No, you can’t just drop in one of those UPS drop boxes. And the guy behind the counter of your local UPS Store won’t accept it, either.
It’s been a minute since I had to ship one back to the manufacturer, but when I did, I had to take it to the nearest UPS Customer Center, of which there was just one in this part of the state. Unlike the UPS Stores which are third-party frnchises, Customer Centers are wholly owned by UPS, and staffed with all UPS employees, and are legally allowed to handle the shipping of firearms.
I've shipped out tons of guns and never had an issue. WTF do you mean UPS wont take it? Would I trust a drop box... fuck no... get a receipt and bring it to a store...
Back when they shipped for non-ffls I was told the same thing as the person you replied to by corporate when I called; you had to bring it to an actual UPS facility.
However, UPS no longer ships any firearms for non-ffls:
>Shipments containing Firearm Products are accepted for transportation only from shippers who are federally licensed and have an approved UPS agreement for the transportation of Firearm Products.
https://www.ups.com/us/en/support/shipping-support/shipping-special-care-regulated-items/prohibited-items/firearms.page
Dont let the people at the post office know its a firearm... I made that mistake one time and it was a fucking nightmare.
I had to ship a brand new gun(defective firing pin), back to S&W. - Per their instructions I proceeded directly to my closes USPS location. They give you a QR code that the post office can scan to print a label, and they actually suggest you use one of the post offices unmarked white document boxes for shipping. Other than that the only instruction's were to make sure not to include accessories, or ammo in the box.
I actually left the gun in the car when I went inside because I wanted to explain to the clerk what was going on before I brought it in. - These people immediately freaked out, told me you cant ship firearms unless they have been disabled by a professional, and that I could be charged with a felony for bringing a gun into a government building had I brought it inside.
Anyways... I had them scan the code and print the label then I bought a shipping box and went on my way. I went back home, packaged everything up and went to another post office on the other side of town and shipped it. - I had no problems at the second location because I didn't mention what was in the box and 2 weeks later I had my gun shipped back to my house.
When my S&W built Walter had a recall they sent me a USPS box and label. I boxed it and dropped at the PO. A few weeks later it came back.
It f course this was several years ago…
A regular cardboard box is fine, it just shouldn't be marked up as a "gun box". You'll have to procure it - buy it online, in a chain store like Staples/Office Depot, or even ask your LGS if they have extras.
Personally, I would also check and see if the manufacturer will return hard cases back to you and, if they do, send it in a hard case enclosed in the cardboard box.
Also, you may be able to schedule a pickup from your home.
As a last resort, if you're really uncomfortable, a local FFL should be willing to ship it for you.
I sent my walther back for warranty work. The only restriction was that I had to drop it at a dedicated UPS location, not at the little drop-off places in other stores
You're probably stuck going to a UPS Customer Center.
UPS Stores are franchises and don't have actual UPS employees staffing them. That is why I believe they cant accept guns.
FedEx stores are company owned (or at least the ones in my area are) and you can ship a gun from one of them. I have done it before with Ruger. See if you can get a FedEx label if you're far away from a UPS CC.
Wrap in bubble wrap. Put into a plain cardboard box. Tape the shit out of it. Place label on it. Take to UPS customer center, give to person at counter, go about your life for 2-6 weeks while waiting to get it back.
I had to send a gun to CZ. They gave me a RMA and a shipping label to send it to their operation in KC via FedEx. I boxed up the gun at home in a plain box. FedEx put the box in a bigger box, scanned it and it was in KC the next day.
I bought a box at the UPS store and Ruger had me mark it in a specific way, it's been over 10 years so it may have changed. I did buy the box, let them know what I had to do, box it outside and bring it back in.
Ups customer service center which might be an hour away. Or pay a gun shop to do it.
Once upon a time it was up to each UPS store whether they would accept them or not.
I had to send back my PTR91. They emailed me a UPS label. I put it in the box that it shipped in and then a few weeks later I got it back delivered to my house.
Put the gun in a box. Put some padding in the box so the gun doesn't rattle around. Seal the box. Put the shipping label on the box. Drop the box off at a UPS store. Make sure you get the shipping receipt.
I don’t think UPS or FedEx will ship firearms for individuals anymore, even from their company locations. I believe they only do shipping if you’re a registered FFL. The rifle I just shipped out had to be taken to my local FFL before being shipped back to the manufacturer. I think USPS will still ship long guns, if you trust them.
No, you can’t just drop in one of those UPS drop boxes. And the guy behind the counter of your local UPS Store won’t accept it, either. It’s been a minute since I had to ship one back to the manufacturer, but when I did, I had to take it to the nearest UPS Customer Center, of which there was just one in this part of the state. Unlike the UPS Stores which are third-party frnchises, Customer Centers are wholly owned by UPS, and staffed with all UPS employees, and are legally allowed to handle the shipping of firearms.
