I'm told Royal Mail handles guns internal to the UK, but not external. UPS will not handle guns internationally. A pre-1898 gun is an antique in the USA and not subject BATF or Form 6. However, it is still a gun in the UK and, so, UPS will not pick it up for international shipment. To date, the antiques I've brought in required I take the paper work to Customs where the serials were checked against their list. Papers were stamped and the freight company gave me my package.