How to Ship a Firearm back to OEM?

[Pawpaw]

Typically the outer "shipping box" is largely unmarked except for an inventory label on one end. It's the inner box that has all the graphics & such on it.

When I had to send my Mossberg 930 back, I didn't have the outer box. I just measured the length of the shotgun and went to the UPS store and bought an appropriately sized box (basically a square tube) and a roll of bubble wrap. I asked the guy if he could accept a shotgun there and he assured me it was not a problem. I think it's different for handguns though.

[CleverNickname]

Typically the outer "shipping box" is largely unmarked except for an inventory label on one end. It's the inner box that has all the graphics & such on it.

When I had to send my Mossberg 930 back, I didn't have the outer box. I just measured the length of the shotgun and went to the UPS store and bought an appropriately sized box (basically a square tube) and a roll of bubble wrap. I asked the guy if he could accept a shotgun there and he assured me it was not a problem. I think it's different for handguns though.

If you ask nicely, lots of gun stores have more than enough cardboard gun boxes that they just throw away, which they'd likely be more than happy to give you.

[Jumping Frog]

I tracked the package, it did not go overnight, so must not be the law as some have suggested.

They may have a volume deal of some sort setup with OEM's, but there is no doubt what their policy is for any ordinary person shipping a firearm:

From UPS: Shipping Firearms or Ammunition

Use These UPS Services for Your Firearm Shipment
Handguns, as defined by 18 U.S.C. § 921, will be accepted for transportation only via UPS Next Day Air Services, specifically, UPS Next Day Air® Early A.M.®, UPS Next Day Air®, and UPS Next Day Air Saver®. (Note: UPS Express CriticalSM Service is not available for firearms).

From FedEx Express U.S. Terms and Conditions (effective Jan. 5, 2015; updated April 21, 2015): Firearms (click the Firearms toggle)

Firearms

A FedEx Express will transport and deliver firearms as defined by the United States Gun Control Act of 1968, between areas served in the U.S., but only between:
1. Licensed importers; licensed manufacturers; licensed dealers; licensed collectors; law enforcement agencies of the U.S. or any department or agency thereof; and law enforcement agencies of any state or any department, agency or political subdivisions thereof; or
2. Where not prohibited by local, state and federal law, from individuals to licensed importers, licensed manufacturers or licensed dealers (and return of same).
B If your shipment contains firearms, select the Direct Signature Required or Adult Signature Required Delivery Signature Option, depending on the requirements of your shipment. See the Delivery Signature Options section for details. Firearms shipments are not eligible for signature release or indirect delivery.
C Firearms must be shipped via FedEx Priority Overnight service. FedEx Express cannot ship or deliver firearms C.O.D. Firearms shipments cannot be placed in a FedEx Express Drop Box.
D Upon presenting the package for shipment, the person tendering the shipment to FedEx Express is required to notify FedEx Express that the package contains a firearm. The outside of the package must not be marked, labeled or otherwise identify that the package contains a firearm.

[oohrah]

Then these are carrier policies, not laws, and Fedex has obviously deviated from their policy in this case, not that I care one way or the other.

[Jumping Frog]

I never claimed they were laws. I simply pointed out that finding a reasonably priced FFL to handle the shipping via USPS for $25 or so was cheaper than paying $75-$80 for next day air via UPS/FEDEX.

[Beiruty]

Now, This is what I do:
1) Put the firearm in box/soft case, etc.
2) Stop by my FFL hand over the pistol with address printed on a piece of paper
3) Pay the man what he asks (reasonable fee)
4) Done

I tried couple times to go all the way to UPS central shipping center, spend couple hrs to get it done. NO MORE.