Shipping Firearms & Ammunition

IMPORTANT:

If you do not have an FFL we highly recommend contacting your local firearms dealer to ship a firearm or firearm parts for you. This may cost more than shipping it yourself, and include a transfer fee, but if you do not follow UPS policies you are risking the possibility of having your shipment intercepted and held as described in the UPS Tariff/Terms and Conditions of Service. In addition, you will not be eligible to regain a refund or compensation for the loss or damage to your firearm.

• At this time, to ship firearms or firearm parts using United Parcel Service (UPS), you must have a Federal Firearms License (FFL) AND have an approved UPS agreement.
• Shipping ammunition does not require having an FFL.

“Shipments containing Firearm Products are accepted for transportation only from shippers who are federally licensed and have an approved UPS agreement for the transportation of Firearm Products.”

UPS® Tariff/Terms and Conditions of Service – United States

6. Right of Inspection

UPS reserves the right in its sole and unlimited discretion to open and inspect any Shipment tendered to it for transportation, but is not required to do so.

7. Refusal of Service

UPS reserves the right to refuse to provide service, among other reasons, for any Shipment which by reason of the dangerous or other character of its contents may,
in the sole judgment of UPS, soil, taint or otherwise damage other Shipments or UPS’s equipment, or which is improperly or insecurely packed or wrapped, as determined by UPS in its sole judgment.
Before accepting any Shipment, UPS reserves the right to require sufficient verification, as determined by UPS in its sole and unlimited discretion, of the Shipper’s name and address, or any other information necessary to accept the Shipment for service. UPS reserves the right to refuse to provide service for any Shipment or to or from any location, or to provide alternative service arrangements, or to intercept, hold or return any Shipment when, among other reasons, UPS, in its sole and unlimited discretion, determines that it is unsafe or economically or operationally impracticable to provide service, that its services are being used in violation of federal, state, or local law, or for fraudulent purposes, or when the account of the person or entity responsible for payment is not in good standing.

53. Claims and Legal Actions:
Individual Binding Arbitration of Claims
Click on the link above to view this information

54. Responsibility for Loss or Damage
Click on the link above to view this information

IMPORTANT:

If you do not have an FFL we highly recommend contacting your local firearms dealer to ship a firearm or firearm parts for you. This may cost more than shipping it yourself, and include a transfer fee, but if you do not follow Fed Ex policies you are risking the possibility of having your shipment intercepted and held as described in the FedEx Freight 100-V Rules Tariff. In addition, you will not be eligible to regain a refund or compensation for the loss or damage to your firearm.

Shippers with a Federal Firearm License
Only customers holding a Federal Firearms License (FFL) and federal, state, or local government agencies may ship firearms with FedEx. Customers holding an FFL must enter into an approved FedEx Firearms Shipping Compliance Agreement before shipping any firearms with FedEx. Also, you must be an approved firearm shipper with a signed contract on file with FedEx. For more information, contact your FedEx account executive.

Nonlicensee shippers
Nonlicensees are prohibited from shipping firearms with FedEx.

FedEx Freight
100-V Rules Tariff

780

EFFECTIVE: JANUARY 2, 2023
Item 780
PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED ARTICLES

2. Firearms:

1. Only customers holding a Federal Firearms License (FFL) and federal, state, or local government agencies may ship firearms with FedEx.
   Customers holding an FFL must enter into an approved FedEx Firearms Shipping Compliance Agreement before shipping any firearms with
   FedEx. For more information, contact your FedEx account executive.
2. On behalf of customers holding an FFL who enter into an approved FedEx Firearms Shipping Compliance Agreement and federal, state, or local
   government agencies, Carrier will transport and deliver firearms, antique firearms, and replica firearms, all as defined by the United States Gun
   Control Act of 1968, as well as muzzleloaders and black powder firearms (collectively “firearms”).
3. Carrier will transport small-arms ammunition when packed and labeled in compliance with local, state, and federal law, and the Hazardous
   Materials section of the FedEx Service Guide. Ammunition is an explosive and must be shipped separately as hazardous materials or limited
   quantities. Shipper agrees not to ship loaded firearms or firearms with ammunition in the same package or on the same pallet.

