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All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => Air Gun Gate => Topic started by: Roald on November 04, 2014, 07:26:26 PM

Title: FedEx no longer ships airguns for private individuals
Post by: Roald on November 04, 2014, 07:26:26 PM
I'm not too sure where to post this... please move it if needed.

FedEx no longer ships airguns for private individuals
I have been shipping airguns via FedEx since 2004 and today when
I tried to ship a tuned airgun back to it's owner, my shipment was
refused. (Allen TX FedEx Kinko's)
They pulled out a large plastic binder and showed me the "new" rule
which came into effect in July this year.... that lumps paintball
and airguns into the "weapons" category and unless you are a licensed
dealer etc.. they will not ship them.
Bummer, I guess my business goes back to UPS.
Title: Re: FedEx no longer ships airguns for private individuals
Post by: Motorhead on November 04, 2014, 07:32:42 PM
Declare them as "Sporting Goods" and not as an Air weapon or Gun   ;)
Title: Re: FedEx no longer ships airguns for private individuals
Post by: starlingassassin on November 04, 2014, 07:42:20 PM
Declare them as "Sporting Goods" and not as an Air weapon or Gun   ;)


good answer,thats what i always tell them :)
Title: Re: FedEx no longer ships airguns for private individuals
Post by: Booger on November 04, 2014, 07:56:26 PM
I usually ship UPS or USPS. The guy at the post office is always asking if I am shipping or receiving another air gun. :)
Title: Re: FedEx no longer ships airguns for private individuals
Post by: woogie_man on November 04, 2014, 07:57:11 PM
They think I make custom glass work around my area.  This way they mark it extremely fragile, and nothing gets broke.
Title: Re: FedEx no longer ships airguns for private individuals
Post by: AmericanPsycho on November 04, 2014, 07:57:47 PM
And guess what happens if they inspect the package.
Title: Re: FedEx no longer ships airguns for private individuals
Post by: Nod on November 04, 2014, 07:58:19 PM
I always say "Machined parts" and have shipped guns twice since July. Although I do not like Fedex.
Title: Re: FedEx no longer ships airguns for private individuals
Post by: AmericanPsycho on November 04, 2014, 07:59:23 PM
I've always used the Post Office with no issues.
Title: Re: FedEx no longer ships airguns for private individuals
Post by: Booger on November 04, 2014, 08:00:07 PM
And guess what happens if they inspect the package.

It either gets returned or delivered. No laws are broken. :)
Title: Re: FedEx no longer ships airguns for private individuals
Post by: mobilehomer on November 04, 2014, 08:14:04 PM
That must be a local thing. There is NO such rule at FedEx! Here is a link to their rules, look under firearms and prohibited items.

http://www.fedex.com/us/service-guide/terms/express-ground/ (http://www.fedex.com/us/service-guide/terms/express-ground/)
Title: Re: FedEx no longer ships airguns for private individuals
Post by: Matt15 on November 04, 2014, 08:45:47 PM
Your "FedEx Kinko's" is just a couple of years behind the "rules" for several year's they have not be allowed to ship airguns, FedEx the large shipping facility WILL ship your airguns you jut likely will need to drive further.
USPS WILL ship air RIFLES, no pistols, ever! It is completely legal to ship rifles with the Post Office, you may need to print the rules (I did) but given the rule/regulation number it will match their book and they will ship.
 Never "fib" about contents, if you ever need to file an insurance claim with any company, and you "fibbed" you will be out money! Tell the truth and, if the USPS looses your package you will get your money in 120 days, if damaged, good luck. UPS will pay up in 3 to 6 month's if lost, or, damaged, factory boxed isn't good enough- plastic hard case with extra packaging inside  box and  you have detailed pictures of packaging and they will pay.
 Never lie or fib if you cant easily afford to pull the replacement money out of you pocket.
John

Oh! I got a air xxxxx from a guy who shipped it through USPS.
Title: Re: FedEx no longer ships airguns for private individuals
Post by: Yarp on November 04, 2014, 09:28:03 PM
I recently shipped a Hatsan and a BSA via FEDEX. It would be good to know if the clerks accepted my packages out of ignorance. I'm about to send a Crosman to the GSA and FEDEX is the most convenient and least expensive shipper.

