chrisjpainter Posted July 2, 2014 Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 (edited) It is legal to post air rifles, but there are restrictions. This thread should help you stay the right side of them and avoid risking having an air rifle destroyed. They must go by Royal Mail or Parcel Force. No other courier that I am aware of allows air rifles to be sent by private customers. Both RM and PF allow them, subject to UK law and restrictions. So, ANY sporting weapon that is subject to a firearms license must go by Registered Firearms Dealer to Registered Firearms Dealer (RFD). Low-powered air rifles do not require a license and as such can be sent privately without the need for an RFD. Low-powered means an air rifle under 12ft/lb and air pistols under 6ft/lb. Private postage of Low-Powered air rifles and pistols. Royal Mail Royal Mail will accept air rifles AND their components on Special Delivery only. The length of the whole package cannot exceed 61cm and weigh no more than 20kg. Extra compensation is available (HIGHLY recommended!) up to £2,500. The sender's address must be clearly written on the outside of the package. PCP rifles must NOT be pressurised. Obviously guns should not be posted loaded or cocked. Parcel Force Parcel Force will take air rifles, but they MUST be sent by express48. As with RM, the sender's address must be on the outside of the parcel. The size limit is 2.5m, with total dimensions not exceeding 3m (length + width + height). The compensation limit is the same. With both of these methods, the package must be taken to a post office and delivered to them in person. You cannot arrange for them to be picked up at your house. Whichever method, I strongly recommend buying extra cover to the value of your package. The last thing you want is a lost package, leaving you with no rifle and no sale. FAC-Air Any air rifle that is above the 12ft/lb limit MUST be sent by an RFD and they must post it to the RFD near the buyer. Most RFD's are happy to do this, but it can cost both at your end and for the buyer to pick it up. Whilst it is possible to do this, it's worth thinking whether it's worth the hassle. Where FAC's are involved, for peace of mind it is better to do a deal face-to-face, so you know the receiver has the required license and is legally allowed to own the gun. You are breaking the law if you sell a gun to someone who is not allowed to own it. This service is available to posting low-powered air weapons, but it's best to speak to both RFD's first and make sure that all three parties - the two RFD's and the buyer - know exactly what is happening and can contact all parties. Air Rifle Components Air rifle parts are covered by the above restrictions as well. They can be posted by Special delivery and, if needed express48. Buddy bottles CAN be sent but must be de-pressurised. Dive bottles and CO2 cannisters cannot be sent by Royal Mail or Parcel force, even empty ones. They do not count as an air rifle component and are prohibited under a separate condition. For more information, please see the Royal Mail website. here is a link to the restricted and prohibited list, which gives some of the above information as well as the complete list. http://www.postoffice.co.uk/sites/default/files/6966%20DG%20countertop%20DL%20leaflet_July_art_TAG.PDF Please use common sense when posting. It is your responsibility that the buyer is old enough to buy an air rifle. Pack the rifle well, and pay special attention to the trigger and other delicate parts. NEVER post a loaded or cocked gun and make sure the magazine is removed. Edited July 2, 2014 by chrisjpainter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisjpainter Posted November 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2014 Please note: the link above no longer works, this is the updated one! http://www.postoffice.co.uk/prohibited-goods-uk#Restricted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaymo(TM) Posted January 7, 2015 Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 Cheers Guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zenduri Posted September 7, 2015 Report Share Posted September 7, 2015 Quick question, just incase anyone reads this. I need to post a BSA Airsporter minus stock (disassembled) to get it re-blued. Any idea what i can send it in as the postage tubes Ive seen are too small and in packs of about 20. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amateur Posted September 7, 2015 Report Share Posted September 7, 2015 Quick question, just incase anyone reads this. I need to post a BSA Airsporter minus stock (disassembled) to get it re-blued. Any idea what i can send it in as the postage tubes Ive seen are too small and in packs of about 20. Bubble wrap enclosed in a strong polythene post bag? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisheruk Posted November 30, 2015 Report Share Posted November 30, 2015 Quick question, just incase anyone reads this. I need to post a BSA Airsporter minus stock (disassembled) to get it re-blued. Any idea what i can send it in as the postage tubes Ive seen are too small and in packs of about 20. A section of plastic waste pipe of the required diameter. Wrapped and stuffed with bubble wrap. Gaffer taped over the ends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serrac Posted May 12, 2017 Report Share Posted May 12, 2017 Hi, Please be aware that the situation wrt posting "air weapons" appears to be different now in Scotland. I purchased a non-FAC air rifle privately in January - the seller and myself were both in Scotland and both AWC holders. He tried to post it via Parcelforce but the driver refused to uplift it claiming it was "dangerous goods". He spoke to the Police Scotland Air Weapons team who told him that "all air gun transactions now need to be done either face to face or RFD to RFD" So in the end I paid £30 more than expected and he received £30 less than expected - way to go SNP On the other hand the RFDs probably need the business - mine told me the air-gun trade seems to have collapsed in Scotland recently for some inexplicable reason. Regards Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saddler Posted May 12, 2017 Report Share Posted May 12, 2017 (edited) ...the Police Scotland Air Weapons team who told him that "all air gun transactions now need to be done either face to face or RFD to RFD" ....same for someone selling outside of Scotland? (2nd hand gun from a Scottish address/owner to new buyer in England or Wales? ) There's not been a change to the carriage by ParcelForce to my knowledge. Royal Mail still allow the posting of FAC & SGC category guns. Parcelforce ONLY carried airguns unless you had a trade account. Edited May 12, 2017 by saddler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guzzicat Posted May 12, 2017 Report Share Posted May 12, 2017 Quick question, just incase anyone reads this. I need to post a BSA Airsporter minus stock (disassembled) to get it re-blued. Any idea what i can send it in as the postage tubes Ive seen are too small and in packs of about 20. A carpet shop usually has the strong cardboard tube from centre of carpet roll. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serrac Posted May 12, 2017 Report Share Posted May 12, 2017 "....same for someone selling outside of Scotland?"We didn't look into that but I presume Police Scotland are taking their stance based on the requirement for the buyer to "show" an AWC to the seller. Since a buyer in England is not required to have an "AWC" one would hope that requirement doesn't apply. But as we already know Police Scotland read legislation to suit themselves so proceed at your own risk if you are a seller in Scotland. Regards Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gamekeeper1960 Posted October 25, 2020 Report Share Posted October 25, 2020 As quoted by Fisheruk I've used plastic down pipe a cut out a circular piece of wood on the band saw and screwed into place then tape over the screw heads ideal for sending barrels to be blacked as well.... David.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted October 25, 2020 Report Share Posted October 25, 2020 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted March 15, 2021 Report Share Posted March 15, 2021 Hello, perhaps this post should be up dated ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John C Craig Posted July 22, 2022 Report Share Posted July 22, 2022 I have had no trouble to date, sending and receiving air rifles and pistols from and to Scotland using both Royal Mail and Parcelforce. I think it is worth pointing out however that I did fall foul of Royal Mail when I sent an empty buddy bottle with the valve in place. On reflection, I can see where that would be a problem, but I was rather miffed when they had the sender's details with the package and could have contacted me instead of sending it to be scrapped(allegedly). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red696 Posted November 2, 2023 Report Share Posted November 2, 2023 Worth noting that PF compensation for Air weapons is £100 maximum, do not purchase additional cover from Post Office counters as PF do not have to honour it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby1 Posted June 27 Report Share Posted June 27 What i have found out that a lot of couriers are not cover to carry / deliver most air weapons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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