...this sucks major donkey nuts and the GOP should step and and try to solve the damn problem. But the GOP sucks major donkey nuts too and they're just about useless. The right to keep and bear arms certainly also includes the right ship arms out for service. UPS and FedEx only caved because of pressure applied to them by the Dems. There should be an investigation into how this was achieved...because I doubt it was legal. I don't know what happens if SMG goes away.

 

[WAYNO]

Rifles can go USPS.

Until your local ignorant USPS employees refuse to do so...

I've gone thru this where the employees actually freaked out when they knew I was shipping a gun. I keep a copy of all the rules, laws and regulations available, but it could take hours to see a manager and actually force them into a corner to accept the shipment. And even then, they try their best to twist the laws. "Oh it has to be disassembled". Or "Oh, we can't ship a semi auto". it's crazy and sad, these dimwits. I've turned them in, but I received no follow up of any kind.

 

[nosbocaj]

UPS stopped accepting guns from regular citizens a couple years ago. Didn't matter where you took it. The only way you can ship a gun at this point is if it is via a FFL's account/shipping label, or via ShipMyGun.com (SMG)...who uses UPS. The good news here is that SMG was always cheaper than what it costs going to UPS directly. It's been awhile since I've shipped anything so I have no idea what SMG's rates are currently.

If anyone knows of another way to LEGALLY and PROPERLY ship pistols via UPS or FedEx, please let me know. Note that not disclosing what it is, or doing something ridiculous like calling the thing, "mechanical parts," and that type of nonsense does not count. The problem with lying about what you are shipping, is that if the thing does go missing, you will need to file a police report. And at that point, UPS will likely find out what you have done, and they'll refuse to pay your claim...because you lied and didn't follow their rules. Now if you're willing to eat the cost of a lost firearm, then go right ahead and play the silly games.

Also...this sucks major donkey nuts and the GOP should step and and try to solve the damn problem. But the GOP sucks major donkey nuts too and they're just about useless. The right to keep and bear arms certainly also includes the right ship arms out for service. UPS and FedEx only caved because of pressure applied to them by the Dems. There should be an investigation into how this was achieved...because I doubt it was legal. I don't know what happens if SMG goes away.

I shipped a pistol with SMG in April. Scheduled a UPS pickup. No issues.

No idea what happens if SMG goes away. Those will be dark times (if they happen). I guess the only option then will be to pay an FFL to ship?

 

[bcp]

Until your local ignorant USPS employees refuse to do so...

I've gone thru this where the employees actually freaked out when they knew I was shipping a gun. I keep a copy of all the rules, laws and regulations available, but it could take hours to see a manager and actually force them into a corner to accept the shipment. And even then, they try their best to twist the laws. "Oh it has to be disassembled". Or "Oh, we can't ship a semi auto". it's crazy and sad, these dimwits. I've turned them in, but I received no follow up of any kind.

They aren't supposed to ask about contents, except if it is perishable, etc.

You should have no clues showing. I will even abbreviate the name, if it would tell.

They don't ask, you don't tell.

Bruce

 

[WAYNO]

Everybody has their own ideas of what "they" can do.

When shipping through the post office, you are required to declare if it is potentially dangerous. They define a rifle as potentially dangerous.

 

[L84Cabo]

They aren't supposed to ask about contents, except if it is perishable, etc.

You should have no clues showing. I will even abbreviate the name, if it would tell.

They don't ask, you don't tell.

Bruce

Until your local ignorant USPS employees refuse to do so...

I've gone thru this where the employees actually freaked out when they knew I was shipping a gun. I keep a copy of all the rules, laws and regulations available, but it could take hours to see a manager and actually force them into a corner to accept the shipment. And even then, they try their best to twist the laws. "Oh it has to be disassembled". Or "Oh, we can't ship a semi auto". it's crazy and sad, these dimwits. I've turned them in, but I received no follow up of any kind.

Here is UPS official policy on shipping firearms from their website..

How To Ship Firearms | UPS - United States

Information from UPS about how to ship firearms, which are considered a special-care shipment and require some extra steps before packing them up and shipping.

www.ups.com

How To Ship Firearms

Shipments containing Firearm Products are accepted for transportation only from shippers who are federally licensed and have an approved UPS agreement for the transportation of Firearm Products.

Once again...

UPS is no longer shipping guns from regular citizens. You need to be shipping on an FFL's label of some sort. If you ignore their policy and try to covertly ship your gun anyway...and the gun goes missing...You're going to have a hell of a time collecting on any insurance.

And personally, I think it's irresponsible to say things like this..."don't ask/don't tell," etc., without advising people of the very real ramifications if the gun goes missing. Some newbie who doesn't know any better may take your advice...and get screwed. So please at least explain the possible consequences if you're going to tell people this.

 

[1911Fanatic]

Is UPS still accepting ammo to ship from a non FFL to someone within the same state?