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NOTE: Laws change over time, so what was written at one point in time may no longer be correct, so you need to read ALL of the posts and confirm that it is still correct. An example is in regards to shipping C&R firearms into CA.
All:
While the law is not perfectly clear, the Federal law seems to require written notification to the common carrier (which includes the USPS) that you are shipping a firearm. UPS and FedEx don't seem to have any process for this.
There is no law which requires overnight shipping of any firearms. UPS/FedEx have policies in regards to shipping handguns. Unless you have a large contract, you will be forced to ship a handgun overnight. Those with contracts can ship second-day air.
FedEx Express and FedEx ground are basically two separate companies. FedEx ground will not ship handguns.
In general, it is cheaper to ship a long gun FedEx ground.
Non-FFLs:
There is no Federal law which prevents a non-FFL from shipping to a FFL, but some FFLs have policies of not receiving a firearm from a non-FFL, which is their choice.
Before shipping a firearm to a "FFL", you should ensure that the person is really a FFL using the BATF ezcheck web page:
You will need the first three and last five number of the FFL's number. It is not required to ship only to the addresses listed on the FFL, but it is a good idea to ensure that it is going to the FFL and not someone else.
FFLs who do accept shipment of firearms from non-FFLs may request a copy of the shipper's ID in order to log where the firearm came from.
There is no requirement that a FFL give a copy of their FFL to a non-licensee.
Only FFLs can ship handguns USPS. Depending on the cost for the FFL to ship a handgun, it might be cheaper for a non-FFL to ship a handgun through a FFL.
USPS:
FFLs need to submit Form 1508 when shipping a handgun USPS. There is no requirement that you bring the package to the Post Office, but it is a good idea. Also, it is a good idea to retain a copy of the Form 1508. It has been reported that insurance claims have been denied if a copy of the Form 1508 is not provided. I bring two copies of Form 1508 when I ship a firearm, so I retain an original of the form, just in case.
You can get regional boxes through the USPS web site, which are not available at the local Post Office. If you compare the cost to ship Priority, Flat Rate Priority or Regional Priority you can often save money depending on the distance and the weight.
FedEx:
UPS:
NOTE: Laws change over time, so what was written at one point in time may no longer be correct, so you need to read ALL of the posts and confirm that it is still correct. An example is in regards to shipping C&R firearms into CA.
All:
While the law is not perfectly clear, the Federal law seems to require written notification to the common carrier (which includes the USPS) that you are shipping a firearm. UPS and FedEx don't seem to have any process for this.
There is no law which requires overnight shipping of any firearms. UPS/FedEx have policies in regards to shipping handguns. Unless you have a large contract, you will be forced to ship a handgun overnight. Those with contracts can ship second-day air.
FedEx Express and FedEx ground are basically two separate companies. FedEx ground will not ship handguns.
In general, it is cheaper to ship a long gun FedEx ground.
Non-FFLs:
There is no Federal law which prevents a non-FFL from shipping to a FFL, but some FFLs have policies of not receiving a firearm from a non-FFL, which is their choice.
Before shipping a firearm to a "FFL", you should ensure that the person is really a FFL using the BATF ezcheck web page:
You will need the first three and last five number of the FFL's number. It is not required to ship only to the addresses listed on the FFL, but it is a good idea to ensure that it is going to the FFL and not someone else.
FFLs who do accept shipment of firearms from non-FFLs may request a copy of the shipper's ID in order to log where the firearm came from.
There is no requirement that a FFL give a copy of their FFL to a non-licensee.
Only FFLs can ship handguns USPS. Depending on the cost for the FFL to ship a handgun, it might be cheaper for a non-FFL to ship a handgun through a FFL.
USPS:
FFLs need to submit Form 1508 when shipping a handgun USPS. There is no requirement that you bring the package to the Post Office, but it is a good idea. Also, it is a good idea to retain a copy of the Form 1508. It has been reported that insurance claims have been denied if a copy of the Form 1508 is not provided. I bring two copies of Form 1508 when I ship a firearm, so I retain an original of the form, just in case.
You can get regional boxes through the USPS web site, which are not available at the local Post Office. If you compare the cost to ship Priority, Flat Rate Priority or Regional Priority you can often save money depending on the distance and the weight.
FedEx:
UPS:
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