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.

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