Shipping UPS

J

jlb43

New member
For what it is worth, I just got off the phone with some supervisor at UPS regarding shipping a black powder replica revolver from private residence to private residence. He said emphatically that UPS forbids such shipments. He said they have arrangements with companies such as Bass Pro etc. and the manufacturers to ship these items but unlicensed private parties cannot use UPS unless they are returning a gun to the manufacturer or company. What the ATF says does not concern UPS, this is their rule.

I don't know if he knows what he is talking about but he did not waiver. :confused::confused::confused:
 
It's nonsense. Typical industrial ignorance. Ignore Idiots. Why in the world would you call them to begin with? Pack your box, pay your shipping charge, keep your mouth shut, and forget it. What's the worst they can do?


Willie

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He said they have arrangements with companies such as Bass Pro etc. and the manufacturers to ship these items but unlicensed private parties cannot use UPS unless they are returning a gun to the manufacturer or company.
Click to expand...

What kind of license did he say is required? I have a driver's license.. ;)
 
Don H is right on, this matter.A black powder gun is not listed
under law as a fire arm.I have sent more than one by UPS.The
guy does not know the law.

UPS says NO FIRE ARM, any a black powder gun under law
is not a fire arm.Why even ask, just send it,Dang!

Tatar:D
 
Not to be argumentative but....

UPS (as far as I know) is not bound by the federal definition of the word "firearm" nor are they required to abide by the policies of the USPS. I guess I am saying, they get to decide what is a fire arm and what is not.

Tatar, If you shipped a BP replica via UPS with their full knowledge that it was a BP replica, then we have two different UPS folks who have two different understandings of UPS policy.

Please understand, I am not disagreeing with the possibility that the UPS wheeny was an ignoramus. Perhaps he is and also perhaps he does not understand UPS policy.


As for the word "License" there are hundreds of corporations which issue licenses for this or that and I think it is completely believable that UPS would have licensing agreements with shippers including licenses which cover the shipment of firearms (Their definition).

It is for this reason that I don't argue with them, I just don't use them to ship anything, I say again, ANYTHING.

USPS flat rate boxes are IMNSHO the best way to ship black power replica revolvers.
 
For a number of years I shipped C&B revolvers via UPS without any hassle from the local UPS store. When their prices went up, I switched to the Post Office for all my shipping. Flat rate Priority mailer & insured generally costs under $20.00 depending on insurance amount. A Navy Arms L&R in the box will ship Priority for $15.20, insured for $275 with electronic return receipt. And it'll get to the destination in 2 days.
 
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Doc Hoy said:
UPS (as far as I know) is not bound by the federal definition of the word "firearm" nor are they required to abide by the policies of the USPS. I guess I am saying, they get to decide what is a fire arm and what is not.
Click to expand...

From the UPS link I posted above:
UPS accepts packages containing firearms (as defined by Title 18, Chapter 44, and Title 26, Chapter 53 of the United States Code) for transportation...
Click to expand...
Handguns, as defined by 18 U.S.C. § 921, will be accepted for transportation...
Click to expand...
 
All I know is what I know. Nowhere can I find anything, in writing or otherwise, from UPS or FedEx that actually says they will accept a black powder replica REVOLVER for shipment from any unlicensed (FFL) person to another unlicensed (FFL) person. Simply citeing the ATF regulations does not change that and if you read the UPS rules you will not see REPLICA mentioned anywhere I can see. This dude told me that if it uses an explosion to propel a projectile then as far as UPS is concerned it is a firearm and if it is a handgun then the reciever has to be an FFL. Just because the ATF does not consider replicas to be firearms does not mean UPS cannot refuse to treat them as firearms. They make THEIR policies according to THEIR legal eagles and that is the name of that tune. I personally don't care who chooses to ignore this and uses UPS to ship from one person to another. I can tell you that UPS does check packages from time to time mainly for illegal drugs. I for one, am not going to be the one who gets accidently snared by some over zealous employee looking to make brownie points. As to what are they going to do about it?, I will not be the one to find out. I have better things to occupy my time than getting into a ******* match with UPS. What anyone else does is their business. I wish you well.

I checked with the post office and their regulations specifically say you CAN use them to mail replicas of antique guns that use black powder. Needless to say that is who I will be using from now on.
 
It depends on the people working there. Here the Postmaster refuses to accept bp guns. UPS is only open one hour a day and the one in the next town refuses to ship guns unless you have an FFL. Fedex wants 116.00 to overnight or they won't ship. Local gunshop charges 25.00 and ships it through UPS.
 