3. Hazardous Materials:

1. All shipments containing hazardous materials must be properly classified, described, packaged, marked, labeled and in proper condition
   for transportation according to applicable regulations and requirements. Carrier accepts only certain hazardous materials as listed in the
   current copy of the Shipping Hazardous Materials Guide, which is incorporated herein by reference. Carrier does not accept for transportation
   hazardous waste and biohazards such as blood, urine, fluids and other noninfectious diagnostic specimens. All items classified as hazardous
   materials are prohibited on shipments to, from and within Mexico regardless of quantity.
   Shipper is prohibited from tendering the following items for shipment, and they will not be accepted:

1. Explosives, Canada – Import from U.S. – (Division 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5).
2. Explosives, Domestic – (Division 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5).
3. Explosives, Mexico – (All classes and divisions).
4. More than 100 pounds of NA3178, Smokeless Powder for small arms on any transport vehicle.
5. More than 100 pounds of NA0027, Black Powder for small arms on any transport vehicle.

4. Prohibited Items:

Shipper is prohibited from tendering the following items for shipment except for antique furniture described in NMFC Items 100240 or 100250,
or pictures or paintings described in Items 100240, 100250, or 56165; the following property will not be accepted for shipment nor as premiums
accompanying other articles:

1. Firearms not specifically listed in the Firearms section herein, including, but not limited to:

1. Bump fire stocks and other rapid-fire trigger activators.
2. Ghost guns and other firearms, frames, or receivers not containing a serial number, including, but not limited to, items that are designed to or may readily be completed, assembled, restored, or otherwise converted to function as a frame or receiver, as defined in 27 CFR 478.12.
3. Any firearm or other weapon manufactured using a 3D printing machine.
4. 3D printing machines designed or that function exclusively to manufacture firearms.

IMPORTANT:

If you do not have an FFL we highly recommend contacting your local firearms dealer to ship a firearm or firearm parts for you. This may cost more than shipping it yourself, and include a transfer fee, but if you do not follow United States Postal Service (USPS) policies you are risking the possibility of having your shipment intercepted and held, you will not be eligible to regain a refund or compensation for the loss or damage to your firearm.

Handguns

Only Federal Firearms License (FFL) holders can ship unloaded handguns through USPS. Pistols, revolvers, and other firearms capable of being concealed on the person (for example, short-barreled shotguns and short-barreled rifles) are defined as handguns.

Rifles & Shotguns

Any lawful person may ship unloaded rifles and/or shotguns using USPS.

Ammunition

Ammunition includes all kinds of bombs, grenades, rockets, mines, projectiles, and other similar devices or contrivances. Ammunition is a Class 1 explosive and is nonmailable.

All Shipments Must Be In Compliance With USPS Policies Below

Publication 52 – Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail > 1 Introduction > 12 Scope > 123 Mailability Premise

123 Mailability Premise

123.3 Harmful Matter — General
Except as provided in this publication, any article, composition, or material is nonmailable if it can kill or injure another or injure the mail or other property. Harmful matter includes, but is not limited to:

123.4 Hazardous Materials
Harmful matter also includes regulated hazardous materials that are likely to harm USPS employees or to destroy, deface, or otherwise damage mail or postal equipment. This includes materials such as caustic poisons (acids and alkalis), oxidizers, or highly flammable liquids, gases, or solids; or materials that are likely, under conditions incident to transportation, to cause fires through friction, absorption of moisture, or spontaneous chemical changes or from retained heat from manufacturing or processing, including explosives or containers previously used for shipping high explosives with a liquid ingredient (such as dynamite), ammunition, fireworks, radioactive materials, matches, or articles emitting obnoxious odors.

Appendix D
Hazardous Materials Definitions

Ammunition includes all kinds of bombs, grenades, rockets, mines, projectiles, and other similar devices or contrivances. Ammunition is a Class 1 explosive and is nonmailable.

Publication 52 – Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail > 3 Hazardous Materials > 34 Mailability by Hazard Class

34 Mailability by Hazard Class

341 Explosives (Hazard Class 1)
341.1 Definition

An explosive is any substance or article, including a device, that is designed to function by explosion (an extremely rapid release of gas and heat) or that, by chemical reaction within itself, is able to function in a similar manner even if not designed to function by explosion, unless the substance or article is otherwise classed under the provisions in 49 CFR.

341.11 Class 1 Divisions

Hazard Class 1 has six divisions as follows:

1. Division 1.1 consists of explosives that have a mass explosion hazard. Examples are black powder, nitroglycerine (desensitized), dynamite, most types of torpedoes, and mercury fulminate.
2. Division 1.2 consists of explosives that have a projection hazard but not a mass explosion hazard. Examples are certain types of fireworks, some types of detonating fuses, and some types of ammunition.
3. Division 1.3 consists of explosives that have a fire hazard and either a minor blast or minor projection hazard or both, but not a mass explosion hazard. Examples are sodium picramate, some liquid and solid propellants, and some rocket motors.
4. Division 1.4 consists of explosives that present a minor blast hazard. Examples are common fireworks, toy caps, empty primed grenades, and some small arms ammunition.
5. Division 1.5 consists of very insensitive explosives that have a mass explosion hazard. Examples are type E blasting agents, some type B blasting agents, and very insensitive explosive substances.
6. Division 1.6 consists of extremely insensitive articles that do not have a mass explosion hazard.

