Shipping Firearms & Ammunition
Federal rules and carrier requirements for shipping firearms, firearm parts, ammunition, and NFA firearms through UPS, FedEx, and USPS.
Nonlicensees, FFLs & Shipping Carriers
Nonlicensee: An individual shipping a firearm who does not hold an FFL.
FFL: A federally licensed manufacturer, importer, dealer, collector, or other licensed firearms business operating within its authorized activities.
Common or contract carrier: A shipping company such as UPS or FedEx.
Mailable: An item that USPS permits to be sent through the United States Postal Service. For firearms, the type of firearm, sender, recipient, unloaded condition, packaging, and applicable postal requirements determine whether the firearm is mailable.
Firearm Parts: Under federal law, barrels, stocks, braces, handguards, grips, triggers, springs, sights, optics, magazines, and muzzle brakes are not firearms by themselves. Firearms under federal law include regulated frames and receivers, silencers and regulated silencer components, and machine-gun conversion devices. Certain unfinished frames, receivers, and parts kits are also classified as firearms under federal law.
Unregistered: An NFA firearm that is not recorded in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. Completing ATF Form 4473 does not register a firearm under the NFA.
Shipping Firearms Is Legal When All Requirements Are Met
Firearms, firearm parts, and ammunition may be shipped only when the transaction, packaging, destination, and shipping method comply with state and federal laws and the selected carrier's policies.
When To Use An FFL
A licensed dealer can assist with lawful shipping for interstate transfers, repairs, returns to manufacturers, gunsmith work, Cerakote, stippling, optics cuts, milling, machining, and similar services when:
- The firearm is a handgun, frame, receiver, or an NFA firearm, which still includes silencers, short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs), Any Other Weapons (AOWs), machine guns, or destructive devices.
- Shipping to an out-of-state buyer's receiving FFL.
- Shipping for gunsmith or armorer work, returning a firearm to its manufacturer for repair, or shipping to a business performing firearm customization.
Shipping Guidance
Shipping Firearms Under Federal Law
A nonlicensee may ship a firearm directly to an FFL in any state. Federal law does not require another FFL to ship it. Contact the receiving FFL for its shipping requirements.
A nonlicensee may ship a firearm to themselves in another state for lawful activities. Another lawful individual may hold the package but cannot open it. This includes moving to another state, subject to the destination state's laws, including firearm and magazine capacity restrictions.
Certain antique firearms are excluded from the Gun Control Act's firearm definition, including qualifying firearms manufactured in or before 1898 and qualifying replicas.
Parts that are not firearms under federal law may be shipped without an FFL when the shipment complies with applicable law and the carrier accepts the item.
State Shipping Restrictions
Federal law does not override state firearm, ammunition, magazine, or firearm-part shipping restrictions. Some states require dealer delivery, purchaser verification, or prohibit certain items. For example, California requires most sales or transfers of unattached firearm barrels to be completed through a licensed California firearm dealer. Check the destination state's laws before shipping.
Federal Restrictions
- A nonlicensee cannot ship a firearm directly to an individual who resides in another state for an ordinary private transfer. The receiving FFL must complete the applicable transfer process before delivering the firearm to the buyer or transferee.
- The firearm and transaction must comply with the destination state's laws.
- Federal law requires notice to a common or contract carrier in specified firearm shipments and prohibits outside package markings identifying the contents as a firearm.
ATF — NFA Firearm Shipping
- ATF's October 9, 2026 nationwide nonenforcement policy does not remove silencers, SBRs, SBSs, or AOWs from the NFA. ATF has currently chosen not to enforce specific NFA provisions involving interstate transportation of NFA firearms. Federal transfer restrictions, state laws, and carrier requirements still apply.
- Interstate transportation of an SBR or SBS requires prior ATF authorization on Form 5320.20, including unregistered SBRs and SBSs. This can be completed by mailing a paper form or online through ATF eForms.
- Machine guns and destructive devices remain subject to their applicable NFA interstate transportation requirements.
