A good friend of mine wants to ship his Sig 556 to Sig Sauer to get some work done on it. Whats the procedure? As far as the whole what type of case and how to bring it to the airport cargo thing? Do you bring it to the cargo area like any other thing you normally ship? I apologize for the question but my friend and I have never shipped a firearm before. Thanks in advance for the advice

Handguns cannot be mailed via USPS, but can be shipped by other common carrier.  I have the best luck with UPS.  Simply pack the gun securely in a box that does not indicate its contents.  You have to take said box to the main UPS station (on Oahu, it's by the airport).  You are required to declare that it contains a firearm.  Pretty straightforward, really.  The most annoying part is being forced to drive out there.

Long guns can be shipped through USPS. When I had asked here about shipping a stripped receiver, I got a lot of good feedback about shipping firearms. According to Colt808, you don't need to declare the rifle.

http://2ahawaii.com/index.php?topic=1399.0

I ended up shipping my stripped receiver by UPS cause I didn't quite feel comfortable sending it as a rifle through USPS. UPS rules say that it has to be shipped in a new box that meets their requirements for a shipping container. When I went to pick up a box from the local UPS store, the girl said not to seal the box so that they can inspect the contents at main station.

Tom_G, do they inspect your box at UPS when you declare your guns?

Handguns cannot be mailed via USPS, but can be shipped by other common carrier.  I have the best luck with UPS.  Simply pack the gun securely in a box that does not indicate its contents.  You have to take said box to the main UPS station (on Oahu, it's by the airport).  You are required to declare that it contains a firearm.  Pretty straightforward, really.  The most annoying part is being forced to drive out there.

Wow sorry a little off topic but that has to be in violation of a few things. It's not one of the sanctioned destinations, and I think Lagoon Drive is under federal jurisdiction - there's got to be something on that.


 

Where is he sending it? Licensed gunsmith?

Since the 556 is a long gun, and if time isn't an issue, I'd just ship it through USPS Registered Mail at your local PO. That's what I did. Packed everything in a cardboard box with packing paper and sealed it up.The woman at the counter looked like she crapped her pants when I told her it was a gun though. She had to go in the back, look up the regulations on it, and after that, everything was all good (well except there was something about the type of tape I used but she said she'd take care of it). Just be aware that when you ship via registered mail, it takes a long time to get to where it's going because it is signed for at each checkpoint.

Where is he sending it? Licensed gunsmith?

He said it's going back to Sig, so yeah.

sorry I missed that............    

I would also use USPS. Although I do not tell them what's in the box.

I actually just shipped a handgun from UPS about 10 minutes ago.  Really easy, printed the label, handed it to the guy.  Only cost 15 bucks to overnight it to Molokai for repairs.

Also do not address it to Sig Sauer use SSI.

WOW! Thanks for all the replies! Didn't know it was so simple.. Oh yeah gotblika what's SSI mean?

WOW! Thanks for all the replies! Didn't know it was so simple.. Oh yeah gotblika what's SSI mean?

Sig Sauer Inc. if you address it like that people will know it's a firearm.

Tom_G, do they inspect your box at UPS when you declare your guns?

Never had a package inspected.  Even the USPS has the right to do so, but (so far) no one at USPS, UPS, or FedEx has asked to do so.  I do go armed with packing tape, though, just in case. 

You do not need to disclose to USPS or UPS that you are shipping a LONG GUN. By telling them you're just making it harder on yourself.

27 CFR 478.31(a)

(a) No person shall knowingly deliver or cause to be delivered to any common or contract carrier for transportation or shipment in interstate or foreign commerce to any person other than a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector, any package or other container in which there is any firearm or ammunition without written notice to the carrier that such firearm or ammunition is being transported or shipped: Provided, That any passenger who owns or legally possesses a firearm or ammunition being transported aboard any common or contract carrier for movement with the passenger in interstate or foreign commerce may deliver said firearm or ammunition into the custody of the pilot, captain, conductor or operator of such common or contract carrier for the duration of that trip without violating any provision of this part.

SSI...makes sense, thanks gotblika...