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Shipping ammo - use UPS, NOT FEDEX

Posted: 30 Sep 2011, 11:08
by wheelguy
First time I have tried to ship ammo, so I tried both Fedex and Ups. Fedex wanted $95 and required me to fill out 3 forms requiring also use of a typewriter (which I do not own). UPS only wanted $25, and they did the paperwork. I told both that I was shipping ammunition, but UPS made it much easier and much less expensive also.

Re: Shipping ammo - use UPS, NOT FEDEX

Posted: 30 Sep 2011, 11:12
by panzermk2wife
What type of ammo were you shipping and how were you shipping it?

We use FedEx all the time. I prefer them over UPS.

Re: Shipping ammo - use UPS, NOT FEDEX

Posted: 30 Sep 2011, 11:39
by MikeSantor
I honestly believe it has a lot to do with where you live and the people working at the offices in those locations. for instance, EA hates USPS with a passion. I mean literally, there was voices being raised when talking about them. I on the other hand, have shipped probably 500 packages easily with them in my short time on this earth and they are always fast and cheap.

Then again you also have statistic with quantity. someone that ships 500 packages a month may see more problems with a company than someone that ships 500 packages in a lifetime...

.02

Re: Shipping ammo - use UPS, NOT FEDEX

Posted: 30 Sep 2011, 16:25
by wheelguy
I was shipping hand gun ammo about 4 states away - both source and destination states are gun friendly. Fedex treated my needs as though I was trying to ship the Marburg virus. They just wanted no part of it, and set barriers accordingly. Maybe your experience will be different. If you don't get a warm reception at one place, you may find a much more helpful attitude at the other. They are in competition for our business, after all.

Re: Shipping ammo - use UPS, NOT FEDEX

Posted: 30 Sep 2011, 18:18
by Visceral_Malice
I've been having problems with fedex around here not wanting to let me ship my taurus back to the manufacturer for repairs. I need to get to ups to see if they won't be d-bags about it.

Re: Shipping ammo - use UPS, NOT FEDEX

Posted: 30 Sep 2011, 20:01
by Buffman
Put the ormd sticker on it bring it in (ups stores won't ship ammo) and ground ship it. No paperwork. I'm not happy with fedex right now. 1400$ computer missing from my porch. Signed for by the driver against requirements. Not good

Re: Shipping ammo - use UPS, NOT FEDEX

Posted: 13 Jan 2015, 11:14
by Rapier1772
Tried to ship some handloads to another member for testing today, went to a FedEx hub first.
They said it was federal regulation that they could not take it at their hub, that in order to ship ammo I would need to print the label via their website & make an appointment for their driver to come pick it up. Their idea of an appointment is pick a day & wait (or leave it at your door).

I figured they were BSing about the federal regs so I went to the UPS hub. UPS took the ammo, just had to write ORM-D on the side of the box & put a rectangle around it, same as before. Cost me a bundle for only 10 rounds though :wall: :furious:

Re: Shipping ammo - use UPS, NOT FEDEX

Posted: 13 Jan 2015, 12:34
by Oldbindlestiff
Never had any problems with FedEx overnight. Ground? Well, they really aren't FedEx are they? FedEx bought the Roadway Package System, which was a bunch of local contractors masquerading as a "system", to compete head-on with UPS. Still a bunch of subs hereabouts. YMMV No problem here to ship ammo with either UPS or FedEx.

Re: Shipping ammo - use UPS, NOT FEDEX

Posted: 13 Jan 2015, 13:52
by Buffman
I've taken ammo to Kinko's/FedEx, even a pistol. No issues sending ground on the ammo from them.

Re: Shipping ammo - use UPS, NOT FEDEX

Posted: 13 Jan 2015, 14:10
by Rapier1772
FedEx name on the building, FedEx name on the trucks. That's all I know.

The first place I went was a FedEx/Kinkos. They told me I couldn't ship ammo from there but I could at the hub, he even looked it up in their guide book.
Got to hub, "we can't ship ammunition from here. You have to do it via our website and schedule a pick up from your residence." Said it was new federal regulation. She even tried to go on about trucks getting into accidents & catch on fire & BS like that - as if it was the ammo's fault their driver f'ed up.

