Firearms Shipping Compliance: Carrier Rules, Packaging & Legal Requirements

Federal Law on Firearms Shipping

Federal law permits licensed firearms dealers to ship firearms interstate to other FFLs via common carriers. Non-licensees may also ship firearms — but only to licensed dealers, and only long guns through USPS. The rules differ by carrier, firearm type, and whether the shipper is an FFL or a private individual.

The key federal provisions: FFLs may ship handguns and long guns to other FFLs via any carrier that accepts them. Non-licensees may ship rifles and shotguns through USPS but may not ship handguns through USPS (18 U.S.C. § 1715). Non-licensees may ship handguns and long guns via UPS or FedEx to an FFL. No one may ship a firearm to a non-licensee in another state — all interstate transfers must go through an FFL.

USPS Shipping Rules

The United States Postal Service has specific and somewhat restrictive rules for firearms. FFLs may ship handguns via USPS — this is one of the few exceptions to the general USPS prohibition on handgun shipments. The handgun must be shipped via USPS Priority Mail Express, and the package must be declared to the postmaster at the time of mailing.

Non-licensees may ship rifles and shotguns (unloaded) through USPS to FFLs. Non-licensees may not ship handguns through USPS under any circumstances.

All USPS firearms shipments must be unloaded. The outer packaging must not indicate that it contains a firearm. Declaration requirements apply — you must declare the contents when presenting the package for mailing.

UPS and FedEx Rules

Both UPS and FedEx accept firearms shipments from FFLs, but their policies differ and have become more restrictive in recent years. Both carriers require firearms to be shipped via next-day air service (UPS Next Day Air, FedEx Priority Overnight), which significantly increases shipping costs.

UPS requires FFLs to enter into a UPS account agreement and register as a firearms shipper. FedEx has similar registration requirements. Both carriers require advance notification of firearms shipments and may restrict firearms shipping from certain locations (such as retail drop-off points — ship from your store or a staffed carrier facility only).

Adult signature is required for delivery of all firearms shipments via both carriers. No redirect, hold-at-location, or Saturday delivery options may be available depending on current carrier policies.

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Packaging Requirements

Proper packaging is both a legal requirement and a practical necessity. All firearms must be unloaded before shipping. The firearm should be secured in a hard case or wrapped to prevent movement within the outer shipping container. Use a double-box method: firearm in an inner box or case, inner box inside a larger shipping carton with adequate cushioning.

The outer packaging must not indicate that it contains a firearm. No markings, labels, or descriptions on the outside of the package should reference firearms, ammunition, or any brand name that would identify the contents. This is a federal requirement — not just a best practice.

Include a copy of your FFL inside the package along with a packing slip identifying the firearm (make, model, serial number) and the intended recipient FFL. This helps the receiving dealer log the acquisition correctly and resolves any confusion if packages are misrouted.

Shipping Documentation

Every firearms shipment must be documented in your A&D bound book. Log the disposition at the time of shipment, recording the receiving dealer's FFL number, the carrier, and the tracking number. Retain shipping receipts and tracking confirmation as part of your compliance records.

If a shipment is lost in transit, report it to the carrier, the ATF, and local law enforcement immediately. A lost firearms shipment is a reportable event — use ATF Form 3310.11 (Theft/Loss Report) to notify the ATF within 48 hours of discovering the loss.

Handling Returns

When a firearm is returned to you — whether due to a denied background check at the receiving dealer, a warranty return, or a buyer cancellation — log it back into your bound book as an acquisition from the returning dealer's FFL. The serial number and firearm description must match your original disposition record.

Returns follow the same shipping rules as outbound shipments. The returning dealer ships via approved carrier to your FFL address. You log the acquisition upon receipt. The round-trip creates four bound book entries total: your original disposition, the receiving dealer's acquisition, the receiving dealer's disposition (return), and your re-acquisition.

Ammunition Shipping

Ammunition shipping follows different rules than firearms. Ammunition may be shipped via UPS, FedEx, or USPS (with restrictions). The shipment must comply with DOT hazardous materials regulations (ORM-D or Limited Quantity markings), carrier-specific ammunition policies, and state laws at the destination.

Several states restrict ammunition sales and shipping — California requires ammunition purchases to go through a licensed vendor with a background check, and other states have varying requirements. Know the destination state's laws before shipping ammunition.