Yes, they ask, but not specifically. When you ship a package you have to answer a question about whether there's any hazardous materials inside. I don't know what a "yes" answer triggers because I've always been able to answer "no".
anti-gun USPS
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Recently I tried to ship a ROA by the local postal service, when I said I wanted to insure it as a Black Powder revolver, (MY Mistake) the agent pulled out a little book full of regulations and said I could only ship if I had a FFL. After a little discussion I left. Went to another post office and kept my mouth shut, it was shipped and arrived four days later at destination.
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USPS had been good for me so far except for managing to bend a 45" A wght. 40 cal. bbl. last time around. It was shipped in the usual heavy weight cardboard tube which showed the crush mark. I think most damage occurs at dist. centers not with the actual carrier. I got the hand wringing experience of straightening a 300.+ bbl. for the first time. No joy whatever.
Sorry Dude
32 Cal
When I ship something like that, I insure it and describe it as a pipe with lead weights. Why would I insure it? In case they lose it.
I’m experiencing a similar issue (maybe) with an antique un mentionable. It’s being shipped by the seller via USPS. The seller is a licensed FFL and Shipping to. Licensed FFL. The tracking has not been updated since accepting it.
Granted I’m in an area with still limited access due to Helene and things have to go around some obstacles. But the updates gives me pause.
longcruise
70 Cal.
I think the "yes" on that standard question would probably trigger a hazmat fee.
As regards FFL requirements, I've never heard of a postal reg to that effect
. Maybe there are some state laws but fed laws only require shipping to an ffl. Don't have to be an ffl to ship.
For our 15th anniversary, my wife and I got a cannon. It was shipped FedEx in a crate labeled as “Household Goods.” The delivery driver said “that’s really heavy,” and without skipping a beat, my Bride responded “we’re historic reenactors - it’s a lot of cast iron.” Had our 26th a couple of months ago…
Jay
Having once owning a Postal/USP & Fax shipping business I learned the importance of packing well & if the item is valuable ship by Priority to reduce handling & damage.
Over the past 3-4 years due to advance age & need to downsize I've shipped numerous antique firearms by USPO Priority & insured & knock on wood no damage problems with any.
Tips;
Try to find a suitable length long gun box at a gun store or buy one from a shipper, can often run $30.00 or so for a heavy duty double sleeve box.
-If shipping a long rifle in a home built cardboard box line the inside with thin wood paneling & outside edges with small dia. pvc pipe or wood trim.
Smooth off any sharp wood edges & use lots of packing tape to protect all corners & edges.
-Better yet, construct a box from thin wood paneling edged with 1"x 4" trim , put rifle in a soft case, fill interior with padding & use small sheetrock screws to seal up.
-Never throw away a Kibler rifle box
Over the past 3-4 years due to advance age & need to downsize I've shipped numerous antique firearms by USPO Priority & insured & knock on wood no damage problems with any.
Tips;
Try to find a suitable length long gun box at a gun store or buy one from a shipper, can often run $30.00 or so for a heavy duty double sleeve box.
-If shipping a long rifle in a home built cardboard box line the inside with thin wood paneling & outside edges with small dia. pvc pipe or wood trim.
Smooth off any sharp wood edges & use lots of packing tape to protect all corners & edges.
-Better yet, construct a box from thin wood paneling edged with 1"x 4" trim , put rifle in a soft case, fill interior with padding & use small sheetrock screws to seal up.
-Never throw away a Kibler rifle box
My Kibler shipping box was ripped open at one end when I received it and some of the extra items I ordered with the kit (extra jags and ramrod tips, etc) were missing. The rifle itself was still in good shape.Having once owning a Postal/USP & Fax shipping business I learned the importance of packing well & if the item is valuable ship by Priority to reduce handling & damage.
Over the past 3-4 years due to advance age & need to downsize I've shipped numerous antique firearms by USPO Priority & insured & knock on wood no damage problems with any.
