I was told by two shipping places today that they would not ship my upper because it was a gun. One told me it was UPS rules and another said it was FedEx rules. I argued to no avail that a upper receiver is not a firearm and was basically told to pound salt. The third place I went to, Mail Boxes Etc, shipped it for me because I told them it was machined parts when asked what it was I was shipping. Has anyone else run into this problem?
Yup. That’s why uppers are “aluminim forgings” and rails are “machined extrusions” and I just insure it for whatever it’s worth.
Thats because those workers are stupid. Even ATF considers an upper “parts”. Unless its a complete firearm, I dont tell them shit. And I ship a lot of parts and firearms…
When I ship an upper or gun, I declare it as sporting goods. If they pursue further, I say its fishing tackle. Ignorance is sometimes bliss.
You failed by telling them too much information for their own good.
You failed by telling them too much information for their own good.
Exactly!!!
Machine Parts…every time.
Just use Fedex.
I sent my Noveske Switchblock upper to “User_Name” via USPS. He received it fine from what I’m told. And I wasn’t hassled by the USPS worker. 
I always bring stuff in pre-boxed and if they ask just say parts. They dont need to know as long as its legal.
Yep, “machine parts” or “mechanical components”. Just insure it for the real value.
Assuming you are not shipping to a State or municipality where they are contraband (such as 30rd mags to CA), you are not breaking any laws shipping component parts and declaring them according to the above terms. The serialized receiver is the legally defined firearm.
I don’t even tell them machine parts.
I’ve never had anyone ask me what is in my package and I ship AR parts all the time. They don’t even ask when I insure it - just the usual question about fragile, hazardous, perishable, etc., and that’s a yes or no.
Don’t tell them anything they don’t need to know and you’ll minimize your problems.
A few years ago I did, however, have an issue with some nosy postal workers and some incoming packages, not outgoing. Postal workers assumed the items were something they were not, and long conversations with eventually apologetic LEO’s ensued. I think, though, that someone then started asking questions about the postal workers, because if I recall correctly some of them later went to jail for unrelated incidents of theft.
Unfortunately you can fix stupid. If you plan on using the services in the future you may want to consider printing out the guidelines that the companies themselves have in place. Also, printing out relevant sections of what the BATFE defines as a firearm.
In the end though it may be a loosing battle. I usually use the USPS and have never had an issue with them.
I had the same problem at the UPS store, they said you can send it through ups but not at the stores. You have to go to some other frickin place to send it. Now I use fedex or USPS.
And people would lie to them if it wasn’t legal…so hence they don’t need to know.
I typically use the technical name of the part I’m shipping. If I ship a trigger, I list it as an “FCG” (Fire Control Group). If I ship a upper receiver, I call it an “upper assembly.” That way there’s no technicalities if the item were to be damaged and insurance would take over.
The guys who know what those terms mean are typically smart enough and educated to know they aren’t illegal to ship.
I would seriously recommend not shipping it under a generic name, like “parts,” as insurance might deny your claim due to some unforeseen technicality should it be damaged in transit.
Yeah I am going to have to get more creative.
Half true, you cant ship a “firearm” from a UPS or Fedex store. Has to be a main shipping hub. A non licensed (non FFL) cant ship a “firearm” through USPS but parts are fine…
Not true.
Firearms may legally be mailed from any contract carrier, either to yourself or to an FFL. Rifles (not handguns) may also be mailed through the USPS. Be aware that some post offices will reject it if you disclose you’re mailing it (due to sheer ignorance of the law), but that doesn’t make it illegal.
The UPS Store and small FedEx stores (i.e. not main centers) have company policies restricting the mailing of firearms, but there is nothing illegal whatsoever about using them to mail firearms.
Handguns cannot be mailed through the USPS, unless it is from one FFL to another, or from government branch to government branch. They may be mailed through contract carrier (UPS, FedEx, etc). Most contract carriers require that the handguns be flown air overnight, but that’s company policy and not federal law.
When I sent my LCP to Ruger for recall processing I used the prepaid UPS mailer they sent to me. I dropped it off at a UPS store and was asked about the contents. When I hesitated the guy at the counter looked at the addressee and suggested “machined parts.” I went along.
When I later got a business PO Box from the same store, I found out that it was the owner who waited on me.
I ship personal stuff via Fedex almost everyday and no one has asked about contents. Have also shipped a number of long guns and it was no problem, save for paperwork and making sure there were no “gun word” on the shipping box.
UPS on the other hand seems to be more “in your face”, almost as if they are eager to give you a hard time.
But, the company I work for sends dozens of firearms daily w/ no problems from Fedex or UPS.