341.21 Nonmailable Explosives

Nonmailable explosives found in the mailstream must be immediately reported in accordance with POM 139.117.
Nonmailable explosives include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Common Fireworks. Fireworks are classified as Division 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, or 1.4 explosives depending on the degree of hazard. Fireworks include roman candles, skyrockets, helicopter–type rockets, cylindrical and cone fountains, pyrotechnic wheels, illuminating torches, firecrackers, salutes, and combinations of items that are designed to produce any of the aforementioned types of effects. All types of fireworks are prohibited from mailing.
2. Fuses. Fuses are classified as Division 1.3 or 1.4 explosives depending on the degree of hazard. All types of fuses (except safety fuses as permitted under 341.22) are prohibited from mailing.
3. Small Arms Ammunition. Ammunition is classified as a Division 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, or 1.4 explosive, depending on the degree of hazard. Ammunition that is regulated as a Class 1 explosive and designed to be fired from a pistol, revolver, rifle, or shotgun, as well as associated primers and blank cartridges (including those designed for tools) and propellant powder for use in any firearm, is prohibited from mailing.

341.22 Mailable Explosives

The following specific types of explosives may be mailed only when the applicable conditions are met. Full responsibility rests with the mailer to comply with Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) regulations before mailing.

Shotgun Hulls, Empty Casings, Nonmetallic Shotgun Hulls, or Casings Without Primers. These articles are not classified as explosives or hazardous materials under 49 CFR and, therefore, are mailable subject to the applicable mailing rules (see 227).

Publication 52 – Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail > 4 Restricted Matter >

43 Firearms
431 Definitions

431.1 Firearm

The following definitions apply:
a. Firearm means any device, including a starter gun, which will, or is designed to, or may readily be converted to, expel a projectile by the action of an explosive; the frame or receiver of any such weapon; any firearm muffler or firearm silencer; or any destructive device; but the term shall not include antique firearms (except antique firearms meeting the description of a handgun or of a firearm capable of being concealed on a person).
b. Firearm frame or receiver is the part of a firearm which provides housing for the hammer, bolt or breechblock, and firing mechanism, and which is usually threaded at its forward portion to receive the barrel. Frames and receivers usually (but not always) include the firearm serial number and are usually considered to be the regulated component of a firearm.

431.2 Handguns

Pistols, revolvers, and other firearms capable of being concealed on the person (for example, short-barreled shotguns and short-barreled rifles) are defined as handguns. The following definitions apply:
a. Handgun (including pistols and revolvers) means any firearm which has a short stock, and is designed to be held and fired by the use of a single hand and subject to 431.1, or a combination of parts from which a handgun can be assembled.
b. Other firearms capable of being concealed on the person include, but are not limited to, short-barreled shotguns and short-barreled rifles.
c. Short-barreled shotgun means a shotgun that has one or more barrels less than 18 inches long. The term short-barreled rifle means a rifle that has one or more barrels that are less than 16 inches long. These definitions include any weapon made from a shotgun or rifle, whether by alteration, modification, or otherwise, if such a weapon as modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches. A short-barreled shotgun or rifle of greater dimension may be regarded as nonmailable when it has characteristics to allow concealment on the person.

431.3 Antique Firearm

Antique firearm means any muzzle loading rifle/shotgun/pistol, which is designed to use black powder or a black powder substitute, and which cannot use fixed ammunition (except those that incorporate a firearm frame or receiver, any firearm which is converted into a muzzle loading weapon, or any muzzle loading weapon which can be readily converted to fire fixed ammunition by replacing the barrel, bolt, breechblock, or any combination thereof); or any firearm (including those with a matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap, or similar type of ignition system) manufactured on or before 1898, or any replica thereof, if such replica:
a. Is not designed or redesigned for using rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition.
b. Uses rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition that is no longer manufactured in the United States and is not readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade.

431.4 Rifles and Shotguns

A rifle is a shoulder weapon having a barrel that is 16 inches or more in length. A shotgun is a shoulder weapon having a barrel that is 18 inches or more in length. Rifles and shotguns have an overall length of 26 inches or greater and cannot be concealed on a person.

