Successfully ship using USPS?

saurkraut · 03-21-2011, 02:58 PM

Hi,

Anybody use the USPS to ship a Luger.

I have health issues and want to get it to my brother on the East coast.

Thanks

Karl

jonnyc · 03-21-2011, 03:09 PM

You can only ship a handgun via the USPS if both shipper and receiver are 01FFLs. A non-FFL can ship a handgun via UPS and Fedex if the receiver has an 01 or 03FFL, and the 03 only in the case of shipping a C&R handgun. If you and/or your brother are not FFL holders you must use the services of a friendly 01FFL.

hgreer2 · 03-21-2011, 04:50 PM

I may be wrong, but it's my understanding you can ship a gun to a family member as long as your not selling it to him. I have used UPS with no problems.

Harry

hansfischer007 · 03-21-2011, 06:58 PM

Ive shipped my 1918 DWM a couple of times....both to have some work done on it and when I had the 1918 date reingraved back on.....shipped it by FEDEX....just broke it down......marked "Gun Parts" on form....and never had any problems .....plus you can ship "Next Day" and know it will definitely get there.......Ive go an Internet business selling Militaria and over the years...a couple of times (mainly Canada shipping...which takes a long time)...a customer will write complaining they havent received item as yet....I have gone to my local post office and tried to trace it....and I get just the old Blank stare.......they always say the customer has to trace it....so my $0.02 is to use FEDEX as you KNOW it will get there.....and its amazing how fast it moves too..........Hans Fischer

sheepherder · 03-21-2011, 07:13 PM

The US Air Force uses the Postal Service to ship all our M9 [Beretta] pistols to our local air base. They come in via Registered Mail. Both handguns and rifles being sent back for survey or repair go out the same way.

I won't use FedEx because they require a signature. I'm at work all day/week and the only FedEx terminal is at Buffalo airport...a two hour drive [round trip] from me...I'll refuse delivery before I'll waste twenty dollars of gas to pick up a parcel I already paid shipping on...

Ron Smith · 03-21-2011, 07:21 PM

"I have gone to my local post office and tried to trace it....and I get just the old Blank stare.......they always say the customer has to trace it."

Boy, I dunno. If that happened to me I would ask to speak with a supervisor. They will hand you a tediously long tracer form to fill out, but I guess most people just look at it and say never mind.

Since Canada Post was privatized, it has slowed down to nearly stopping at times. I've talked with Canadians who call it "Canada Post and Storage".

hgreer2 · 03-21-2011, 07:32 PM

The PO will give you a tracking number, but it is worthless. They never keep it up to date. Fedex is the best, you know where you shipment is at all times. UPS is pretty good too about keeping you up to date on your shipment.

Harry

Ron Smith · 03-21-2011, 08:15 PM

USPS offers a "Delivery Confirmation" number, not a tracking number. It Confirms Delivery. Tracking numbers are only available with Express and Registered mail.

hgreer2 · 03-21-2011, 08:35 PM

I beg to differ, they will give you a tracking number with priority mail, but it is worthless.

Harry

Ron Smith · 03-21-2011, 08:36 PM

Differ all you want to Harry. You are incorrect, it's not a tracking number. It's called a Delivery Confirmation number. And it's offered at an additional charge. Insurance is offered also, but Insurance numbers are not accessable to the public and are not used for tracking. Priority mail is not numbered in any form unless requested.

mrerick · 03-21-2011, 08:44 PM

Don't Certified and Registered mail provide a tracking number?

Marc

Ron Smith · 03-21-2011, 08:53 PM

Certified mail provides certification of delivery. It requires a signature, and address of delivery at the time of delivery. You can request and will receive a photo copy of the signature of the person who signed for it. You can also add a Return Receipt at the time of mailing. It is returned to you with the Signature and address of the recipient.

Registered mail has a tracking number, and is accounted for at every weigh-point. Each time it changes hands it is signed over to, and signed for, by every employee who assumes responsibility for it.

ron

John Sabato · 03-21-2011, 09:30 PM

Quote:

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I may be wrong, but it's my understanding you can ship a gun to a family member as long as your not selling it to him.

WRONG... shipping a firearm to anyone (Including family members) except a bona-fide C&R or FFL license holder will get you tossed in the pokey...and the firearm probably will be confiscated if you get caught... if you have gotten away with it before, count yourself lucky. Sending if off for repair or customization is legal ONLY if the recipient is a license holder.

