I shipped my revolver back to the factory for service. I used UPS. The tracking updated to “Out for Delivery,” then… silence. The package vanished. When I filed a claim for the $1,500 value, UPS denied it immediately because I hadn’t declared it as a firearm or paid for the “Declared Value” coverage correctly.
Key Takeaways
- Carrier Liability is Low: Without declaring value, UPS/FedEx liability is capped at $100. Period.
- “Declared Value” is Not Insurance: When you pay extra to UPS, you are raising their liability limit. You still have to prove they were negligent. It is much harder than third-party insurance.
- The Label Trap: If you print a label at home and drop it in a dropbox, you violated the “Hand to Driver/Clerk” rule for firearms. Claim denied.
- Third-Party Insurance is Best: Services like “ShipMyGun” or your own “Gun & Trophy” policy often cover firearms in transit better than the carrier does.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “Tender of Goods.”
Carriers (FedEx/UPS) have strict tariffs (contracts). For firearms, they often require you to be an FFL or ship to an FFL, and you must notify them it is a firearm (even though the law says you don’t have to mark the box). If you violate their internal tariff (e.g., shipping Ground instead of Overnight for handguns), they void any coverage.
The Investigation (I Read the Tariffs)
I checked the 2026 shipping rules.
UPS / FedEx
- Rule: Handguns must ship Overnight (Air). Long guns can go Ground.
- Trap: If you ship a handgun via Ground to save money, and it gets stolen, they pay $0 because you used a prohibited service class.
USPS (Postal Service)
- Rule: A non-licensee can mail a long gun (rifle/shotgun) but not a handgun.
- Insurance: Registered Mail is the safest way to ship anything valuable ($25,000+ coverage available). It is signed for by every single person who touches it.
CollectInsure (Private Insurance)
- Rule: Covers “Property in Transit.”
- Benefit: If UPS loses it, CollectInsure cuts you the check, then they fight UPS. Much faster.
Comparison Table
| Carrier | Handgun Rules | Max Liability (Default) | Max Liability (Declared) |
| FedEx | Overnight Only | $100 | $50,000 |
| UPS | Overnight Only | $100 | $50,000 |
| USPS | Prohibited (Non-FFL) | N/A | N/A |
| USPS (Long Gun) | Allowed | Included | $5,000 (Priority) / $50k (Reg) |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Use an FFL: Pay your local gun store $30 to ship it. They have the corporate accounts and insurance. It’s safer.
- Don’t Mark the Box: Never write “GLOCK” or “GUN” on the box. That violates federal law and invites theft. Use abbreviations like “G. Inc” or “S&W Repair.”
- [IMAGE: Photo of a plain brown shipping box with a nondescript shipping label]
- Ship “Adult Signature Required”: Mandatory. If the driver leaves it on the porch and it walks, you lose.
- Use Registered Mail for High Value: If shipping a $50,000 Holland & Holland, use USPS Registered Mail. It travels in the lock box of the truck.
FAQ
Can I put an AirTag in the case?
Yes. In 2026, this is standard. It helps police find the internal theft ring at the shipping hub.
What if the factory sends it back to my house?
That is legal (repair exception). But ensure you are there to sign for it.