Afternoon Chaps,

Had a couple of people ask me about posting guns, how to package them and how much it costs.

Well, For 3 to 5 days standard parcels postage that works out at £12 and for next day special delivery around £23 with the Royal Mail. When listing what the package contains I always state 'Sporting Goods' to avoid too much interest in them, despite the fact that it's perfectly legal, some people may react badly to handling a rifle at the post office. If the post office staff they do not carry airguns, you can remind them that they have to carry guns as ruled by Postcomm.

Postcomm ruled that Royal Mail must carry airguns.

Royal Mail must carry airguns via Special delivery or Standard parcels as long as they are properly packed and within the size limits.

Parcelforce is exempt from the ruling and do NOT have to carry airguns unless you are an account holder.

Size and Weight limits for Royal Mail special delivery. W=460mm D=460mm L=610mm Some post offices enforce the length 610mm limit and some don't.

Size and Weight limits for Royal Mail standard parcels.
You can send parcels up to 20kg in weight. Parcels must be no longer than 1.5 metres, and the combined length and girth of your item must not exceed 3m.

If you use any other service than Royal mail Special delivery or Standard parcels you may have problems claiming on insurance if they find out it was a gun.

Parcelforce do NOT knowingly carry guns, although owned by Royalmail they do not have to abide by the same rules. So if you send a gun by Parcelforce it will not be insured.

No courier company will knowingly carry guns, if you send a gun via courier it will not be insured and if they find out it's a gun they won't deliver it.



To package the guns I use the following


  • 1 or 2 medium sized cardboard boxes
  • Bubble wrap and / or shredded paper
  • Black bin liners
  • Loads of heavy duty tape
  • Tesco carrier bags (doesn't need to be Tesco's )




I start by packing the scope with paper or bubble wrap then cover it with a bag and tape down







Next I lay an opened out cardboard box and lay some paper in it, place the gun inside, I then fold the edges up and tape in place and fill tighty with more paper



I then get a 2nd box and fold this over the first and tape up tight



Once taped up nice and tight I place bin bags round for waterproofing and security, and tape the postage labels and the job is done






I hope this is of help to some of you guys

This is my own advice, not that of the forum, any action you take after reading this you do at your own risk.

(mods please move to where you feel this post is best placed)