I alway use FEDEX, and to make theft unlikely, I ship only the registered part in one box, and the remaining parts separately (They can be shipped via USPS). I have never had a Priority Mail package lost... Delivery confirmation does cost more if you do it at the post office. If you buy your mailing label online at USPS.com, there is no additional charge for delivery confirmation

lugerholsterrepair · 03-21-2011, 10:43 PM

The USPO is ever changing..I have a good Friend who is a Post Master..Recently they have realized the shortcomings of delivery confirmation and have mandated that if a pkg goes thru your hands you should scan it. This makes the delivery confirmation a little handyier..You MAY get to track it here and there. It cannot be tracked unless it IS scanned. Before the recent change it was only scanned apon delivery. Now it is scanned apon pickup too..might be scanned elsewhere giving you a chance to see it on it's way.
I use the USPO almost exclusively for several reasons..in 12 years they have NEVER lost one of my packages. They have been misplaced but they always show up sooner or later and delivery confirmation HAS helped me find several. And I ship a LOT of packages.
Secondly I believe we need to support the USPO ..we sure as heck don't want them to disappear. They do a great job in my opinion and there are Post Offices in almost all small towns. Think about it..how would you like your local PO to shut down? Support them..they are good and need it. To hell with fed ex ...and NEVER put GUN anything on a pkg. Thieves see that as STEAL ME!
Same with insurance too..just a red flag to draw attention.

Registered mail has a tracking number, and is accounted for at every weigh-point. Each time it changes hands it is signed over to, and signed for, by every employee who assumes responsibility for it.

You want something to get there? Registered mail is the absolute best. Only trouble with it I have seen..it's slower because it has to be signed for and locked up.

Edward Tinker · 03-22-2011, 01:45 AM

Read the regulations...

http://www.atf.gov/publications/down...f-p-5300-4.pdf

Quote:

§ 478.29 Out-of-State acquisition of firearms by nonlicensees.
No person, other than a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector, shall transport into or receive in the State where the
person resides (or if a corporation or other business entity, where it maintains a place of business) any firearm purchased or otherwise obtained by such person outside that State: Provided, That the provisions of this section:
(a) Shall not preclude any person who lawfully acquires a firearm by bequest or intestate succession in a State other than his State of residence from transporting the firearm into or receiving it in that State, if it is lawful for such person to purchase or possess such firearm in that State,
(b) Shall not apply to the transportation or receipt of a rifle or shotgun obtained from a licensed manufacturer, licensed importer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector
in a State other than the transferee's State of residence in an over-the-counter transaction at the licensee's premises obtained in conformity with the provisions of § 478.96(c) and
(c) Shall not apply to the transportation or receipt of a firearm obtained in conformity with the provisions of §§ 478.30 and 478.97

AND

§ 478.30 Out-of-State disposition of firearms by nonlicensees.
No nonlicensee shall transfer, sell, trade, give, transport, or deliver any firearm to any other nonlicensee, who the transferor knows or has reasonable cause to believe does not reside in (or if the person is a corporation or other business
entity, does not maintain a place of business in) the State in which the transferor resides: Provided, That the provisions of this section:
(a) shall not apply to the transfer, transportation, or delivery of a firearm made to carry out a bequest of a firearm to, or any acquisition by intestate succession of a firearm by, a person who is permitted to acquire or possess a firearm under the laws of the State of his residence;
and
(b) shall not apply to the loan or rental of a firearm to any person for temporary use for lawful sporting purposes.

For this, I would still send via an FFL, if you carried it in your vehicle, it would be totally legal, note, that this can be interpreted to mean that it can legally be received, does that mean shipped?

hgreer2 · 03-22-2011, 01:15 PM

So, if I own a gun that has gone through the paperwork at an FFL dealer, I can send the gun to a restorer that has an FFL license, no problem. Now after the gun has been restored, he has to send it back to my FFL dealer again and not straight to me, is that what you're saying.

Harry

Edward Tinker · 03-22-2011, 02:12 PM

That is a different part of the regulations and a different question than above.

You can send a gun to a restorer (in most states) and it be sent back to you.

You can down load the reg and do searches...

saurkraut · 03-24-2011, 10:58 PM

Roadtrip

jonnyc · 03-25-2011, 05:06 AM

That's definitely the most fun way!
Now, make sure you check all the different state laws on your route!

Hugh · 03-25-2011, 03:08 PM

Get a C&R license, then any gun on the list or any gun over 50 yrs old can be sent to you without going thru a FFL dealer. It has saved me a lot of money!