DonH

Good job.

Your post enlightens us as to how the UPS defines the word "Firearm". They choose (we assume universally and consistently) to define it as the government does.

My point was that (while I did not know which was true) they could either simply accept the government's definition, or choose to define "firearm" in a more restrictive way as we were told by the OP that one of their underinformed representatives did.

Your information also confirms which of the UPS people were in the wrong.

A representative who refuses to accept a BP replica for shipment on the strength of the argument that if is a "firearm" under federal law is misinformed and not acting in acordance with thpolicy established by UPS. As we all know and as several have testified, it may be of no assistance to point this out to the representative if that person is convinced they are right.

This is why I go to the post office and use a flat rate box. The post office wheeny nevers asks what the item is, they ask what is isn't. Since BP replicas are never among the things the skirt asks about, I ship with impunity.

Dozens of times and never more than 11.00 including a Walker.
 
Using my local FFL pawn shop is a good idea. I will see if he is agreeable. You may have seen this before so I apoligize for repeating but these paragraphs from the USPS regulations make it pretty clear that you can legally use the post office for bp handguns.

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

11.1 Pistols, Revolvers, and Other Concealable Firearms

11.1.1 Definitions

g. Antique firearm means any firearm (including those with a matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap, or similar type of ignition system) manufactured in or before 1898, or any replica thereof, if such replica:

1. Is not designed or redesigned for using rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition.

2. Uses rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition that is no longer manufactured in the United States and that is not readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade.

11.2 Antique Firearms

Antique firearms sent as curios or museum pieces may be accepted for mailing without regard to 11.1.3 through 11.1.6.
 
Boy.. I can see why people have problems: They make up problems where none exist.

If you KNOW it's legal to mail something, MAIL IT.

If you KNOW it's legal to ships something UPS, SHIP IT.

If you are in compliance with UPS Policy... ship and don't sweat it.

If you are NOT in compliance with UPS policy, there is NOTHING that they can do to you... there are no "UPS Police"... :o What are they going to do? Pitch a fit?


When you ship BP stuff, keep your mouth shut and hand over the box. NOBODY needs to know what is in the box. They do not ask... don't tell! They don't X-ray the stuff... just send it. I received two BP replicas *yesterday*. One was sent UPS and one was sent USPS. No hassle to shipper or recipient.

Why cause yourself a problem when none exists? Try not talking... :rolleyes:


Willie


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According to UPS's tarriffs and terms of service, the company defines firearms in accordance with Title 18 Chapter 44, just like the Post Office does. There aren't any special rules for black powder guns, just like with the Post Office.

But, just like the Post Office, you have to get past the "gatekeeper" who may not understand the rules. I went through something similar at the Post Office when nobody, not even the postmaster, had a clear handle on how to ship a firearm. Fortunately, they were willing to learn and review the regulations with me, so it worked out.

My advice? Ship your black powder revolver with UPS if you want. Personally, I'd go with USPS because Priority Mail is faster, cheaper and extremely reliable.

Here is a link to the relevant rules: http://www.ups.com/media/en/terms_service_us.pdf
 
you can ship a firearm directly through the UPS main office in your area, smaller UPS stores can not accept 3rd party transfers though due to ups being afraid their employees will steal the package like they had been caught doing years ago.
 
Another vote for the

USPS flat rate box. Print the label and pay for it online. It's cheaper than paying for it at the counter.
 
I've shipped every kind of muzzle loader by UPS and Fedex.
Fedex clearly told me that muzzle loaders are classified as "non-firearm weapons" which allows them to be shipped through most every local Fedex store.
They also told me to call the local store first to verify that it's okay with them which I've done.
Depending on which UPS clerk is working, they'll check the rules or call about anything questionable that's being shipped to determine its eligibility first and I've never had a muzzle loader rejected from a full UPS customer service center which is where the truck terminal is located.
UPS asks the shipper to declare the contents of the package while Fedex doesn't. But the same rules basically apply and that is that they are non-firearm weapons.
I've been through the same routine with nearly every local postal clerk too and so now most of them are aware of the rules about shipping them.
When there's a new clerk they will sometimes need to be instructed. But maybe the folks at the UPS national info. line are hit and miss when it comes to giving out the correct info..
The Fedex and the USPS info. line people are usually pretty accurate.
 
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