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Posting Air Rifles and their Components


chrisjpainter
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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 by chrisjpainter
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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?

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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.

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  • 1 year later...

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 :yahoo:

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

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...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 by saddler
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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.

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"....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

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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).

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