Shipping Carrier Policies
USPS — Firearms & Ammunition
Allowed USPS Shipments
Firearms — Nonlicensee
- A nonlicensee may mail an unloaded, mailable rifle or shotgun directly to an FFL in any state. The receiving FFL must agree to accept the shipment. Use secure packaging and a service with tracking and signature capture.
- A nonlicensee may mail an unloaded, mailable rifle or shotgun to themselves in another state for lawful activities. A person holding the package for the nonlicensee must not open the package.
- Parts that are not firearms under federal law, including stocks, handguards, sights, grips, triggers, and certain barrels, may be mailed when permitted by the destination state's laws.
- Certain nonfirearm air guns may be mailed when applicable postal, adult-signature, and state-law requirements are met.
Firearms — FFL Dealer
- Unloaded, mailable handguns, rifles, and shotguns may be mailed between authorized FFL dealers, manufacturers, and importers under the applicable USPS requirements. An FFL may also receive a qualifying rifle or shotgun mailed directly by a nonlicensee.
Ammunition
- Empty, unprimed cartridge cases and shotgun hulls may be mailable when compliant with USPS requirements.
USPS Restrictions & NFA Firearms
Ammunition cannot be mailed with a firearm.
- Nonlicensees cannot mail handguns.
- Firearms must be unloaded; USPS may request inspection or certification. Outer packaging cannot identify the contents as a firearm.
- Loaded small-arms ammunition, primers, blank cartridges, and regulated propellant powders are nonmailable.
- Regulated frames, receivers, silencers, regulated silencer components, and machine-gun conversion devices are firearms under federal law and are subject to applicable USPS firearm mailing restrictions.
- ATF's October 9, 2026 nonenforcement policy does not change USPS restrictions. Concealable SBRs and SBSs remain nonmailable under postal rules. Mailing other NFA firearms depends on postal classification, sender, recipient, and federal authorization.
- Interstate transportation of an SBR or SBS requires prior ATF authorization on Form 5320.20.
- State restrictions also apply. California requires most unattached firearm barrel transfers to be completed through a California FFL; other states restrict particular firearms, parts, and magazines.
USPS Publication 52
USPS Publication 52 — Hazardous Materials
Section 123: Harmful and hazardous materials that could damage people, mail, or postal property are restricted or nonmailable unless an express exception applies.
Section 341: Explosives are divided into Hazard Classes 1.1 through 1.6 according to mass-explosion, projection, fire, and sensitivity hazards.
- 1.1: Mass explosion hazard.
- 1.2: Projection hazard without mass explosion.
- 1.3: Fire hazard with minor blast or projection hazard.
- 1.4: Minor explosion hazard, including certain small-arms ammunition.
- 1.5: Very insensitive substances with mass-explosion hazard.
- 1.6: Extremely insensitive articles without mass-explosion hazard.
Nonmailable: Fireworks, specified fuses, small-arms ammunition, associated primers, blank cartridges, and regulated firearm propellant powder.
Potentially mailable: Empty unprimed casings and shotgun hulls when compliant with applicable requirements.
USPS Publication 52 — Firearm Definitions
Section 431.1: Defines firearms for postal purposes.
Section 431.2: Covers handguns and concealable firearms, including certain short-barreled configurations.
Section 431.3: Provides USPS antique-firearm definitions, including qualifying pre-1899 firearms and specified muzzleloaders.
Section 431.4: Defines postal rifles and shotguns as qualifying shoulder weapons with barrels at least 16 inches for rifles or 18 inches for shotguns and an overall length of at least 26 inches.
Section 431.5: Defines qualifying FFL manufacturers, dealers, importers, and collectors.
Section 431.6: Defines air guns, including specified compressed-air, pellet, and paintball guns.
USPS Publication 52 — Mailability
Section 432.1: Mailers must comply with federal and state firearm laws, postal requirements, and packaging rules. USPS may ask to inspect or receive certification that a firearm is unloaded. A concealable SBR or SBS is nonmailable. Outer package markings may not identify a firearm.