431.5 Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL)

Federal Firearms licenses are issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), U.S. Department of the Treasury, under the Gun Control Act of 1968, and are defined as follows:
a. Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) manufacturer, dealer, or importer of firearms means a manufacturer, dealer, or importer duly licensed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) under Chapter 44, Title 18, United States Code (U.S.C.).
b. Curio and relic collector means an individual licensed by ATF to transfer or receive only those firearms defined as curios or relics by ATF under Title 27, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), section 478.11.

431.6 Air Guns

Air gun means a gun that fires a projectile by means of compressed air or other gas (including paintball and pellet guns).

Publication 52 – Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail > 4 Restricted Matter > 43 Firearms > 432 Mailability

432.1 General

Mailers must comply with the Gun Control Act of 1968, all of the provisions of postal law in 18 U.S.C. 1715, and all other all federal and state regulations and local ordinances affecting the movement of firearms. The following also applies:
a. The Postal Service may require the mailer to open parcels containing firearms or air guns or give written certification that the weapon is unloaded and not concealable.
b. Short-barreled rifles or shotguns that can be concealed on the person are nonmailable.
c. No markings of any kind that indicate the nature of the contents may be placed on the outside wrapper or container of any mailpiece containing firearms.
d. Mailable matter must be properly and securely packaged within the general packaging requirements in DMM 601.1-7.

432.2 Handguns

Handguns and other firearms capable of being concealed on the person are nonmailable unless mailed between the parties listed in this section, after the filing of an affidavit or statement described in 432.22 or 432.24, and are subject to the following:
a. Firearms meeting the definition of a handgun under 431.2 and the definition of curios or relics under 27 CFR 478.11 may be mailed between curio and relic collectors only when those firearms also meet the definition of an antique firearm under 431.3.
b. Firearms meeting the definition of a handgun under 431.2, which are certified by the curator of a municipal, state, or federal museum that exhibits firearms to be curios or relics of museum interest, may be accepted for mailing without regard to the restrictions provided for handguns in Exhibit 432.25 and in 432.21 through 432.24.
c. Air guns that do not fall within the definition of firearms under 431.1 that are capable of being concealed on a person are mailable, but must include adult signature service under DMM 503.9.0. Mailers must comply with all applicable state and local regulations.
d. Parts of handguns are mailable, except for handgun frames, receivers or other parts or components regulated under Chapter 44, Title 18, U.S.C.
e. Mailers are also subject to applicable restrictions by governments of a state, territory, or district.

432.21 Authorized Persons

Subject to 432.22, handguns may be mailed by a licensed manufacturer of firearms, a licensed dealer of firearms, a licensed importer of firearms, or an authorized agent of the federal government or the government of a state, territory, or district, only when addressed to a person in one of the following categories for use in the person’s official duties, and upon filing the required affidavit or certificate:
a. Officers of the Army, Coast Guard, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, or Organized Reserve Corps.
b. Officers of the National Guard or militia of a state, territory, or district.
c. Officers of the United States or of a state, territory, or district, whose official duty is to serve warrants of arrest or commitment.
d. USPS employees authorized by the Chief Postal Inspector.
e. Officers and employees of enforcement agencies of the United States.
f. Watchmen engaged in guarding the property of the United States, a state, territory, or district.
g. Purchasing agent or other designated member of agencies employing officers and employees included in 432.21 c through e.

432.22 Affidavit of Addressee

Any person proposing to mail a handgun under 432.21 must file with the Postmaster, at the time of mailing, an affidavit signed by the addressee setting forth that the addressee is qualified to receive the firearm under a particular category of 432.21a through 432.21g, and that the firearm is intended for the addressee’s official use. The affidavit must also bear a certificate stating that the firearm is for the official duty use of the addressee, signed by one of the following, as appropriate:
a. For officers of Armed Forces, by the commanding officer.
b. For officers and employees of enforcement agencies, by the head of the agency employing the addressee to perform the official duty with which the firearm is to be used.
c. For watchmen, by the chief clerk of the department, bureau, or independent branch of the government of the United States, the state, the territory, or the district by which the watchman is employed.
d. For the purchasing agent or other designated member of enforcement agencies, by the head of such agency, that the firearm is to be used by an officer or employee included in 432.21c through 432.21e.

432.23 Manufacturers, Dealers, and Importers

Handguns may also be mailed between licensed manufacturers of firearms, licensed dealers of firearms, and licensed importers of firearms in customary trade shipments, or for repairing or replacing parts.

