UPS Distribution Center to ship rifle questions

I need to ship a rifle to CDI Precision to install a bottom metal. I have a cheap hard plastic case I intend to use.

I have 2 questions:
Does UPS require an FFL document? If so I’ll need to get a copy from CDI.
What are their requirements regarding the box/package? If I just go there with the rifle in that cheesy hard case, will they wrap it up for me? Will the cost be extra?

Thanks,

I would put it in a cardboard box that doesn't scream "this is a gun!". Never had to show any FFL docs at UPS.
Last time I shipped a gun via UPS to a manufacturer, I made arrangements for UPS to pick it up from my house.

Can you just send the stock without the rifle?

I have shipped in the plastic case before, I just had them tape it up over the handles to prevent it from busting open or similar, mine has never asked for the FFL, just wanted me to acknowledge that it was going to one.

They need the rifle to make sure it's correctly installed and that it cycles.

I would do this. You could just take case up there and have them make a box for it. Take home and pack yourself and ship later.

UPS asked what was in my package a few weeks ago when I tried to ship a 22 rifle. They would only allow it to be shipped from the distribution center.

I shipped a shotgun yesterday via USPS. No issues at all and dirt cheap compared to UPS/fedex.

this, if you insure, ups is going to ask what it is, then you have the choice to lie or tell the truth, for me its a no brainer

I will disclose that it’s rifle and I know that for shipping a rifle I have to go to UPS distribution center (hence the title of my post).

How much will it cost to have a costume box made? Not to mention that I’ll have to drive there twice. If I need to have a box, I could always order a new cheesy gun case with Amazon prime and they will ship the case in a box for $20.

I shipped mine in a box. They failed to make sure it would feed.

Yeah if you're already going to the dist center, then I wouldn't worry about disguising it. You should be fine.

Go to Academy and ask them for a box, that's what I did.

I called my local Academy and they told me no.

Had to go to the LGS, which is who I normally do business with anyway. But it was pretty far out of the way compared to Academy.

Just get some cardboard and fold it around the cheesy gun case and make your own box. Tape the heck out of it. Problem solved. Simple and cheap. That's how I shipped my gigantic pelican case w/ rifle inside. Just make sure and insure it for its true value in case of damage or stolen.

Thanks. I like the idea of making my own box....
But here's the thing. If I insure the rifle, why not just send it directly in that cheesy gun case? I mean it's insured...right?

Just wondering, when an FFL sends a rifle on your behalf through UPS, do they insure it?

Why would you have to go to the distribution center twice? Take someone with you, leave the rifle in the vehicle and take the case in to have a box made. Come back to the vehicle and put the rifle in the case then in the box.

Go to Academy or similar and purchase a cheapo (obviously it should be able to protect the gun!) case with the box. Use that to ship the rifle in. Insure it for replacement value. Take a photo of the gun inside the case before you put it in the box and make certain that you have the serial number written down somewhere handy in case it gets lost or damaged. Tape the case and box securely.

Why did I say all of this? I had an item damaged with UPS once that was adequately packaged, but it was inside a box that I had "made" from a couple of original boxes. UPS tried to claim that the item was "improperly packaged by the shipper" and refused my claim. After several attempts and pulling a couple of strings with folks I knew they finally paid me for the damaged item. But it was a painful and time consuming process.

I have found over my long lifetime that it is far easier to prevent a problem than it is to fix it after it happens. Get a proper box and do this correctly.

FWIW.

I have an internet business and do alot of shipping. Do as Creedmoor said...

Put it in a real box, take a picture of the box after packed/taped, insure it as if they'll lose it (in other words, don't scrimp the insurance because you're trying to save $10) and ship it signature required on delivery. You don't have to go any place special, any UPS store should suffice. Do that and you have nothing to worry about.

Charlie

Charlie, unless things have changed recently the UPS Stores will not accept a firearm.

The cardboard box is to prevent it from looking like a rifle case. Much less likely to get stolen if it looks less obvious.

I like what Creedmore recommended. If it wasn't professionally packed by UPS or a shipping store, I have heard horror stories as well about UPS trying to deny claims.

I have literally done what u need to. Btw, I can ship just the stock to cdi but if u send the whole rifle they will go ahead and cut your action screws and make all the final fit.

