UPS change of policy

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kealil

New member
Hey all!

Just thought I'd share something interesting that happened to me today.

I recently got a RCBS bullet feeder for my new press from Cabelas. After fiddling with it for two weeks to make it feed lead bullets, I gave up. So I grabbed the prepaid shipping label for UPS out of the box and packaged the unit back up again, all ready to go. I bring it to my local UPS store, and they say they can't take it because it is firearm related.

At this point I'm really confused because I can't even recall how many dozens of firearm related returns I've performed with UPS in the past through cabelas. They then pull out an official looking notice that instructs all third party UPS stores to no longer accept , and I quote "Any items related to or concerning firearms including: Firearm parts, accessories, components, literature..." starting the first of September. The list went further but I think you got the gist of it.

In the end I had to go to the local terminal to drop off the package. Lucky for me its only about a mile away from that UPS store.

Crazy if you ask me but I guess with all the shootings lately, UPS is just trying to cover their butts in some way.

What do you guys think?
 
Just try a diff store , I got the same guff recently. Tried a diff store and they didn't even ask. Otherwise just tell them its car parts. Most ups store ppl don't know anything about guns. They wouldn't know by mfr what ur shipping.

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UPS Stores are not owned by UPS, they're owned by local owners. They can make their own rules in most cases.

I'd be hesitant to lie to the store about what you're shipping.
When you sign the shipping document you're signing a legal contract.
Lie on the form and you violate the legal contract. They will not give you a dime if the package is lost or damaged.
 
I couldn't use the UPS Store or the Shipping Store for firearm related things in the past, in GA; haven't tried yet in MO, but probably won't - the actual UPS and FedEx terminals are closer than the "stores".

I think it's probably normal for UPS shipment to require a trip to their local hub; I would not be surprised if it's the same deal with FedEx.
 
I'd be hesitant to lie to the store about what you're shipping.
When you sign the shipping document you're signing a legal contract.
Lie on the form and you violate the legal contract. They will not give you a dime if the package is lost or damaged.
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Reloading equipment items are tools. There is no need to expand upon what type of tools they are or what they are used for. Just say you are returning some tools to the manufacturer for warranty work. That is a truthful statement.


Come to think of it, guns are tools too, but that might be stretching it since they have specific rules on guns.
 
ok I understand not shipping firearm parts and firearms themselves, but Gun Books? Reloading equipment?

I have never had any trouble with UPS stores in the past for everything from gun magazines, reloading materials, and more. I just figured that the way it was before september 1st was normal
 
Non-hub UPS outlets have been off-limits for a long while now for sending firearms or live ammo, but this example is ridiculous. I know of no recent UPS policy changes.
 
Jeez, no shipping gun books? How ridiculous can they get? I understand private businesses can do whatever they want, but don't they realize the revenue they are losing by all this silly crap?
 
Yep, not surprising at all.

Earlier this year, I had a rifle stock and a barrel I was shipping to some people. Due to the packaging, UPS was the cheapest option.

My local UPS store refused the first shipment when I said it was a rifle stock. Even after I opened the package and showed them that it was nothing but a chunk of wood, they still refused it. But... the closest hub is a pain to get to, and I didn't have time. So, I went to the next closest store, told them it was a wood carving, and sent the stock on its way.

I shipped the barrel a few days later. I walked into the store that refused to ship the stock and handed them the packaging tube, and they asked what it was. "A threaded steel pipe," was my reply. The manager took it, headed for their 'outgoing' bin, and I walked toward the door. As I was opening the door, the manager asked why it was so heavy. I left them with, "Because it's 26 inches long and only has a 22 caliber hole in it." ;)

I know they were not happy with me; but I got in my truck and left, and the barrel arrived safely at its destination a few days later.

(If they had a serious problem shipping the barrel, they had the ability to look up my contact information. Plus, I had already paid for insurance. I wasn't worried about leaving the barrel there.)
 
My local UPS store never asks me what's in a package, only if I want more than the standard insurance. I suppose if you buy extra insurance perhaps you then have to declare the contents more precisely.

And I have never had to sign anything when shipping UPS, not even at a UPS hub.
 
Guns and ammo and parts get shipped through UPS all the time (I used to work there). UPS is hurting for revenue (by their standards) and I highly highly doubt they put a restriction on firearm related stuff.

What surprises me is that the stores are allowed to say stuff is prohibited but UPS still accepts it. How can independent stores regulate the company like that?

This should be brought to UPS' attention
 
The independent stores are not regulating UPS; they are imposing their own local or franchise rules.

Meanwhile, I hadn't noticed the OP's reference to literature. Thanks to others for catching that. This is new, unwelcome, and more than a bit ridiculous.
 
What surprises me is that the stores are allowed to say stuff is prohibited but UPS still accepts it. How can independent stores regulate the company like that?

This should be brought to UPS' attention
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UPS is well aware of it. The UPS Store locations are franchises, they're not corporate-owned and operated.

And, I believe the OP is stating that he was shown an official UPS policy letter, that said UPS, itself, would no longer accept firearms-related items from UPS stores.



Crazy if you ask me but I guess with all the shootings lately, UPS is just trying to cover their butts in some way.
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It's not the shootings. It's just UPS's closet anti-gun management. The only reason they ship firearms, is because they are required to by law.
Refusing firearms-related gear at UPS stores has been discussed quite a few times over the last 3-5 years. It's nothing new.
 
What law requires them to?
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I can't remember the exact subsections, but it's in 18 U.S.C. 922 and/or 18 U.S.C. 921.
When combined with Common Carrier regulations (47 U.S.C.), they cannot refuse (safe) firearms shipments. They can restrict them and force you to do stupid things like ship them Next-Day Air, but they can't refuse the shipment.
 
stevelyn said:
Machine parts is all they need to to know....
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A very bad idea.

When one fails to (1) disclose that the package contains a handgun (or a gun, if shipping FedEx); and (2) ships ground instead of overnight, he has violated the UPS or FedEx tariff. That is part of the contract of shipment. By violating the contract, the shipper lets the carrier off the hook on any insurance claim. So don't expect any coverage if your shipment is lost or damaged.
 
Maybe just give the manufacturer and model number of the item and send it back without reference to the purpose... Your not misleading, you say exactly what it is, you dont elaborate..
 
BGutzman said:
Maybe just give the manufacturer and model number of the item and send it back without reference to the purpose... Your not misleading, you say exactly what it is, you dont elaborate..
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Nope, that's not sufficient. The UPS tariff specifically requires that the shipper verbally notify the agent that the item shipped is an unloaded handgun, if it is.

The FedEx tariff requires verbal notification if it's any firearm.

There's really nothing to be gained by being cute.
 
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