Shipping Airguns
- Thread starter FelixS
- Start date
I made the mistake saying it was a pellet gun one time , which took the lady a hour to figure out if it was safe to ship . So I'd go with sporting goods also . I also degassed it down to 1000 psi for ground shipping which was the way I received it .
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what about shipping an air rifle from the Netherlands to the USA. It would go UPS and via air. I would completely degas the gun and I know Krale does it all the time when someone from the USA buys a gun. But what about a private shipping?
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I was told once to slit the gun up and call it parts to get around US Customs. What do you think?
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It depends on how you are shipping it. If by USPS, do not tell them it is an airgun. As long as it is not hazardous or illegal, it is none of their business what is in the box. Anything that says GUN, should be covered up per USPS regs. I shipped an air rifle by UPS and printed the label at home. When I was asked what I was shipping and typed air rifle, NOPE, red flag. I changed it to PELLET and everything was fine.
When I worked as a gun smith, I shipped hundreds of guns by UPS and USPS. UPS picked the guns up at the shop. No problem there. All guns shipped by USPS were in plain, unmarked boxes. The boss took a shotgun to the post office and told them it was going to a postal inspector in Puerto Rico. He got out of there 1 1/2 hours later. True story.
When I worked as a gun smith, I shipped hundreds of guns by UPS and USPS. UPS picked the guns up at the shop. No problem there. All guns shipped by USPS were in plain, unmarked boxes. The boss took a shotgun to the post office and told them it was going to a postal inspector in Puerto Rico. He got out of there 1 1/2 hours later. True story.
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Thanks for the advice, but I will be shipping from the Netherlands to East Coast of the US. And it would be via UPS. So go through US customs. Me it’s more of the value of the gun. I could say pneumatic parts and breakapart the gun or ship some parts separately no problem right?
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I just checked and at this time I can’t ship the rifle to the interested person because of state level laws. Being a US citizen living overseas” the laws still apply thus the consequences, so “I won’t go there!”
When it comes to firearms and airarms I’m glad I’m from a sane state like Idaho. So no issues traveling back and forth from the Netherlands with airguns, as long as they are purchased here in the Netherlands. “Gov wants make sure that hey got their taxes!”
When it comes to firearms and airarms I’m glad I’m from a sane state like Idaho. So no issues traveling back and forth from the Netherlands with airguns, as long as they are purchased here in the Netherlands. “Gov wants make sure that hey got their taxes!”
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All the major shippers accept air guns, and they do not classify them as firearms, which is the correct interpretation under federal law. There are a couple of potential issues. Privately owned UPS stores operate under different guidelines, having nothing to do with federal law. Their rules do not allow the acceptance of air guns (I saw this), and they will likely refer you to their local UPS hub for shipping. That doesn't mean your local UPS store will not accept an air rifle, but they might not, and with good reason under their franchise rules. The other potential sticking point, simply an employee who doesn't understand the rules, which can lead to a frustrating delay. The main problem I see in lying about the contents, is in the event of loss or damage. I'm not sure what the effect of misrepresentation might have on such a claim, but it would probably not be favorable. I usually do not buy insurance, but I know most folks probably do, so it might be an issue.
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I understand the concern, but would "sporting goods" be a misrepresentation? It seems to me to be the truth.
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If the shipper accepts air rifles, then maybe there is no risk in the "sporting goods" description. But if that is the case, why not just call it an air rifle. I'm not sure I understand the paranoia about claiming the air rifle as contents. My local FedEx store has a policy to inspect any package that is insured for over a certain amount, and packed by the customer. They don't tear into anything, but they open it enough to be comfortable that it is properly packed, which is their concern. It could be embarrassing if they find an air rifle that was described as something unarguably different. I know it is frustrating if forced to deal with an uninformed shipping employee, and can be time consuming. But, I've been shipping firearms and air rifles for a long time, I would guess over 100 shipments, and I've had only two instances of really poor service, based on ignorance of the regulations or company policy.
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On UPS I just state pneumatic parts as I've tried other things like airguns pellet gun and no go not allowed on there site. Stupid but is what it is
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