Shipping long gun via USPS

[steelheadmike]

I'm going for an out of state hunt and would like to ship myself my rifles. This is completely legal per BATFE and the USPS. UPS and FedEx will only ship to FFLs.

The problem is that so far I can't find a USPS employee who knows their own regs. I have considered not telling them but they can legally ask to confirm that it is unloaded.

Has anyone had any luck with this?

Thanks!

[Nguyen]

do you have to inform them theres a firearm inside the package?

[farmerjoe]

I shipped a rifle back to the factory, and had it returned, in a standard hard-sided rifle case inside a large cardboard box I cut down to fit. Got it returned in the same packaging. Didn't say anything to anyone, never had anyone say anything.

[TRICKSTER]

Bring a copy of this when you go to the post office.

http://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c4_009.htm Or open a USPS account online, box it up, pay for and print up a shipping label online from home and schedule a pick-up. Then you don't have to deal with counter people that don't know their own rules.

[edgerly779]

I have shipped long guns to myself out of state several times. Goes in plain wrapped box no information on outside that says firearm Insure it and declare it and take to post office. If youwant download and print usps label and info about shipping from usps. Must be shipped to yourself in care of someone else or you must receive. Not to be opened by anyone but you. Done it to Texas, az, new mexico, Michigan and Colorado.

[axhoaxho]

Bring a copy of this when you go to the post office.

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

Or open a USPS account online, box it up, pay for and print up a shipping label online from home and schedule a pick-up. Then you don't have to deal with counter people that don't know their own rules.

Thanks for sharing.

[edgerly779]

^^ good idea I have been lucky that I never had a problem. I preprinted the label and securely boxed my longuns double wall cardboard with softcase inside.

[steelheadmike]

Bring a copy of this when you go to the post office.

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

Or open a USPS account online, box it up, pay for and print up a shipping label online from home and schedule a pick-up. Then you don't have to deal with counter people that don't know their own rules.

I would but I want to send registered mail and I have to do that in the PO. The alternative is priority express but that's $$$$

[Can'thavenuthingood]

Call out the Postmaster, each office ought have one on duty.

I ship long gun from Minnesota USPS, only question asked was "Is it loaded?"

I had it boxed and wrapped, no problems.

Vick

[Wallabing]

Seperate your ar upper and lowers and pack them in a regular square box, so employees or people on the inside dont know it's a firearm. That's how I shipped mine via UPS without incident.

[edgerly779]

I am going to send an over under 20 gauge that is a beater to my bro for my use in Texas. Sending to myself not to be opened . I will open it when I get there. Might just have transferred to him at ffl there and leave it. No one will buy it on here.

[dwalker]

I have shipped long guns to myself out of state several times. Goes in plain wrapped box no information on outside that says firearm Insure it and declare it and take to post office. If youwant download and print usps label and info about shipping from usps. Must be shipped to yourself in care of someone else or you must receive. Not to be opened by anyone but you. Done it to Texas, az, new mexico, Michigan and Colorado.

Same.

[MrOrange]

do you have to inform them theres a firearm inside the package?

Yes, you are required to both by U.S. Code and USPS rules for interstate shipment, and by USPS rules for intrastate.

As mentioned in the publication linked by TRICKSTER, firearms are what the USPS calls "Restricted Matter", so if you don't advise the Post Office that you're mailing restricted matter when they ask about any special handling/prohibited items, you're off to the races on your journey of criminal activity.

Recently I printed out and brought with me all the pertinent info from USPS publications, and still had to go to several different P.O.s, through multiple employees at each one, before I found an employee who was willing to look up their own regs and eventually let me ship a rifle.

The next time, when I went to that same place, I had to run a few laps with a different clerk who didn't understand what the "Return Service Requested" endorsement was and kept telling me it was the same as "Return Receipt Requested". I had to talk him through using the USPS operating system at his terminal, as outlined in their manual. The willful and proud ignorance of USPS employees in regards to their own regulations is absolutely mind-boggling.


Good luck with your upcoming battles, OP!

[edgerly779]

USPS are for the most part good people but with unions and civil service you get the lazy room temperature iq nummies who are often related to other usps employees or union reps.

[joemoia]

Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) 601.12.2 covers mailing of rifles and shotguns

Edit: requirements have been moved from DMM to USPS Pub 52 - Hazardous, Restricted and Perishable Mail