Section 432.2: Handguns and other concealable firearms are nonmailable except within specified authorized classes.
Section 432.21: Identifies government recipients whose official duties permit certain handgun mailings, including specified military officers, National Guard officers, government enforcement officers, guards of government property, and designated purchasing agents.
Section 432.22: Covers the recipient affidavit and required certification for qualifying official-duty handgun mailings.
Sections 432.23–432.24: Address handgun shipments between authorized manufacturers, dealers, and importers and the required shipper certification, including PS Form 1508 when applicable.
Air guns: Certain nonfirearm air guns are mailable subject to applicable adult-signature and state-law conditions.
Parts: Parts that are not firearms under federal law may be mailable. Regulated frames, receivers, silencers, regulated silencer components, and machine-gun conversion devices are subject to firearm mailing restrictions.
UPS — Firearms & Ammunition
Allowed UPS Shipments
Firearms — Nonlicensee
- A nonlicensee may return a firearm through UPS when an approved FFL shipper provides a prepaid shipping label under its authorized UPS firearm-shipping agreement. The shipment must comply with the approved return destination, UPS service, and packaging requirements.
Firearms — FFL Dealer
- UPS accepts firearms and firearm parts only from approved FFL or other specifically authorized shippers under a UPS firearm-products agreement. The agreement determines permitted recipients and services.
- Approved FFL shippers may provide return labels to customers under their agreements.
Ammunition — Quantity, Packaging & Shipping
- Maximum package weight: 66 lb (30 kg). For limited-quantity small-arms ammunition, rifle and pistol cartridges must not exceed .50 caliber (12.7 mm), and shotgun shells must not exceed 8 gauge. UPS does not publish a fixed cartridge-count limit; the 66 lb limit applies to the complete package.
- Shipping service: UPS Ground within the 48 contiguous states, UPS Ground Intra-Oahu, and UPS Ground Intra-Alaska. These limited-quantity shipments do not require hazardous-material shipping papers or an additional hazardous-material handling fee.
- Packaging: Use a new corrugated box meeting UPS box-strength guidelines. Keep cartridges secured in inner boxes, partitions, or metal clips that fit snugly within the outer box. Close and seal the outer package securely.
- Marking: Place the black-and-white Limited Quantity diamond on the outside of the package, approximately 4 inches by 4 inches, as required by UPS.
- Pickup: Use a UPS Scheduled Pickup Account and an authorized UPS pickup service.
- Drop-off: UPS also accepts eligible ammunition shipments at UPS Customer Centers located at UPS operational facilities.
- Other permitted hazardous-material shipments require the appropriate shipping agreement and documentation.
UPS Restrictions & NFA Firearms
Ammunition must be shipped separately from firearms. It cannot be included in a firearm package.
- Nonlicensees cannot independently purchase UPS firearm shipping labels. They may use only approved return labels provided under an authorized shipper's agreement.
- UPS does not accept machine guns or other automatic weapons, international firearm or firearm-part shipments, or packages of firearm parts that can be assembled into a complete firearm.
- Firearms must be marked and serialized as required by federal law. Packages must not identify the contents as firearm products.
- Firearm shipments require Adult Signature Required and Direct Delivery Only. Handguns require an approved UPS Next Day Air service.
- Ammunition cannot be dropped off at The UPS Store, UPS Access Points, third-party retailers, or UPS Drop Boxes. UPS does not accept ammunition for international shipment or shipment to individuals under age 18.
- Silencers and other NFA firearms are firearm products under UPS rules and require an approved shipping agreement. Interstate transportation of an SBR or SBS requires prior ATF authorization on Form 5320.20.
- Destination-state restrictions apply. Some firearm parts, magazines, and ammunition cannot be shipped to certain states or require dealer delivery.
UPS Inspection, Claims & Refusal
UPS may inspect shipments, verify shipper identity and address, refuse transportation, or intercept shipments that violate the tariff, contract, or law. Noncompliant firearm shipments may be ineligible for loss or damage claims and may be handled under UPS enforcement procedures.