The only problem is when you renew it don't answer the question "how many guns have you sold & purchased on your license in the past 5 yrs" with "50"!!!!

Since the "gun trafficking" problem has reared its ugly head, that creates a "red flag" and they will inspect you!

The last time I renewed my license, I made that mistake and got a visit from my local BATF agent.

I was lucky that he was a young super nice guy.

I asked him why the audit, and he said the number of guns transferred raised a red flag and a visit.

He said that his office (in Houston) had never audited a C&R licensee before, and they weren't even sure how to go about it!

So we sat down and checked off all the guns I had recorded as "received" to be sure that I had the guns in my possession.

I explained to him that my collecting had taken a change in direction, and he could see in my book that most of the guns sold were Lugers and the ones bought were Colt SAA's.

That satisfied him that I wasn't a "strawman" or "dealing in firearms" and everything was cool.

03-21-2011, 02:58 PM	#1
saurkraut User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Successfully ship using USPS? Hi, Anybody use the USPS to ship a Luger. I have health issues and want to get it to my brother on the East coast. Thanks Karl

03-21-2011, 06:58 PM	#4
hansfischer007 User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Sunny Tennessee Posts: 233 Thanks: 509 Thanked 96 Times in 48 Posts	Shipping a Luger Ive shipped my 1918 DWM a couple of times....both to have some work done on it and when I had the 1918 date reingraved back on.....shipped it by FEDEX....just broke it down......marked "Gun Parts" on form....and never had any problems .....plus you can ship "Next Day" and know it will definitely get there.......Ive go an Internet business selling Militaria and over the years...a couple of times (mainly Canada shipping...which takes a long time)...a customer will write complaining they havent received item as yet....I have gone to my local post office and tried to trace it....and I get just the old Blank stare.......they always say the customer has to trace it....so my $0.02 is to use FEDEX as you KNOW it will get there.....and its amazing how fast it moves too..........Hans Fischer

03-21-2011, 07:13 PM	#5
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,182 Thanks: 1,400 Thanked 4,441 Times in 2,329 Posts	The US Air Force uses the Postal Service to ship all our M9 [Beretta] pistols to our local air base. They come in via Registered Mail. Both handguns and rifles being sent back for survey or repair go out the same way. I won't use FedEx because they require a signature. I'm at work all day/week and the only FedEx terminal is at Buffalo airport...a two hour drive [round trip] from me...I'll refuse delivery before I'll waste twenty dollars of gas to pick up a parcel I already paid shipping on... __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

03-21-2011, 07:21 PM	#6
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	"I have gone to my local post office and tried to trace it....and I get just the old Blank stare.......they always say the customer has to trace it." Boy, I dunno. If that happened to me I would ask to speak with a supervisor. They will hand you a tediously long tracer form to fill out, but I guess most people just look at it and say never mind. Since Canada Post was privatized, it has slowed down to nearly stopping at times. I've talked with Canadians who call it "Canada Post and Storage". __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

03-21-2011, 08:15 PM	#8
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	USPS offers a "Delivery Confirmation" number, not a tracking number. It Confirms Delivery. Tracking numbers are only available with Express and Registered mail. __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

03-21-2011, 03:09 PM	#2
jonnyc User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 425 Thanks: 2 Thanked 46 Times in 34 Posts	You can only ship a handgun via the USPS if both shipper and receiver are 01FFLs. A non-FFL can ship a handgun via UPS and Fedex if the receiver has an 01 or 03FFL, and the 03 only in the case of shipping a C&R handgun. If you and/or your brother are not FFL holders you must use the services of a friendly 01FFL.

03-21-2011, 04:50 PM	#3
hgreer2 Banned Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 309 Thanks: 1 Thanked 29 Times in 20 Posts	I may be wrong, but it's my understanding you can ship a gun to a family member as long as your not selling it to him. I have used UPS with no problems. Harry

03-21-2011, 07:32 PM	#7
hgreer2 Banned Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 309 Thanks: 1 Thanked 29 Times in 20 Posts	The PO will give you a tracking number, but it is worthless. They never keep it up to date. Fedex is the best, you know where you shipment is at all times. UPS is pretty good too about keeping you up to date on your shipment. Harry

03-21-2011, 08:35 PM	#9
hgreer2 Banned Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 309 Thanks: 1 Thanked 29 Times in 20 Posts	I beg to differ, they will give you a tracking number with priority mail, but it is worthless. Harry