432.24 Certificate of Manufacturers, Dealers, and Importers

A federal firearms licensee manufacturer, dealer, or importer need not file the affidavit under 432.22, but must file with the Postmaster a statement on PS Form 1508, Statement by Shipper of Firearms, signed by the mailer that he or she is a licensed manufacturer, dealer, or importer of firearms. The mailer must also state that the parcels containing handguns, or parts and components of handguns under 432.2d, are being mailed in customary trade shipments or contain such articles for repairing or replacing parts, and that to the best of their knowledge the addressees are licensed manufacturers, dealers, or importers of firearms. Registered Mail service is recommended.
Postmasters may forward an unsatisfactory mailer statement to the PCSC for a ruling.

432.25 Federal and Other Law Enforcement Agencies

Handguns may be mailed without regard to 432.21 through 432.24 if the item is:
a. Addressed to a scientific laboratory or crime detection bureau of any federal, state, or local law enforcement agency whose members are authorized to serve warrants of arrest or commitment.
b. Sent by an authorized agent of the federal government as an official shipment to any qualified addressee in 432.21, or to a licensed manufacturer, dealer, or importer of firearms, or to a federal agency.

Exhibit 432.25
Mailability Requirements for Handguns

432.3 Rifles and Shotguns

Except under 431.2, unloaded rifles and shotguns are mailable. Mailers must comply with the rules and regulations under 27 CFR, Part 478, as well as state and local laws. The mailer may be required by the USPS to establish, by opening the parcel or by written certification, that the rifle or shotgun is unloaded and not ineligible for mailing. The following conditions also apply:
a. Subject to state, territory, or district regulations, rifles and shotguns may be mailed without restriction when sent within the same state of mailing. These items must:
b. Bear a “Return Service Requested” endorsement.
c. Be sent by Priority Mail Express (“signature required” must be used at delivery) or Registered Mail.
d. Include either insured mail service (for more than $200) requiring a signature at delivery or Signature Confirmation service.
e. A shotgun or rifle owned by a non-FFL may be mailed outside the owner’s state of residence by the owner to himself or herself, in care of another person in the other state where he or she intends to hunt or engage in any other lawful activity. These mailpieces must:
1. Be addressed to the owner.
2. Include the “in the care of” endorsement immediately preceding the name of the applicable temporary custodian.
3. Be opened by the rifle or shotgun owner only.
4. Be mailed using services described in 432.3a.
f. Mailing of rifles and shotguns between licensed FFL dealers, manufacturers, or importers are not restricted. USPS recommends these items be mailed using those services described in 432.3a.
g. Rifles and shotguns may be mailed by a non-FFL owner domestically to a FFL dealer, manufacturer, or importer in any state. USPS recommends these items be mailed using those services described in 432.3a.
h. Except as described in 432.2a, licensed curio and relic collectors may mail firearms meeting the definition of curios or relics under 27 CFR 478.11 domestically to licensed FFL curio and relic collectors in any state. USPS recommends these items be mailed using those services described in 432.3a.
i. Firearms which are certified by the curator of a municipal, state, or federal museum which exhibits firearms to be curios or relics of museum interest may be accepted for mailing without restriction.
j. Air guns that do not fall within the definition of firearms under 431.1a are mailable. A shipment containing an air gun with a muzzle velocity of 400 or more feet per second (fps) must include an Adult Signature service under DMM 503.9.0. Mailers must additionally comply with all applicable state and local regulations.

432.4 Indemnity Claims

When indemnity claims pertaining to regulated firearms are filed for loss or damage to contents, claims will only be paid for complete loss under either of the following conditions:
a. The regulated firearm has been lost, or
b. When the mailer has provided reasonable estimates of the firearm’s value and of repair cost from a reputable dealer, and the repair cost exceeds the declared and/or actual value of the firearm at the time of mailing.

433 Legal Opinions on Mailing Firearms
Postmasters are not authorized to give opinions on the legality of any shipment of firearms. Mailers requesting additional information should be referred to the ATF. Further advice and ATF contact information is available at http://atf.gov/firearms/faq/licensing.html.

434 Replica or Inert Explosive Devices
Replica or inert explosive devices that are not dangerous, but that bear a realistic appearance to explosive devices such as simulated grenades, are permitted in the mail when all of the following conditions are met:
a. The package is presented by the mailer at a retail counter.
b. Registered Mail service is used. (Registered Mail service is only available for items mailed as First-Class Mail or Priority Mail.)
c. The address side of the package is labeled with “REPLICA EXPLOSIVE” using at least 20-point type or letters at least 1/4-inch high.