Long story short, I can't ship via FedEx here without wasting a day waiting for a driver to pick up.

I can't explain why they did it that way, maybe the chick was an anti-gunner for all I know & just wanted to hassle me. Maybe I should have asked to see the policy in writing? But if she wants to turn away business, that's their problem. I also checked FedEx's website, I could not find where it said I had to ship ammo that way.
EDIT: I just sent FedEx an email, let's see if they respond & if so, what they say.

Re: Shipping ammo - use UPS, NOT FEDEX

Posted: 13 Jan 2015, 15:23
by bruteandbear1
That is why I don't say i am shipping ammo when I do send my brother ammo in a gun friendly state ( Montana). Ow and I always use UPS maybe that is why private manufactures of 5.7x28 charge a arm and a leg for shipping FED EX!! They jack up the price on shipping to were you can't even afford to buy custom ammo let alone shipping it too.

Re: Shipping ammo - use UPS, NOT FEDEX

Posted: 13 Jan 2015, 15:31
by DoubleJ
I've always had better luck shipping via FedEx than UPS. I also used to work for UPS, so I prefer FedEx... That being said, if the company's employees are a bunch of tards flinging words like 'federal regulations' around and not wanting your money, I can totally understand walking out and not coming back. I've recently had USPS misplace two pistols that were destined for my safe, one of them went to another country... both finally showed up. For now, I hate them the most, we'll see what happens next week.

Re: Shipping ammo - use UPS, NOT FEDEX

Posted: 13 Jan 2015, 15:40
by Rapier1772
Brute: It's HazMat (Class 1.4), you're breaking the law by not declaring it.
In the event of an accident or fire, responders will want/need to know about what the vehicle is transporting.

Re: Shipping ammo - use UPS, NOT FEDEX

Posted: 13 Jan 2015, 18:46
by Buffman
Small arms ammo can ship as ORM-D if it meets the following:

(b) Cartridges, small arms, and cartridges power devices. (1) Cartridges, small arms, and cartridges power devices (which are used to project fastening devices) which have been classed as a Division 1.4S explosive may be reclassed, offered for transportation, and transported as ORM-D material when packaged in accordance with paragraph (b)(2) of this section; such transportation is excepted from the requirements of subparts E (Labeling) and F (Placarding) of part 172 of this subchapter. Cartridges, small arms, and cartridges power devices that may be shipped as ORM-D material is limited to:

(i) Ammunition for rifle, pistol or shotgun;

(ii) Ammunition with inert projectiles or blank ammunition;

(iii) Ammunition having no tear gas, incendiary, or detonating explosive projectiles;

(iv) Ammunition not exceeding 12.7 mm (50 caliber or 0.5 inch) for rifle or pistol, cartridges or 8 gauge for shotshells; and

(v) Cartridges, power devices which are used to project fastening devices.

(2) Packaging for cartridges, small arms, and cartridges power devices as ORM-D material must be as follows:

(i) Ammunition must be packed in inside boxes, or in partitions which fit snugly in the outside packaging, or in metal clips;

(ii) Primers must be protected from accidental initiation;

(iii) Inside boxes, partitions or metal clips must be packed in securely-closed strong outside packagings;

(iv) Maximum gross weight is limited to 30 kg (66 pounds) per package; and

(v) Cartridges, power devices which are used to project fastening devices and 22 caliber rim-fire cartridges may be packaged loose in strong outside packagings.

All of my packages are properly packaged and labeled ORM-D or the stripped label. It's labeled and they know what's in side it. Telling them further complicates those who don't know the actual rules.

UPS Store can take ammo, but it's their store Policy not to, since they are a franchise business.

Re: Shipping ammo - use UPS, NOT FEDEX

Posted: 13 Jan 2015, 20:53
by panzermk2
Oldbindlestiff wrote:Never had any problems with FedEx overnight. Ground? Well, they really aren't FedEx are they? FedEx bought the Roadway Package System, which was a bunch of local contractors masquerading as a "system", to compete head-on with UPS. Still a bunch of subs hereabouts. YMMV No problem here to ship ammo with either UPS or FedEx.

Ammo MUST be shipped ground!!!!!!!!

I take FEDEX over UPS any day!


