shipping firearms...lesson learned

[ssgross]

I just shipped a rifle to have some work done on it - this was my first time. I did my homework, and decided to ship UPS since it's pretty easy to schedule a pickup at your house - you have to schedule a pickup or drop it off at a distribution center.
https://www.ups.com/us/en/help-cente.../firearms.page
They make it sound easy. I went to create a label online, but they make you declare the contents. When I put in "rifle" it wouldn't let me continue, but typing in "firearm" is ok. I felt uneasy about it, and I certainly didn't want to drive an hour away to argue with some uninformed idiot at the counter of the distribution center after I just finished reading their entire policy and fine print on my own.
So I went over to FedEx.com, and read theirs.
https://www.fedex.com/en-us/shipping...-firearms.html
You can schedule a pickup by creating an account, or drop off at any staffed fedex office location (not kinkos or other contracted places). I have one just up the road. They didn't ask what the contents were, and they are $20 cheaper than UPS.

While researching this, I found lots of misinformation - like you have to ship firearms overnight express. BS.

For my next trick, I'm thinking of selling some factory ammo I don't need on gunbroker to finance some more milsurps on my list. Fedex appears to be more difficult. ORM-D Cartridges, Small arms falls under their hazardous materials policy...all of which require you to have an approved account.
https://www.fedex.com/en-us/service-...w-to-ship.html
Full policy is here
https://www.fedex.com/content/dam/fe...ping-guide.pdf
and says you need to complete a training with them.
UPS seems much easier.
https://www.ups.com/us/en/help-cente...mmunition.page
Doesn't look like you need a special account or training...just follow the rules with the fancy diamond label, outer box + inner box, and drop off at a staffed distribution center or a scheduled pickup - no UPS store.

It seems Cartridges, Small arms ORM-D has simpler restrictions under federal regulations in 49 C.F.R. (Hazardous Materials) than other items like primers and powder. It seems UPS differentiates between these, but FedEx treats anything in 49 CFR the same with the same training requirement.

I have excess primers I may sell too, which is different. I may call FedEx or UPS to see if there is a cost with training and if it's worth the trouble.

If I'm wrong on anything above, a rebuttal with more info is welcome. Please cite actual shipper (UPS or FedEx, etc.) policies or quotes from 49 C.F.R, and not just all the hearsay and internet lawyers spewing filth and unsupported info across the web.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[capt14k]

Ammo does not fall under hazardous materials neither does primed brass for FedEx or UPS. Primers and powder by themselves do. Ammo is an exception and is limited quantity.

[ssgross]

Ammo does not fall under hazardous materials neither does primed brass for FedEx or UPS. Primers and powder by themselves do. Ammo is an exception and is limited quantity.

FedEx, page 1 paragraph 2
"Training is mandatory for those shipping hazardous materials, including limited quantity, ORM-D and other exceptions."
page 4 lists "FedEx Ground Acceptable Hazardous Materials", and clearly at the bottom of the list is cartridges, small arms limited quantity.
49CFR is title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, which includes regulations for ammo. Ammo DOES indeed fall under regulated hazardous materials.
Exception is not the same as exemption. This was my point. UPS carves out for the exception in their shipping policy. FedEx does not.

[usabaker]

You can ship firearms via the US MAIL and it is cheaper than UPS or FedEx. Long guns and Shotguns have no restriction (unless "concealable" ), Handguns can be mailed as well if the conditions fall within the rules they have listed.

https://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c4_009.htm

[capt14k]

FedEx, page 1 paragraph 2
"Training is mandatory for those shipping hazardous materials, including limited quantity, ORM-D and other exceptions."
page 4 lists "FedEx Ground Acceptable Hazardous Materials", and clearly at the bottom of the list is cartridges, small arms limited quantity.
49CFR is title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, which includes regulations for ammo. Ammo DOES indeed fall under regulated hazardous materials.
Exception is not the same as exemption. This was my point. UPS carves out for the exception in their shipping policy. FedEx does not.

Have to read further down

[ssgross]

US MAIL and it is cheaper than UPS or FedEx

That is is the usual assumption, but in this case...I just looked up USPS.
10 lbs, 47x6.75x4
Priority Express 1 day: $107.20
Priority 2 day: $40
Ground: 36.20, but no click n ship. I'd have to go to the post office.
Yesterday when I printed the label, Fedex was $32. UPS wanted $40 (extra charge for 1 time pickup and signature confirmation).

Quality of service not included in the above prices...I would not trust a firearm to USPS after several Christmas gifts arriving arriving a month late after shipping almost 2 months early.

---------- Post added at 11:17 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:07 AM ----------

Have to read further down

Where did it say Cartridges, "Small Arms are not a hazardous material and so are exempt from restrictions herein"? It doesn't. The regulation specifies how they should be packed and labeled, and additional criteria/regulation for shipping by air, and that cartridges, small arms is a different classification with different rules than explosives like primers and powder. Again, exception not exemption.
This isn't the point. My point was that FedEx applies the regulation in their policy differently than UPS - and of course USPS doesn't allow any of it, at all.

[usabaker]

Quality of service not included in the above prices...I would not trust a firearm to USPS after several Christmas gifts arriving a month late after shipping almost 2 months early.

Yes, this is true! I had a 2 Day Priority take 15 days

[Gil Boyd]

You guys want to try BREXIT rules dealing with Europe on weapons and parts after 1/1/21

We shall overcome..............and one day they will all seek an out of that bureaucratic nightmare

[capt14k]

That is is the usual assumption, but in this case...I just looked up USPS.
10 lbs, 47x6.75x4
Priority Express 1 day: $107.20
Priority 2 day: $40
Ground: 36.20, but no click n ship. I'd have to go to the post office.
Yesterday when I printed the label, Fedex was $32. UPS wanted $40 (extra charge for 1 time pickup and signature confirmation).

Quality of service not included in the above prices...I would not trust a firearm to USPS after several Christmas gifts arriving arriving a month late after shipping almost 2 months early.

---------- Post added at 11:17 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:07 AM ----------


Where did it say Cartridges, "Small Arms are not a hazardous material and so are exempt from restrictions herein"? It doesn't. The regulation specifies how they should be packed and labeled, and additional criteria/regulation for shipping by air, and that cartridges, small arms is a different classification with different rules than explosives like primers and powder. Again, exception not exemption.
This isn't the point. My point was that FedEx applies the regulation in their policy differently than UPS - and of course USPS doesn't allow any of it, at all.

Actually it says it small arms cartridges can even be shipped by aircraft. I screen shotted the wrong section but prior to that it also states how small arms ammunition can be shipped as limited quantities via ground.

I can assure you FedEx allows the shipping of ammunition and primed cases. Primers and Black Powder they will also ship but you need the proper certifications and that is federal law.

USPS does not allow the shipping of Ammo and Handguns can only be shipped by licensed FFL dealers, manufacturers, military, police, museums, and maybe a couple others, but not by unlicensed individuals or collectors.

UPS and FedEx handguns are supposed to ship overnight according to their rules.

All allow shipping of Longguns.

[USGI]

In my town UPS doesn't allow shipping ammo unless you are a licensed manufacturer. The exception is returning defective ammo to a manufacturer and they provide you a pickup label and the package is marked ORMD. I have to admit it's been over 10 years since I've tried shipping ammo, but doubted they would ever change the rules once they were in place. Even had a guy here on the Forum who wanted to buy a few boxes of .30 Carbine for a display. He had to settle on me sending him just the empty boxes! - Bob