Title: Re: FedEx no longer ships airguns for private individuals
Post by: BigTinBoat on November 04, 2014, 09:36:44 PM
Could their policies be regional? I recently shipped a Hatsan and a BSA via FEDEX. The clerks didn't seem to have a problem with the declared contents, and both packages arrived at their destinations without incident.

Did you ship from a "Kinko's" or a "FedEx Service Center". The policy is a "Kinko's" policy, not a FedEx policy. FedEx terms say that they ship according to the 1968 Gun Control Act and an Air Gun does not meet the definition of a Firearm in this Act.
Title: Re: FedEx no longer ships airguns for private individuals
Post by: michaelthomas on November 04, 2014, 09:47:18 PM
I ship them via FedEx at the local hub with no trouble whatsoever.  I state that I am shipping air rifles, because if an insurance claim ever has to be made.....I want to have done everything right.  John is correct in saying that misrepresenting the contents will cause all kinds of mayhem if it turns out that a claim must be made. 

Mike
Title: Re: FedEx no longer ships airguns for private individuals
Post by: shootist on November 04, 2014, 09:59:33 PM
I always use USPS. All they ask is if it's explosive, caustic, chemical and a couple other questions totally not relating to an air gun. I always ask for the fragile stamp saying there is glass in the box. USPS is a lot cheaper than UPS. Lee
Title: Re: FedEx no longer ships airguns for private individuals
Post by: Booger on November 04, 2014, 10:13:35 PM
I always use USPS. All they ask is if it's explosive, caustic, chemical and a couple other questions totally not relating to an air gun. I always ask for the fragile stamp saying there is glass in the box. USPS is a lot cheaper than UPS. Lee

USPS is cheaper and I use them. They broke a bolt off my Discovery (which was shipped in a hard case & insured). I refunded the money on the spot, and had the rifle sent to my tuner for repair.
Title: Re: FedEx no longer ships airguns for private individuals
Post by: Matt15 on November 04, 2014, 10:16:57 PM
Your "FedEx Kinko's" is just a couple of years behind the "rules" for several year's they have not be allowed to ship airguns, FedEx the large shipping facility WILL ship your airguns you jut likely will need to drive further.
USPS WILL ship air RIFLES, no pistols, ever! It is completely legal to ship rifles with the Post Office, you may need to print the rules (I did) but given the rule/regulation number it will match their book and they will ship.
 Never "fib" about contents, if you ever need to file an insurance claim with any company, and you "fibbed" you will be out money! Tell the truth and, if the USPS looses your package you will get your money in 120 days, if damaged, good luck. UPS will pay up in 3 to 6 month's if lost, or, damaged, factory boxed isn't good enough- plastic hard case with extra packaging inside  box and  you have detailed pictures of packaging and they will pay.
 Never lie or fib if you cant easily afford to pull the replacement money out of you pocket.
John

Oh! I got a air xxxxx from a guy who shipped it through USPS.
Title: Re: FedEx no longer ships airguns for private individuals
Post by: gg51 on November 04, 2014, 10:35:05 PM
Interesting, as the Big Dawg Pyramid Air uses FedEx .. in fact there is one betwixt here and there right now.  FedEx in my experience is the worst shipper for package abuse, anything shipped via them has dents, tears, etc, and has on several occasions been damaged. 
Title: Re: FedEx no longer ships airguns for private individuals
Post by: gard72977 on November 04, 2014, 10:55:28 PM
If FedEx does not want our business then don't give it to them
Title: Re: FedEx no longer ships airguns for private individuals
Post by: f4milytime on November 05, 2014, 12:26:53 AM
USPS Supporter here, I only use them.
Title: Re: FedEx no longer ships airguns for private individuals
Post by: Roald on November 05, 2014, 12:33:15 AM
That must be a local thing. There is NO such rule at FedEx! Here is a link to their rules, look under firearms and prohibited items.

http://www.fedex.com/us/service-guide/terms/express-ground/ (http://www.fedex.com/us/service-guide/terms/express-ground/)