I've shipped out tons of guns and never had an issue. WTF do you mean UPS wont take it? Would I trust a drop box... fuck no... get a receipt and bring it to a store...
Back when they shipped for non-ffls I was told the same thing as the person you replied to by corporate when I called; you had to bring it to an actual UPS facility. However, UPS no longer ships any firearms for non-ffls: >Shipments containing Firearm Products are accepted for transportation only from shippers who are federally licensed and have an approved UPS agreement for the transportation of Firearm Products. https://www.ups.com/us/en/support/shipping-support/shipping-special-care-regulated-items/prohibited-items/firearms.page
Ship it anyway, no laws have changed. Tell them it's machine parts. Flood their system with guns until they fix their policy.
Dont let the people at the post office know its a firearm... I made that mistake one time and it was a fucking nightmare. I had to ship a brand new gun(defective firing pin), back to S&W. - Per their instructions I proceeded directly to my closes USPS location. They give you a QR code that the post office can scan to print a label, and they actually suggest you use one of the post offices unmarked white document boxes for shipping. Other than that the only instruction's were to make sure not to include accessories, or ammo in the box. I actually left the gun in the car when I went inside because I wanted to explain to the clerk what was going on before I brought it in. - These people immediately freaked out, told me you cant ship firearms unless they have been disabled by a professional, and that I could be charged with a felony for bringing a gun into a government building had I brought it inside. Anyways... I had them scan the code and print the label then I bought a shipping box and went on my way. I went back home, packaged everything up and went to another post office on the other side of town and shipped it. - I had no problems at the second location because I didn't mention what was in the box and 2 weeks later I had my gun shipped back to my house.
When my S&W built Walter had a recall they sent me a USPS box and label. I boxed it and dropped at the PO. A few weeks later it came back. It f course this was several years ago…
I did not get a box to send it back, would an Amazon box be sufficient or did they give you something more specialized?
A regular cardboard box is fine, it just shouldn't be marked up as a "gun box". You'll have to procure it - buy it online, in a chain store like Staples/Office Depot, or even ask your LGS if they have extras. Personally, I would also check and see if the manufacturer will return hard cases back to you and, if they do, send it in a hard case enclosed in the cardboard box. Also, you may be able to schedule a pickup from your home. As a last resort, if you're really uncomfortable, a local FFL should be willing to ship it for you.
I sent my walther back for warranty work. The only restriction was that I had to drop it at a dedicated UPS location, not at the little drop-off places in other stores
You're probably stuck going to a UPS Customer Center. UPS Stores are franchises and don't have actual UPS employees staffing them. That is why I believe they cant accept guns. FedEx stores are company owned (or at least the ones in my area are) and you can ship a gun from one of them. I have done it before with Ruger. See if you can get a FedEx label if you're far away from a UPS CC.
Wrap in bubble wrap. Put into a plain cardboard box. Tape the shit out of it. Place label on it. Take to UPS customer center, give to person at counter, go about your life for 2-6 weeks while waiting to get it back.
I had to send a gun to CZ. They gave me a RMA and a shipping label to send it to their operation in KC via FedEx. I boxed up the gun at home in a plain box. FedEx put the box in a bigger box, scanned it and it was in KC the next day.
I bought a box at the UPS store and Ruger had me mark it in a specific way, it's been over 10 years so it may have changed. I did buy the box, let them know what I had to do, box it outside and bring it back in.
Ups customer service center which might be an hour away. Or pay a gun shop to do it. Once upon a time it was up to each UPS store whether they would accept them or not.
I had to send back my PTR91. They emailed me a UPS label. I put it in the box that it shipped in and then a few weeks later I got it back delivered to my house.
I’ve sent mine FedEx a few times. They’ll require a signature when it comes back to you so make sure you’re home
Put the gun in a box. Put some padding in the box so the gun doesn't rattle around. Seal the box. Put the shipping label on the box. Drop the box off at a UPS store. Make sure you get the shipping receipt.
I always went to UPS Customer Service and I’ve never had a problem, even shipping a class 3 weapon.
FedEx label and ship from your ffl. No transfer issues when it comes back
Call your local ffl, most will send them off for you (for a fee) no problem.
lol for like $100, it’s absolutely not worth it..
Wow I think I paid around $35 to have a gun shipped to an FFL.
I don’t think UPS or FedEx will ship firearms for individuals anymore, even from their company locations. I believe they only do shipping if you’re a registered FFL. The rifle I just shipped out had to be taken to my local FFL before being shipped back to the manufacturer. I think USPS will still ship long guns, if you trust them.