selling airguns

[suki]

hi everyone.i'm having a clearout of my airguns and whilst it would be great to sell face to face,i want to be prepared if that's not possible.can anyone advise me regarding the legalities of sending them through the post,and is it best to use royal mail or a courier?

[swiss.tony]

your better with f2f but nothing wrong with sending in post or courier just get tracking number simples

[clayman]

Second hand owner sales can be made remotely and the gun sent. F-2-F is only a requirement under the VCR act for dealer selling new or second hand guns

 

Guns are prohibited items in Royal Mail, and while you can certainly put an anonymous parcel with a gun into the post, even if you pay for Insured Special Delivery, if its lost or damaged you will get no compensation.

 

Other couriers also ban fire-arms for domestic sending - only account holders with TNT ( GTA members) ; Parcelforce (BASC trade members) etc who have prior arrangements on their account to send "dangerous goods" are permitted to use these services for guns.

 

If you wish to send a gun, best take it to an RFD with forwarding services, and send it legally.

[tosspot]

Second hand owner sales can be made remotely and the gun sent. F-2-F is only a requirement under the VCR act for dealer selling new or second hand guns

 

Guns are prohibited items in Royal Mail, and while you can certainly put an anonymous parcel with a gun into the post, even if you pay for Insured Special Delivery, if its lost or damaged you will get no compensation.

 

Other couriers also ban fire-arms for domestic sending - only account holders with TNT ( GTA members) ; Parcelforce (BASC trade members) etc who have prior arrangements on their account to send "dangerous goods" are permitted to use these services for guns.

 

If you wish to send a gun, best take it to an RFD with forwarding services, and send it legally.

 

 

 

Is this a recent change in law / RM policy?

[clayman]

Nope, just download the conditions of carriage and restricted items not allowed from the Royal Mail website.

 

http://www.royalmail.com/despatch-inward-mail-services/hints-and-tips/restricted-goods

 

Weapons and ammunition are restricted goods, the only exception being goods entering UK as imports in the international mail system.

[tosspot]

Thanks Clayman,

 

I have always referred to the BBS re this matter

 

(copied and pasted)

 

Key Facts about Posting Airguns:

 

* It IS legal to send airguns by Royal Mail;

* Use Standard Parcels (longer items); or

* Special Delivery (shorter items);

* Do NOT use Parcelforce unless you have an account;

* Private sellers don't have to sell face to face;

* Buyers must be at least 18 years old.

 

 

 

Royal Mail can't refuse to carry airguns

 

To clear up any confusion on this subject, caused by Post Office staff thinking Royal Mail has discretion on whether it can carry airguns, please note that the RM regulator Postcomm ruled clearly in our favour in June 2005.

 

Royal Mail is stuck with this decision like it or not. They must carry legal airguns, properly packaged, as long as they meet the size requirements of Standard Parcels and Special Delivery.

 

The law on selling airguns - basics

 

The Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 requires anyone who deals in airguns (new or second hand) "by way of trade or business" to be registered as a firearms dealer. This does not apply to guns made before 1939. Dealers have to keep a register of buyers of airguns and certain component parts and they must either sell them face to face or send them to another RFD who has to take the details, sell face to face etc.

 

None of the above applies to private individuals. We are free to buy and sell lawful airguns privately without restrictions, so long as we are satisfied the buyer is over 18 years old.

 

Parcelforce

 

NOTE: If you send an air rifle or air pistol by Parcelforce and you don't have an account with them, you are in breach of their terms and conditions and may find it difficult (or impossible) to get compensation if the item is damaged.

There is much more, i have copied some of what i believe to be relevant.

 

Don't get me wrong i have learned the hard way to not believe everything i read on the internet :yp:

 

and wonder if this is a "grey area" or set in stone?

 

HERE

[suki]

hi everybody,

thanks very much for your helpful replies

[Teal]

Speak to the BASC if you are a member but it is my understanding that you are OK to post air rifles using Royal Mail, I would suggest special delivery as the best option to ensure it reaches the target at a known time and is fully insured.

[clayman]

There seems to be conflicting information from advice given in some quarters, and the actual words of Royal mails own words in their restricted items information on line.

 

Toss-pot quoted a clip of advice, but I can find no cross reference to the ruling, and its 7 years ago.

 

It would be good to get to the bottom of this one, as it seems as though there is conflicting info in circulation.

 

I'll see what GTA, BASC and our acc manager at Royal Mail have to say, and see if I can report definitive current info.

[sitty tree]

hello suki. can you list for sale air rifles cheers.