UPS's tariff also addresses claims, limitations of liability, and dispute-resolution requirements. Use the published current tariff for the full contractual terms.
UPS Firearm Shipping UPS Ammunition UPS TariffFedEx — Firearms & Ammunition
Allowed FedEx Shipments
Firearms — Nonlicensee
FedEx does not authorize nonlicensees to independently ship firearms.
Firearms — FFL Dealer
- Approved FFL customers with a FedEx Firearms Shipping Compliance Agreement may ship eligible firearms. Authorized federal, state, and local government agencies may also use applicable services.
- FedEx accepts certain firearms, antique firearms, replica firearms, muzzleloaders, and black-powder firearms from approved shippers.
- Handguns must be shipped by an approved FFL using an authorized FedEx Express service, such as FedEx First Overnight, Priority Overnight, Standard Overnight, or FedEx 2Day, only when that service is authorized by the FFL's Firearms Shipping Compliance Agreement. FedEx requires Adult Signature Required or Direct Signature Required.
Ammunition — Quantity, Packaging & Shipping
- Maximum limited-quantity package weight: 66 lb (30 kg), including the packaging. The ammunition must meet the applicable small-arms ammunition classification and packaging rules.
- Shipping service: Authorized FedEx Ground hazardous-materials service within the 48 contiguous states. Limited-quantity hazardous-material shipments cannot be sent to, from, or within Alaska or Hawaii through FedEx Ground.
- Account approval: FedEx Ground hazardous-material shipments require an approved account with hazardous-material shipping privileges. Contact a FedEx account executive or FedEx Customer Service at 1-800-463-3339.
- Packaging: Ammunition must be correctly classified, secured in suitable inner packaging, packed in a strong outer shipping box, and prepared in accordance with applicable DOT and FedEx requirements.
- Marking: Apply the correct black-and-white Limited Quantity diamond to qualifying FedEx Ground ammunition packages. Other hazardous-material classifications require their applicable labels and shipping documentation.
- Pickup: Schedule a FedEx driver pickup from the approved shipper's location. The package must be ready and properly labeled before the driver arrives.
- Drop-off: FedEx does not accept outgoing ammunition shipments at FedEx Office, FedEx Ship Centers, FedEx Authorized ShipCenters, FedEx OnSite locations, FedEx Drop Boxes, or other retail drop-off locations.
FedEx Restrictions & NFA Firearms
Firearms and ammunition cannot be packaged together.
- FedEx does not accept firearm shipments from nonlicensees or FFLs without an approved compliance agreement.
- Firearms must be unloaded, secured in appropriate packaging, and shipped with Adult Signature Required or Direct Signature Required.
- Handguns are prohibited in FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery shipments. Approved FFL shippers must use a FedEx Express service authorized by their compliance agreement.
- Ammunition cannot be dropped off at FedEx retail or shipping locations. It must be tendered through an authorized FedEx driver pickup. Limited-quantity packages are restricted to 66 lb (30 kg), properly packaged and marked for the applicable service.
- FedEx restricts specified products, including bump-fire stocks, certain rapid-fire trigger activators, unserialized frames or receivers, 3D-printed firearms, and equipment designed specifically to produce firearms.
- NFA firearms require an approved FFL and carrier authorization for the specific item. Interstate transportation of an SBR or SBS requires prior ATF authorization on Form 5320.20.
- Destination-state restrictions apply. Some firearm parts, magazines, and ammunition cannot be shipped to certain states or require dealer delivery.
FedEx Freight Rules — Effective January 6, 2026
FFL firearm shippers require an approved compliance agreement. Shipping approval and accepted product categories depend on the current FedEx contract and service terms.
FedEx may refuse, intercept, or hold shipments that do not meet its policies and may deny shipping claims for violations.
FedEx Firearm Shipping FedEx Hazardous Materials Shipping FedEx Freight Rules Tariff FedEx Service Guide