I got an old rifle box, as in the one that comes from the store, and flipped it inside out. Then I taped the crap out of it. Worked perfectly fine. I used USPS and wrote it was "machined parts." A gun is literally machined parts.

I'm sure you already know this, but that is totally against UPS guidelines and "may" be illegal (I'd have to do more research). I'd never advise anyone to do that.

I refuse to use UPS to ship firearms. They are a PIA to deal with. I always use the USPS to ship rifles or shotguns, and have never had a single issue using them.

I don't care what it costs I will NEVER ship anything USPS. I despise them with a passion!

If one of the other services asks whats in the box you say "Machined Parts."

Whenever I ship rifles I ship using USPS.

I had to send my 6.5 CM Barreled action to Manners to the stock inletted and bedded. How it was explained to me by Manners is if the rifle is going out of state it can be sent back to the same return address without the use of an FFL.

I always buy insurance for the amount of the rifle. In order to get a box I would ask at a smaller gun store around you.

I have daily pickup with FedEx.

I've never had USPS loss a Priority delivery in 12 years (knock, knock). If whoever you use has an issue with a firearm, you're kidding yourself calling it anything different, when/if you ever have to make a claim.

Charlie

Actually I didn't. Don't even know where I came up with the idea. I'll have to look into it. But in general USPS is the easiest I've experienced. Just to clarify, the regular postal service.

I didn't even have to tell USPS what was in the package when I shipped a shotgun last week. I even insured it with no questions at all. Just an entirely different experience (and price) than UPS and fedex. Better in both regards.

And to top it off, the package literally arrived the next morning even though I just used Priority Mail.

Holy cow guys!

Federal law 18 USC 922(e); 27 CFR 47831(a) requires a non-licensee to provide written notice to the common carrier (FedEx, UPS, USPS, etc.) that the package contains a firearm. Period. Not a bunch of "machined parts" or other shady description (this would make it even worse!). A violation of these provisions of the law is a federal criminal offense. And, yes, folks who haven't declared guns (lawfully owned by them) have been arrested and prosecuted.

If you don't believe that, do your own research and you'll find out.

I can't imagine why anyone would risk the chance of being prosecuted? WOW.



That is correct. It can be returned directly to you.



Only if you want to be prosecuted. Worst advice EVER. Don't do that!!

If anyone is recommending to not disclose that the box contains a firearm, please create a separate topic. It’s illegal and this thread will be deleted. Thank you.


My gun collection is growing, and I’ll be doing more and more trades and gunsmithing work on my firearms. This is why I need to figure out the best way (not necessarily the cheapest, but the easiest way) for shipping a rifle.

At this point, and after reading the replies, these are my 3 options:

Option 1:
Go to UPS distribution center, ask them to make a box for the rifle case (empty), come back to the car, put the rifle in the case and the case in the box.
Question: how much does it cost for UPS to make a box for the rifle case?

Option 2:
Use USPS or Fedex. I have read many bad feedbacks on both. Do they also make a custom box for the rifle?

Option 3:
Use my FFL. He will provide the box and pack the rifle. CDI won’t be able to ship it to me directly. So I have to go see my FFL twice. I have an LTC, so each transaction will only cost me $10 and I won’t have to go through a background check when my rifle arrives. This is the option I’ve been using so far.

Everyone likes to complain about the time they feel like one of the carriers screwed 'em, I believe they're largely all equal. If it's insured, you're covered.

I would do #3 and be done with it.

Charlie

So am I missing something or is there not a way to do this legally through USPS, UPS, FedEx?

Have it pre-boxed and labeled, ready to go, and hand it to a UPS driver...

^^^ This. Goodness, y'all are making things difficult.

If the rifle is being shipped from TX to FL (CDI), then you will need CDI's FFL to include inside the shipment. You send it to them, they send it back directly to your address, all legal like.

How you ship it is up to you. FedEx requires firearms to be shipped over night, so you will pay a heavy fee for this. And I hate FedEx. USPS is fine, they are cheaper and very slow for delivery. I ship all my ammo and firearms via UPS. I have an account and create and print my own labels online (which you can do online, also) and print the labels and tape it to the box. If it's insured for more than $1000, then you will need to print off the high value signature sheet that will print with the shipping label. This, a UPS driver (not the UPS store) will need to sign the high value sheet (which proves UPS has taken possession of in case of a loss/damage), and you can deliver it directly to any UPS driver driving around town (or wait at the UPS store when you know what time their pick up is- I do this often if the POS attendant at the UPS store won't take my ORM-D packages).

