UPS shipping protocol for handguns?
So I have two handguns that need to get shipped back to the manufacturers for fitting and repair. I've been through the UPS website and the handgun shipping policy is not clear to me. Has anyone been down this road before? Do I have to notify UPS about whats in the box? The other thing is that it says I have to go to a "customer service center" and not just a UPS hub. help please?!?
Is this warranty work? If so tell the mfg you want them to issue a call tag. Otherwise you must ship next day air at great expense in order to keep the employees of UPS from stealing your guns. You can ship ground, just don't tell them what's in it. Your problem will be if it get lost or stolen you will not have any recourse. If you are sending it back to the mfg, they may open and inspect the contents. Your other option would be to enlist a FFL to ship them USPS priority mail.
Sig generated a UPS label for me. I need to send something back to Kimber as well but they didn't generate a label for me. I think they have to determine if it'll be warranty work or not. The UPS site says I have to notify them that I'm shipping a handgun and that I can only do it in certain places. How have you guys shipped back to the manufacturer for warranty and maintenance work before?
ETA –– maybe im in the wrong forum??
Well it's different for me as I'm a FFL and can ship USPS. Most times though on warranty work a cal tag is what I demand. With Kimber send a copy of what the shipping cost and make them refund the cost if it's determined to be their responsibility.
The biggest thing with UPS is that you must have a truck pickup or go to a UPS run "Customer Center" NOT a storefront shop.
Notifying them is a condition of carriage, and if you make an insurance claim it WILL be denied if you did not declare.
Sadly UPS has a policy which allows them to dictate how the firearm (handgun) is shipped. It depends on who you deal with at the counter and if they are familiar with their own policy or not.
I personally have shipped two pistols via UPS, and had no problems. You have to have proof that it is going to a FFL or MFG (which is easy, print out the contact information from the place your shipping to and bring it with you to prove you are sending it to a valid location that can accept firearms.) Again it depends on the people you deal with. I would call ahead and notify them what you are doing and ask them 'what their procedure is' if they give you problems, better find somewhere else to go.
I also found it to be cheaper in my area just to let local FFL transfer for me (cheaper) than deal with UPS directly. I was selling so I didn't need it back, but they can generally ship it much cheaper than you can as an individual.
As others have said, call and ask for a call tag first. Then try to send it yourself. $60ish dollars sucks.
I've called and asked nicely twice now. They won't print me one. I'll give UPS a buzz and find out what the deal is. Thanks guys.