It came out after that, in July I was told. The rules online are from January.
I did say that it was sporting goods, but was then asked directly if it was a gun.
If I lied at that point and it got wrecked during shipping, I would have lost the gun...
Upon further investigation, it may be a fedex kinkos rule
and not fedex corporate... I'll do some more digging.
Title: Re: FedEx no longer ships airguns for private individuals
Post by: Roald on November 05, 2014, 12:36:55 AM
If FedEx does not want our business then don't give it to them
I agree 100%
Title: Re: FedEx no longer ships airguns for private individuals
Post by: f4milytime on November 05, 2014, 12:40:42 AM
If FedEx does not want our business then don't give it to them

Tru Dat Bu !!!  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: FedEx no longer ships airguns for private individuals
Post by: wimpanzee on November 05, 2014, 09:04:11 AM
I recently had a lady at a Fedex counter at Office Max refuse to ship my 90ci tank (empty, fill station removed) back to PA because they swore it was flammable pressurized gas.

That was BS.
Title: Re: FedEx no longer ships airguns for private individuals
Post by: stevemag on November 05, 2014, 09:25:26 AM
my local UPS store will not ship a gun of any type. i have to go to the main ups facility.  in your case i bet its a local franchise kind of thing.
Title: Re: FedEx no longer ships airguns for private individuals
Post by: SciGuy on November 05, 2014, 09:35:06 AM
FedEx counters at various retailers have different rules from a true FedEx site.  A real FedEx site has no problems with airguns.  Stopped by the one I use yesterday where the manager and I are on friendly terms and discussed this with him.  Airguns and pistols are good to go from a FedEx sight.  Kinkos and other locations are governed by a stricter set of rules.
Title: Re: FedEx no longer ships airguns for private individuals
Post by: uglymike on November 05, 2014, 10:14:39 AM
Slight off topic, apologies. Realize also that when you insure it, get insurance for 20% more than the value. You make an insurance claim, they only pay 80%.
Title: Re: FedEx no longer ships airguns for private individuals
Post by: ancient1one on November 05, 2014, 10:27:28 AM
I use US postal service and if they ask I tell the clerk its an air tool. If anything were to happen it is an air tool..
Title: Re: FedEx no longer ships airguns for private individuals
Post by: f4milytime on November 05, 2014, 12:34:14 PM
USPS has always been the easiest to use here, no need for bending the truth or anything like that. "YET" Hopefully it never comes to that.... Good luck on all your future shipments.  :D
Title: Re: FedEx no longer ships airguns for private individuals
Post by: garczar6 on November 05, 2014, 02:17:42 PM
Although Kinkos is still on some stores, the name is FedExOffice. ALL are owned by FedEx. UPSStores ARE franchises. Although ag's are not considered firearms by the govt. they ARE consumer products and fall under CPSC guidelines. Many states, even gun-friendly ones, have strict airgun use and transfer guidelines. I just talked to FedEx hq and am waiting for official response. I got distinct feeling that the home office isn't aware and doesn't really care what individ. stores do.
Title: Re: FedEx no longer ships airguns for private individuals
Post by: garczar6 on November 05, 2014, 02:23:39 PM
Although Kinkos is still on some stores, the name is FedExOffice. ALL are owned by FedEx. UPSStores ARE franchises. Although ag's are not considered firearms by the govt. they ARE consumer products and fall under CPSC guidelines. Many states, even gun-friendly ones, have strict airgun use and transfer guidelines. I just talked to FedEx hq and am waiting for official response. I got distinct feeling that the home office isn't aware and doesn't really care what individ. stores do.
Title: Re: FedEx no longer ships airguns for private individuals
Post by: mobilehomer on November 05, 2014, 02:27:54 PM
This is at the top of the topic dropdown on FedEx's site that I posted the link to earlier.
FedEx Ground Tariff (effective Jan. 6, 2014; updated July 14, 2014)
Notice the update date. This IS the latest from them!
Title: Re: FedEx no longer ships airguns for private individuals
Post by: garczar6 on November 05, 2014, 02:47:24 PM
Part of ( if not the main) problem is that several states, using CPSC guidelines, have enacted their own rules/regs, pertaining to the ownership-use-transfer of airguns. If a local branch mgr. is aware of such regs. he/she may be inclined not to ship. FedEx themselves told me that airguns are ok but that individ. stores can make final decision. When i pointed out that such inconsistency is crazy, they agreed and said they would check this out fully and get back by email or phone.  We'll see about that.
Title: Re: FedEx no longer ships airguns for private individuals
Post by: SpiralGroove on November 05, 2014, 02:51:56 PM
Yes, my airgun was refused by FedEx in August; "Dealers Only" now.  Took it to USPS and they didn't ask any questions, except does "the package" contain dangerous liquids or explosives.

