TTAG reader JF writes:
So I submitted an inquiry via the UPS web portal on how to obtain the “exemption” to the general prohibition on shipping silencers. I received an auto response promising that my inquiry would be answered within four hours. Of course, that did not happen. I pinged the support ticket system again. I finally got a response that my account rep would contact me. Another 48 hours . . .
A UPS account rep calls me and we play a little telephone tag. Finally get to speak to him. He has no idea how to get me the exemption.
I explain that I am a licensed manufacturer with an SOT (Special Occupational Taxpayers) that allows me to lawfully transact these items. He says that he can appreciate, but he doesn’t know how to do what the PR VP you quoted said could be done. [UPS: Why We Ban Silencer Shipments, Generally].
The rep said he’d kick it up the chain of command. Yesterday, I get an email from him. I am cutting and pasting so as to not lose any nuance:
Dear Jeff,
Notwithstanding UPS’s published policy (see https://www.ups.com/content/
us/en/resources/ship/ ), I wanted to let you know that UPS will continue to accept your shipments containing firearm silencers or mufflers, on the condition that your company assume full responsibility for ensuring that such shipments comply with all applicable laws (which we know you have already been doing).packaging/guidelines/firearms. html
We are preparing a simple agreement to document this exception to UPS policy, which we will send in the near future. In the meantime, please respond to this email at your earliest convenience to confirm that your company agrees to comply with all legal restrictions applicable to these packages, including that you will not tender firearm silencers or mufflers for delivery to states where these shipments are prohibited.
We apologize for any inconvenience that the confusion over silencer/muffler shipments may have caused. We greatly value your business and our relationship with you.
The net is this: keep on doing what you have always done. We’ll get you a document to give you an official okey dokey to do what I just told you to do.
I’m debating on whether or not to push for the same “exemption” to their policy on machine guns. After all, I can and do ship them in full compliance with the law and if they grant an exception for one type of firearm. Why not another…? [image courtesy becauseguns.com]