FEDEX drivers own their routes, give a <profanity> WAY more then UPS drivers. You are dealing with a small business owner who is selling customer service. Our FEDEX drivers go up and beyond to work with including coming back a second time well after 5pm for emergency package that still needs to get out.

Re: Shipping ammo - use UPS, NOT FEDEX

Posted: 14 Jan 2015, 00:12
by blueorison
MikeSantor wrote:I honestly believe it has a lot to do with where you live and the people working at the offices in those locations. for instance, EA hates USPS with a passion. I mean literally, there was voices being raised when talking about them. I on the other hand, have shipped probably 500 packages easily with them in my short time on this earth and they are always fast and cheap.

Then again you also have statistic with quantity. someone that ships 500 packages a month may see more problems with a company than someone that ships 500 packages in a lifetime...

.02
Dead on.

It has to do a lot with where you go.

You can easily go to different FEDEX locations and get different stories on what they are and aren't allowed to do. Some of it is legit, a lot is employee BS.

I've been to 3 here, in Austin. Probably more. UPS, also. Always get different stories. Got tired of it.

Re: Shipping ammo - use UPS, NOT FEDEX

Posted: 14 Jan 2015, 17:46
by Oldbindlestiff
Jay, I know that ammo must go ground. I was pointing out that in my area, the "local" FedEx operators aren't worth the fuel they burn to make deliveries. BUT, it is possible that in another location serviced by a different contractor, the service would be excellent. Surprisingly, the rural USPS contractors have been reliable, with a few exceptions. Go figure. In this area both UPS and FedEx ground also use "Smartpost" (USPS fulfillment) extensively. That works, unless you have a delivery exception and end up with a FedEx tracking number which USPS can't track either.

It has been a while since I was a high volume shipper. My sympathies to anyone who is and has to cope with three non-interoperable systems. <rant mode: off>

Re: Shipping ammo - use UPS, NOT FEDEX

Posted: 14 Jan 2015, 19:39
by Buffman
I can say our FedEx driver(s) are pretty shady with the must be delievered by XX time. They like to sign our receiving guy's name before the time, and then the package shows up after said time... Gotta love that.

Re: Shipping ammo - use UPS, NOT FEDEX

Posted: 14 Jan 2015, 21:25
by panzermk2
The find out who owns the route and go to them, after going to FEDEX corp with proof.


Get Corp involved with proof and they will make thing uncomfortable for that route owner.

Re: Shipping ammo - use UPS, NOT FEDEX

Posted: 15 Jan 2015, 20:29
by Rapier1772
I got a reply back from FedEx:
Dear Mr. Me:
We received your e-mail. Thank you for contacting FedEx.
FedEx Ground will transport firearms (excluding handguns) and small-arms ammunition in certain circumstances, but a number of restrictions apply. For more information on what can be shipped, and who can ship it, please see the firearm and ammunition information on our Web site: http://www.fedex.com/us/services/ground ... rmsus.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
For further assistance, you may also call our FedEx Customer Service at 1.800.Go.FedEx. Our representatives are available 24 hours a day, and can provide information on rates, delivery commitments, commodities, document requirements and other key global shipping details.
FedEx is proud to be your global shipper, and we look forward to our opportunity to serve you.
Jose Mari M.
FedEx Customer Service
Click or copy/paste the link & it takes you here:
Image
In other words (IMO), they don't even know what they're doing.

Re: Shipping ammo - use UPS, NOT FEDEX

Posted: 16 Jan 2015, 06:06
by kfeltenberger
Rapier1772 wrote: In other words (IMO), they don't even know what they're doing.
Most likely the customer service documentation has the link and they copied and pasted the text. My tech and cs people did that when I was a supervisor at an ISP because many of the questions generated similar answers.

Re: Shipping ammo - use UPS, NOT FEDEX

Posted: 16 Jan 2015, 10:58
by Rapier1772
So they auto generated a response which doesn't have a functioning link?
Opinion still stands.



BTW, cool avatar :thumb:

Re: Shipping ammo - use UPS, NOT FEDEX

Posted: 16 Jan 2015, 11:16
by kfeltenberger
No, someone probably wrote the response, it's just that their materials may not have been updated. If the web team made a change and broke the link, chances are no one would find out until they went there on their own. We had to deal with this a lot.