03-21-2011, 08:36 PM	#10
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Differ all you want to Harry. You are incorrect, it's not a tracking number. It's called a Delivery Confirmation number. And it's offered at an additional charge. Insurance is offered also, but Insurance numbers are not accessable to the public and are not used for tracking. Priority mail is not numbered in any form unless requested. __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

03-21-2011, 08:44 PM	#11
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,907 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,108 Times in 1,509 Posts	Don't Certified and Registered mail provide a tracking number? Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

03-21-2011, 08:53 PM	#12
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Certified mail provides certification of delivery. It requires a signature, and address of delivery at the time of delivery. You can request and will receive a photo copy of the signature of the person who signed for it. You can also add a Return Receipt at the time of mailing. It is returned to you with the Signature and address of the recipient. Registered mail has a tracking number, and is accounted for at every weigh-point. Each time it changes hands it is signed over to, and signed for, by every employee who assumes responsibility for it. ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

03-21-2011, 10:43 PM	#14
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,766 Thanks: 4,891 Thanked 3,121 Times in 1,432 Posts	The USPO is ever changing..I have a good Friend who is a Post Master..Recently they have realized the shortcomings of delivery confirmation and have mandated that if a pkg goes thru your hands you should scan it. This makes the delivery confirmation a little handyier..You MAY get to track it here and there. It cannot be tracked unless it IS scanned. Before the recent change it was only scanned apon delivery. Now it is scanned apon pickup too..might be scanned elsewhere giving you a chance to see it on it's way. I use the USPO almost exclusively for several reasons..in 12 years they have NEVER lost one of my packages. They have been misplaced but they always show up sooner or later and delivery confirmation HAS helped me find several. And I ship a LOT of packages. Secondly I believe we need to support the USPO ..we sure as heck don't want them to disappear. They do a great job in my opinion and there are Post Offices in almost all small towns. Think about it..how would you like your local PO to shut down? Support them..they are good and need it. To hell with fed ex ...and NEVER put GUN anything on a pkg. Thieves see that as STEAL ME! Same with insurance too..just a red flag to draw attention. Registered mail has a tracking number, and is accounted for at every weigh-point. Each time it changes hands it is signed over to, and signed for, by every employee who assumes responsibility for it. You want something to get there? Registered mail is the absolute best. Only trouble with it I have seen..it's slower because it has to be signed for and locked up. __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

03-22-2011, 01:15 PM	#16
hgreer2 Banned Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 309 Thanks: 1 Thanked 29 Times in 20 Posts	So, if I own a gun that has gone through the paperwork at an FFL dealer, I can send the gun to a restorer that has an FFL license, no problem. Now after the gun has been restored, he has to send it back to my FFL dealer again and not straight to me, is that what you're saying. Harry

03-22-2011, 02:12 PM	#17
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,926 Thanks: 2,014 Thanked 4,523 Times in 2,089 Posts	That is a different part of the regulations and a different question than above. You can send a gun to a restorer (in most states) and it be sent back to you. You can down load the reg and do searches... __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

03-24-2011, 10:58 PM	#18
saurkraut User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Roadtrip

03-25-2011, 05:06 AM	#19
jonnyc User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 425 Thanks: 2 Thanked 46 Times in 34 Posts	That's definitely the most fun way! Now, make sure you check all the different state laws on your route!

03-25-2011, 03:08 PM	#20
Hugh RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Southeast Texas Swamp Posts: 2,460 Thanks: 2 Thanked 165 Times in 64 Posts	Get a C&R license, then any gun on the list or any gun over 50 yrs old can be sent to you without going thru a FFL dealer. It has saved me a lot of money! The only problem is when you renew it don't answer the question "how many guns have you sold & purchased on your license in the past 5 yrs" with "50"!!!! Since the "gun trafficking" problem has reared its ugly head, that creates a "red flag" and they will inspect you! The last time I renewed my license, I made that mistake and got a visit from my local BATF agent. I was lucky that he was a young super nice guy. I asked him why the audit, and he said the number of guns transferred raised a red flag and a visit. He said that his office (in Houston) had never audited a C&R licensee before, and they weren't even sure how to go about it! So we sat down and checked off all the guns I had recorded as "received" to be sure that I had the guns in my possession. I explained to him that my collecting had taken a change in direction, and he could see in my book that most of the guns sold were Lugers and the ones bought were Colt SAA's. That satisfied him that I wasn't a "strawman" or "dealing in firearms" and everything was cool. __________________ *TRUMP FOR PREZ IN '20!*