Posting Airguns

markfireblade

markfireblade

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So, can someone please summarise the rules for private individuals like us sending any airguns we sell, to the hopefully happy recipients, e.g. if I want to send my HW44 by RM Special Delivery, will I get any hassles when they ask what's in the parcel and I say "airgun"....? Will this be an issiue with carriers like DPD or whatever?
I've noticed that dealers don't seem to do this at all, it's collection only or their own delivery guys.

Cheers
Mark
 
I had to explain at my local post office that the air gun was not an illegal item and there was nothing dodgy about the parcel.
Other than that, just make sure you put your own sender details on the parcel and that makes them happy 🤔
 
From Google:

1765545386797.webp



From the Royal Mail web site:

Guns for sporting use​

Royal Mail only

  • International - Allowed in the mail, see restrictions and packaging guidelines below:
    • Guns intended for sporting purposes - including Section 1 and Section 2 firearms, low-powered air guns and their component parts - may be sent in compliance with UK law and subject to applicable export controls on the shipment of firearms.
    • Items that appear to be prohibited weapons may be subject to additional checks and delays.
    • Guns must not be loaded.
    • Air weapons with an integral gas cylinder that are de-pressurised can only be accepted. Air weapons with gas cylinders that are pressurised are prohibited
    • Air weapons with a pressurised removable gas cylinder which is still attached are prohibited
    • Sender's name and address must be visible on the parcel.
    • Must be packed in rigid outer packaging suitable for the gun size and weight, for example a fibreboard box, with sufficient inner packaging to prevent movement during transport.
  • UK - Allowed in the mail, see restrictions and packaging guidelines below:
    • Guns intended for sporting purposes - including Section 1 (e.g. hunting rifles) and Section 2 (e.g. shotguns) firearms, low-powered air weapons and their component parts - may be sent in compliance with UK law and subject to domestic controls on the possession of firearms. Antiques, deactivated and imitation firearms are also permitted. When sending deactivated firearms include proof of deactivation.
    • Items that appear to be prohibited weapons may be subject to additional checks and delays.
    • Use 1st Class as the minimum service.The senders name and address must be clear on the packaging. Low-powered air weapons which exceed the Royal Mail size restrictions are accepted by Parcelforce Worldwide, using express48 via the Post Office.
    • Guns must not be loaded.
    • Air weapons with an integral gas cylinder that are de-pressurised can only be accepted. Air weapons with gas cylinders that are pressurised are prohibited
    • Air weapons with a pressurised removable gas cylinder which is still attached are prohibited
    • Must be packed in rigid outer packaging suitable for the gun size and weight, for example a fibreboard box, with sufficient inner packaging to prevent movement during transport.

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:

Parcelforce Worldwide only

  • International destinations - Not allowed in the mail
  • UK destinations - Allowed in the mail, with restrictions and packaging guidelines below:
    o These items must be sent on an express48 service only.
    o These items must be sent via the Post Office only, and presented at the counter.
    o Enhanced compensation cover is not available.
 
markfireblade said:
So, can someone please summarise the rules for private individuals like us sending any airguns we sell, to the hopefully happy recipients, e.g. if I want to send my HW44 by RM Special Delivery, will I get any hassles when they ask what's in the parcel and I say "airgun"....? Will this be an issiue with carriers like DPD or whatever?
I've noticed that dealers don't seem to do this at all, it's collection only or their own delivery guys.

Cheers
Mark
Click to expand...
Royal Mail /Parcel Force are the only ones who will carry an airgun for he general public . If you use any of the others and they find it , they can dispose of it and even fine you for their costs in disposing of it .

You hand it over at the post office and tell them its a low powered airgun and if they say it cant be sent then you educate them .

Take a not of the terms with you https://help.royalmail.com/personal...restricted-items-personal-customer-guidelines Guns for sporting use and show them.

The Post Office is a separate company to RM/PF and has been for years though some still think they are linked. The staff in the Post office only sell the services of RM/PF and may not know all of what can and cannot be sent .

An RFD cant send airgun to a customer if they have sold it . They can only do it if you have sent it back for repair .

https://daimlerferret.co.uk/files/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/acpo_basc_guide_to_vcr_act.pdf section 32.

Can air weapons be sold by mail order?
No. All sales or transfers will have to be on a face-to-face basis with the buyer or his
representative. RFDs may sell air guns to people at a distance, but only through another
RFD who will then ensure the air gun is transferred face-to-face. A face-to-face sale may
also be conducted by a servant of the RFD who completes the transfer away from the
business premises i.e. by delivering the air weapon to the customer. The transfer must still
be recorded in the dealers register.

The RFD delivering it satisfies that face to face part
 
David Marchant said:
Unless you are packing it in a wooden/ply box always split the stock and the action. there are numerous posts on here where Royal Mail and friends have managed to snap the stock.
Click to expand...
Some recipients may not be too happy about receiving a gun in 2 x parts and will expect a complete and assembled item. Just a thought so perhaps worth checking beforehand.
 
If packed correctly, sending a rifle intact isn't a problem imo.
I've sent and received many over the years, no issues.
Touch wood :LOL:
 
GridNorth said:
Some recipients may not be too happy about receiving a gun in 2 x parts and will expect a complete and assembled item. Just a thought so perhaps worth checking beforehand.
Click to expand...

I have received both - complete and with separate stocks - when buying on AGF; neither was a problem for me.

On the other hand, one of my HW97s now wears a cheap, repaired stock after somebody sent a complete rifle through Royal Mail - snapped at the "wrist" and I snapped it up when replaced.

As you say, "worth checking beforehand" but my opinion is that sending them separately is usually safer - unless wrapped to survive Armageddon.
 
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