I have to tell you guys about my UPS experience today.  I had a gun part that was defective.  I spoke with the company and they said send it back and they would replace it.  I take it to UPS and tell them it is a gun part.  The woman at the counter tells me UPS will not ship any gun part.  I told her it was just a little piece of metal and was no different than a metal car part.  She told me I could ship numerous gun parts to someone and they could make a gun.  I said if I did that with the wrong person it would be a federal offense.  She responded by saying "UPS is not a federal company".  I think I'm speaking to a genious at this point.  I tell her companies always ship gun parts to my house using UPS.  She tells me because they are companies (not sure what that meant).  I ask her to call FEDEX to see if they will ship it.  She does and FEDEX states I have to have an FFL and be sending the item to an FFL holder.  Is this really policy or is this under educated employees that do not understand the policy?  Anyway I take the item to a different UPS location and tell them it is a piece of metal and they ship it!  So if FEDEX, UPS and the postal service will not ship gun parts do I have to drive them across the United States.  Let's see $8.00 item, $900.00 in fuel doesn't sound right.      

technically the only "gun" part is the lower receiver which requires an FFL.

if you are shipping anything else, declare it as "machine parts".

I sent my Stag upper back to them, via UPS.

Stag gave me a label to print out, stuck it on and dropped it off.

No questions asked. Had it back via UPS in a week.

Quoted: I have to tell you guys about my UPS experience today.  I had a gun part that was defective.  I spoke with the company and they said send it back and they would replace it.  I take it to UPS and tell them it is a gun part.  The woman at the counter tells me UPS will not ship any gun part.  I told her it was just a little piece of metal and was no different than a metal car part.  She told me I could ship numerous gun parts to someone and they could make a gun.  I said if I did that with the wrong person it would be a federal offense.  She responded by saying "UPS is not a federal company".  I think I'm speaking to a genious at this point.  I tell her companies always ship gun parts to my house using UPS.  She tells me because they are companies (not sure what that meant).  I ask her to call FEDEX to see if they will ship it.  She does and FEDEX states I have to have an FFL and be sending the item to an FFL holder.  Is this really policy or is this under educated employees that do not understand the policy?  Anyway I take the item to a different UPS location and tell them it is a piece of metal and they ship it!  So if FEDEX, UPS and the postal service will not ship gun parts do I have to drive them across the United States.  Let's see $8.00 item, $900.00 in fuel doesn't sound right.

I have heard this scenerio soooo many times. UPS Stores are independently owned and operated. they do not really know the regs. Even then, they can refuse whatever they like. People fear what they don't understand. Heres my suggestion in the future to all here...Go to UPS website and begin a shipment. Print label and receipt, slap label on, click shcedule a pickup and driver will stop at house to pickup box. Give him a check or pay with CC. Viola!!!

What they don't know they can't refuse.
Just sign up online fo a UPS shipping account, print your own labels, drop them in the box. Voila.
Same with USPS.
You don't (and they don't) want to know the shit that I have shipped.

I shipped a lower back (which is actually considered to be THE firearm since it contains the serial #) to RRA using UPS.  I had a similar issue.  I wanted to insure it for shipping so I had to declare what the item was.  The look of shock/fear/terror that swept over the UPS employees’ face when I declared what was contained within the box was priceless.  The primary problem seemed to be the employees understanding of company policy.  After a few phone calls it was determined that:

1.  UPS would ship it but………..the firearm would have to be shipped from one of the UPS "hubs".  It could not be shipped from one of the small UPS stores (apparently company policy).

2.  I, as a private citizen, could ship the firearm directly to the manufacturer (for warranty work) via UPS.  In turn, the manufacturer could ship it directly back to me (as the owner) without going through the FFL to FFL deal.  This was straight from the RRA rep.  

Once I got to the UPS "hub", they seemed to know exactly how to handle the deal.  The only issue I had there was that they, at first, thought it was a HANDGUN (which UPS feels is even more EVILhock.gif) since the box was so small.  Apparently you have to send handguns by "two day air" or something like that.  I guess I will cross that bridge when I come to it.  Anyway, that was my experience.  Have fun.  

I quit dealing with the UPS Stores, much better luck at the airport locations.  You will get a different answer with every UPS employee you ask !!

You could have used the USPS as long as it's not a handgun receiver.

Long gun receivers and of course parts can be shipped via postal service priority mail at very reasonable prices

There is one problem with declaring things as "machined parts". The shipping tarriffs from each company must be published public record and approved by the ICC. If the tarriff requires it be declared as gun parts and you insure it as machined parts you are not declaring it properly. IF the item is misrepresnted and lost the carrier is not obligated to pay the insurance claim.

You can't use a "UPS Store", they are not owned by UPS.  You can use a real UPS office.  I ran into this a few years ago sending a Benchmark 22 back to TC Arms.  I thought the guy behind the counter at the UPS Store ws gonig to crap his pants when I told him there was a firearm in the package. Idiot.

Quoted: What they don't know they can't refuse. Just sign up online fo a UPS shipping account, print your own labels, drop them in the box. Voila. Same with USPS. You don't (and they don't) want to know the shit that I have shipped.

Yes, but if you dont tell them it is a firearm or firearm related parts you can not claim insurance on it
Been there done that

do it from your house and have them pick it up, they have never said a thing to me or ask a question.

Fed ex is the same way, a different answer from every person, never tell them it's gun parts, machine parts will suffice

Stupid to tell them it was a gun part.

Quoted: Stupid to tell them it was a gun part.

not really..if its an expensive item being returned..you sure want insurance. And telling them is the only way you can.

Many UPS employees don't have any idea about their company rules, so as soon as they hear "gun" they say "whooo, no". And they're stubborn too, by not wanting to even check. Suckers


- Ice

UPS sux big red donkey dick!!!.

I avoid using them whenever possible.

IBTL...

I shipped a complete early Colt M16 upper with UPS yesterday. In the description I listed it as a "20-16 upper assembly" as in 20" M16 upper reciever assembly. Truthfull, accurate, and didn't freak out the sheeple behind the counter.

Quoted: UPS sux big red donkey dick!!!. I avoid using them whenever possible. IBTL...

+1 they stoll my Colt's.

When I shipped my complete AR-10 rifle to Aramalite to have them install a match grade trigger UPS or USPS would not touch it. Was told that Fed-Ex was the only people to use. Fed-Ex not only shipped it but insured it for $2500. Receieved the rifle back complete after upgrade shipped my Fed-Ex. No problems at all.

depending on the area you live in and how the people are (or how knowlegeable they are on company policy), UPS, FedEx, and USPS either will let gun stuff through or not....

luckily around here, all 3 do