I liked FedEx better, because they were cheaper and provided tracking for free.  USPS wants even more $$ for tracking.
Title: Re: FedEx no longer ships airguns for private individuals
Post by: Gatorproof on November 05, 2014, 05:36:00 PM
Hatsan Service  ships Fedex.
The last rifle I got came to my private post office box. Which is a little shipping store.

I pulled my new AT44S out and showed him and dry fired it for him. He is my buddy and loved it.

Didn't even freak when I popped it off, lol.


Silly but fun,
Gator
Title: Re: FedEx no longer ships airguns for private individuals
Post by: Roald on November 07, 2014, 09:16:23 AM
This is at the top of the topic dropdown on FedEx's site that I posted the link to earlier.
FedEx Ground Tariff (effective Jan. 6, 2014; updated July 14, 2014)
Notice the update date. This IS the latest from them!

I agree, that is the latest that's been posted online. I went back and asked the manager for a copy of the
rule in question, he was happy to provide me with a color copy of the page.
I will see if I can scan and post it here.... but basically all they did was to add under the Firearms section, in
parentheses, right on the Firearms heading it now says something like Firearms: (including all BB, Pellet, Paintball or any air powered gun) 
Then all the firearm rules follow, including the one that states, no shipping from individual to individual...
 
Title: Re: FedEx no longer ships airguns for private individuals
Post by: josixpack on November 07, 2014, 11:13:37 AM
FedEx delivered a Stoeger X20 .22 from AGD a few weeks ago to a private resident in Wisconsin and they picked up a gun to be shipped back to AGD no questions asked.  They also delivered several guns to me last year as well.  I've never had an issue other then one shipment going to my neighbor.
Title: Re: FedEx no longer ships airguns for private individuals
Post by: ancient1one on November 07, 2014, 12:20:38 PM
my local UPS store will not ship a gun of any type. i have to go to the main ups facility.  in your case i bet its a local franchise kind of thing.

The local UPS store in my town is always 10 to 15 percent higher than US Postal.
Title: Re: FedEx no longer ships airguns for private individuals
Post by: maraudinglizard on November 07, 2014, 02:06:52 PM
Interesting, as the Big Dawg Pyramid Air uses FedEx .. in fact there is one betwixt here and there right now.  FedEx in my experience is the worst shipper for package abuse, anything shipped via them has dents, tears, etc, and has on several occasions been damaged.

I have to agree with you on that one.  If I can't get it to my postal box, I don't buy it.  If it comes UPS, my delivery guy knows where to put it without it being damaged or stolen. FedEx is a joke in my area, what few packages they have delivered ends up at the post office anyway because they can't find the address.
Title: Re: FedEx no longer ships airguns for private individuals
Post by: avator on November 07, 2014, 02:54:52 PM
I just received my next project gun today. A 2240 with a 24" barrel. I bought it from another GTA member. He gave me a pretty good deal on it. Oh yeah.... he sent it to my door.... FedEx.
Title: Re: FedEx no longer ships airguns for private individuals
Post by: Roald on November 12, 2014, 04:44:08 PM
Okay, since I started this mess... Here's the latest update.
FedEx has revised it's policy and is fine with shipping airguns in states where it is legal to do so.
The rules that I was shown will still hold true, but only in states that require using a fire arm dealer to
ship airguns. like NY, NJ etc
Thanks to Bill for doing the heavy lifting on this issue.
I was also told that in order to avoid any of these problems, prepay and print your own FedEx shipping
Label at home, stick it on the box and just drop it off at any authorized FedEx pickup location.
No questions asked, no lines to wait in and no drama and best of all, discounted shipping rates.
Roald.
Title: Re: FedEx no longer ships airguns for private individuals
Post by: WECSOG on November 12, 2014, 05:08:01 PM

USPS WILL ship air RIFLES, no pistols, ever!

c. Air guns that do not fall within the definition of firearm under 12.1.1a that are capable of being concealed on a person are mailable; but must include adult signa­ture service under 503.8.0. Mailers must comply with all applicable state and local regulations.

Source: USPS website