Gun posting (again)

RobH

RobH

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So I have a low powered air rifle ( sub12 ) to post.
Having read the requirements on parcelforce website it states the package can only be sent from a post office and must be presented at the counter.

Am I right in thinking I can buy the parcelforce 48hr express postage online as it’s cheaper and just drop it in at the post office counter and answer the what’s in it question?

My post office always bangs a few quid on for some reason hence why I do all my postage purchases online.

I’ve never posted a gun before so I just want to make sure I do it right.
 
RobH said:
So I have a low powered air rifle ( sub12 ) to post.
Having read the requirements on parcelforce website it states the package can only be sent from a post office and must be presented at the counter.

Am I right in thinking I can buy the parcelforce 48hr express postage online as it’s cheaper and just drop it in at the post office counter and answer the what’s in it question?

My post office always bangs a few quid on for some reason hence why I do all my postage purchases online.

I’ve never posted a gun before so I just want to make sure I do it right.
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Yep Parcel Force 48 hour express - part of Royal Mail now - £11.35 for up to 5KG package & you can book it on their website , print off your label, then take it to your post office 👍
 
Martin Bacon said:
Yep Parcel Force 48 hour express - part of Royal Mail now - £11.35 for up to 5KG package & you can book it on their website , print off your label, then take it to your post office 👍
Click to expand...

Cheers, why my post office always charges more I’ll never know.
 
RobH said:
So I have a low powered air rifle ( sub12 ) to post.
Having read the requirements on parcelforce website it states the package can only be sent from a post office and must be presented at the counter.

Am I right in thinking I can buy the parcelforce 48hr express postage online as it’s cheaper and just drop it in at the post office counter and answer the what’s in it question?

My post office always bangs a few quid on for some reason hence why I do all my postage purchases online.

I’ve never posted a gun before so I just want to make sure I do it right.
Click to expand...
Yes you can buy the postage online but has to be handed over at the PO counter.
 
Needs to be emptied of air, then make sure it's well wrapped inside its box, then inside another box. Don't write what it is on the box, but be aware of where to find the info saying sub12 air guns are legal to send as some Postmasters don't know that and will argue they can't send it
 
RobH said:
Thanks for all the info.
How would I go on about sending a cannon 😏

Packaged up, label printed and then it’s just the “oh it’s a gun” answer I guess
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No, you say
"It's an air gun, fully legal in the UK and not containing any compressed air."
If you want the transaction to go smoothly.

Post Office counter staff know as much about air guns as you do about their hobbies and any over simplified description of it as a "gun" will only alarm them and lead to more questions.
We are a tiny fraction of their business so it makes sense not to complicate the issue, I reckon.

Remove the action from the stock if possible - we have seen too many rifle stocks snapped at the "wrist."
 
Last edited:

Item
UK
International




Arms and Ammunition All firearms, other than low-powered air weapons sent within the UK (air rifles, air guns and air pistols), including imitations and antiques; paint-ball or toy guns; taser guns; components of firearms and all other items similar to, or resembling, the foregoing are prohibited. All ammunition other than lead pellets and other air gun and airsoft projectiles is also prohibited.
No
No

Arms and Ammunition - low powered air weapons Low-powered air weapons (air rifles, air guns and air pistols), together with lead pellets and other airgun and airsoft projectiles, can be sent but are subject to the following conditions:
1. These items must be sent on an express48 service only
2. These items must be sent via the Post Office only, and presented at the counter
3. Enhanced compensation cover is not available
Yes
No
 
Byronic said:
No, you say
"It's an air gun, fully legal in the UK and not containing any compressed air."
If you want the transaction to go smoothly.

Post Office counter staff know as much about air guns as you do about their hobbies and any over simplified description of it as a "gun" will only alarm them.snd lead to more questions.
We are a tiny fraction of their business so it makes sense not to complicate the issue, I reckon.

Remove the action from the stick if possible - we have seen too many rifle stocks snapped at the "wrist."
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Good luck telling Doris its a gun of any description 🙈
 
Right Cant said:
Good luck telling Doris its a gun of any description 🙈
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I have only had an issue once, during 2020, sending my Dragon to be repaired.

He certainly was not called Doris but his questions were reasonable - given that he had never dealt with an air gun before.

I had an Email from the Gunsmith explaining it all and quoting "Chapter and Verse" which I showed to him - after which it went smoothly.
We ended up having a conversation about "antique" air guns which was a completely novel concept for him, as for many people.
I used the same local Post Office in Upton Park, Newham, every time after that and was usually greeted with
"Another antique?" - with which I always just agreed; not strictly accurate but all my guns are far from new so "near enough."

My earlier post was in response to the comment from @RobH
"just the “oh it’s a gun” answer I guess"

As with most situations in life, being calm and polite is a good start; knowing what you are talking about is useful, too.
 
Well you faired far better than me! Mine just clammed up and shat herself even when I showed her the rules on my phone. Her (female) supervisor did too.

I've never been to that depot since, fcuk em.
 
Right Cant said:
Well you faired far better than me! Mine just clammed up and shat herself even when I showed her the rules on my phone. Her (female) supervisor did too.

I've never been to that depot since, fcuk em.
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Yep, most people in Britain are very nervous at the mere mention of the word "gun" - which is why being calm and polite is the best suggestion that I can offer.

My local PO here in Hemel is getting used to my odd hobby, too - perfectly polite and as helpful as they can be but it is obviously out of their "comfort zone."
 
Byronic said:
Yep, most people in Britain are very nervous at the mere mention of the word "gun" - which is why being calm and polite is the best suggestion that I can offer.

My local PO here in Hemel is getting used to my odd hobby, too - perfectly polite and as helpful as they can be but it is obviously out of their "comfort zone."
Click to expand...
I was very polite, as I always am. It was like trying to reason with my mother 😛
 
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