Tips;
Try to find a suitable length long gun box at a gun store or buy one from a shipper, can often run $30.00 or so for a heavy duty double sleeve box.
-If shipping a long rifle in a home built cardboard box line the inside with thin wood paneling & outside edges with small dia. pvc pipe or wood trim.
Smooth off any sharp wood edges & use lots of packing tape to protect all corners & edges.
-Better yet, construct a box from thin wood paneling edged with 1"x 4" trim , put rifle in a soft case, fill interior with padding & use small sheetrock screws to seal up.
-Never throw away a Kibler rifle box
Correct. You only must declare the contents are not explosive, will leak or stink, etc. I have shipped a number of ml rifles via USPS using Click 'n Ship never a problem. Also have received two antique barrels from England with no problem. Your situation seems most peculiar.
Yes same questions I have! The OPs story to me is, He had one of the shipping stores ship the barrel.Something doesn't seem right here.
Why he didn't wrap and box then take to the USPS or get in line to print a label. Then drop it off.
I just shipped a Remington C&B repro from VA to California via USPS. Absolutely no problem whatsoever. The local P.O. was closed so my wife dropped it in the outgoing mail receptacle in the lobby, just barely fit.
Package your item with extreme care, buy the postage online and attach the label yourself. You should not write anything on the outside of the package including misleading labeling (a garden rake handle). Do not volunteer information at the P.O., only answer the question about hazardous contents, no embellishment period. It is OK to say "thank you and have a nice day".
Package your item with extreme care, buy the postage online and attach the label yourself. You should not write anything on the outside of the package including misleading labeling (a garden rake handle). Do not volunteer information at the P.O., only answer the question about hazardous contents, no embellishment period. It is OK to say "thank you and have a nice day".
longcruise
70 Cal.
I guess who would expect the shipper to do something stupid
Might be better stated, beware if shipping with a local pack and ship company. Got to wonder how the ‘local pack and ship company’ labeled the package, a possible reason for drawing scrutiny from the USPS.
Yes, got to find someone with previous experience, and knowledgeable, wrt shipping BP muzzleloaders through USPS. Always ask questions!!
I have never had a problem with UPS or USPS, sending or receiving. So far, anyway...
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Doh. You take it YOURSELF, not to some you pack place. Your fault.
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Never had a problem with USPS, ship and receive rifles (muzzleloaders) weekly for several years.
FedEx has broken one for me I received ( won't pay damages) and UPS flat out refuses to ship even a gun stock (anti gun agenda) They deliver to me but won't ship any gun related items with the exception of modern gun factory generated authorized shipping paperwork.
My local post office knows the contents when I ship it at their facility.
FedEx has broken one for me I received ( won't pay damages) and UPS flat out refuses to ship even a gun stock (anti gun agenda) They deliver to me but won't ship any gun related items with the exception of modern gun factory generated authorized shipping paperwork.
My local post office knows the contents when I ship it at their facility.
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A suggestion for shipping barrels - especially long barrels:
Shippers hate long items and round tubes in general. They tend to fall off the conveyers and have to be hand carried to their next point. And agree, damage will usually occur at the distribution centers. The heavy wall cardboard tubes are probably OK for barrels about 36" or shorter. Here is how I ship a barrel to be worked on:
Go to Lowe's or Home Depot and have them cut you an appropriate length of schedule-40 PVC pipe. Probably 2" in diameter. But measure around the widest point of the barrel to take into consideration for any sights, thimbles, etc. Might have to use 2.5" or 3" diameter in some cases. Then, purchase two matching female threaded ends and PVC glue them to both ends. Then thread PVC caps to both ends (not glued so the tube can be opened and inspected if necessary). While you're at the store, purchase a length of Air Conditioning foam line insulation to easily wrap the barrel with and slide into the PVC tube.
The PVC tube will add weight. Thus, more shipping cost. But it's virtually guaranteed to get there and back to you in one piece. Plus, it allows the gunsmith to easily unpack the barrel and re-pack the same way. Just slap a new label on it.
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