To find a box, go to any pawn shop or firearms shop, and they have plenty of them. When I ran out of shipping rifle boxes, I went to the local pawn shop and they sold me 5 of them for a cheap price.

Since you are close, bring it to me and I'll ship it for you, and create a return label that CDI can use to mail it back to you directly. Shipping rifles is actually pretty common and easy to do once you figure it out.

Thank you good information to have

Also, any rifle being sent inside of Texas (Mailed from TX address to another TX address), an FFL is NOT required. If you send a rifle out of state (from TX address to a non-TX address), the rifle must ship to an FFL. In this case, if CDI has an FFL (which I would imagine they do), you will need a copy of their FFL to include inside the shipment to be legal. The outside of the box only needs the shipping label displayed, and the FFL paperwork on the inside.

For shipping pistols, ALL pistols must go through an FFL, no matter the location.

This is in a nut shell, and there are some restrictions on certain states. But this is general for the most part for gun friendly states.

ChadTRG42, thanks for the offer. I ended up going to the Mckinney UPS distribution center and shipped the rifle today. It was very easy. There was no wait and the staff was friendly. I took the gun in that cheesy plastic gun case (it even has the shape of the gun, so it's obvious it's a gun) and told the young lady at the counter that I have a rifle to ship. She said I can just put some tape on the gun case and they could ship it like that. I said but it's obvious that it's a gun. She wasn't that concerned about it. After I asked a couple of times, she ended up making a box for it at no charge (she said it would normally cost around $2).

The total cost was $38.50 for ground and $800 insurance.

Awesome people and great experience.

The only thing I didn't like about that place was the 30.06 sign (not even sure it's valid, but it shows their intent)

Good to hear!!! I like UPS and they are very knowledgeable on shipping when it comes to firearms and ammo. They don't freak out like FedEx has.

Chad - try to go into a UPS store and ship it not as a dealer. At least around here, they WILL NOT take it. They always ask what's inside, and when you say "rifle", they always tell you to take it to the distribution center. Seriously frustrating to the point that I don't use UPS for anything unless a vendor sends me a pre-paid label that I can only use there.

where in McKinney is ups?

UPS Mckinney HUB
3000 Redbud Blvd, McKinney, TX 75069

Thanks, beats driving to Dallas

That is because UPS "stores" are franchises that are owned by individuals (similar to fast food restaurants). Therefore, UPS has made company policy that those locations cannot ship firearms due to liability reasons.

Yes, the UPS Stores are an independent store not owned by UPS. The UPS store nearest to me won't even take my pre-labeled boxes with my ORM-D stickers on them (signifying that it is ammo) if one certain lady is on shift there. They are not supposed to take these. But thank goodness I know every single UPS driver around (and they all know me, anyway) and I'll call them, meet up with them, deliver my ammo packages, and usually give them a Sprite, Coke or cold drink for their troubles. UPS and their drivers have gone out of their way over and over for me, and I am very appreciative of them and what they offer for me. I've tried to use FedEx, and it's laughable, honestly.

Gotcha. That makes sense that the UPS stores and distribution centers have different policies. Well, I understand why, but it's a stretch to say that it "makes sense".

I agree that FedEx isn't a whole lot better and they are incredibly expensive. I use USPS whenever possible.

This is pretty funny to me.
In this post, you see me struggling to figure out what’s the best way of shipping my rifle. I finally ship it and all is good….Until today…..
I receive this email from CDI precision:
“Please let us know which shipping option you would like. All of the ship quotes below include $900 ship insurance and signature required.

These are the two rates we got If we keep your rifle boxed as it came in (in the case and in a box):
$53.39 Priority Mail and is 2-3 days ship time
$55.93 via UPS ground and is 4 days ship time

Or if we ship the rifle back in just the case and no box the rates are less:
$33.45 Priority Mail and is 2-3 days ship time
$43.22 UPs Ground and is 4 days ship time”

Don’t get me wrong…. It’s very nice of them to give me all the options…. It’s just funny that they give all these options again…..This time I just told them to go with the cheapest (unless they see any risks/issues)…..Or I don’t know, I might start getting a headache again