If you’re wondering how to ship a firearm, the rules depend on who is sending it, where it is going, the type of firearm, and the carrier being used. Federal law, state and local laws, and carrier policies can all apply to the same firearm shipment.
Before creating a shipping label, confirm that both the shipment and the carrier you plan to use allow it.
Can You Ship a Firearm?
Yes. Under federal law, an unlicensed person may generally ship a firearm by a common or contract carrier to a licensed dealer, manufacturer, importer, or other eligible FFL in any state under 18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(2)(A) and 27 CFR § 478.31. A person may also ship a firearm to another resident of their own state when otherwise permitted by federal, state, and local laws under 18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(5).
An interstate transfer to another unlicensed person is different. Under 18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(3) and (a)(5) and 27 CFR § 478.30, the firearm generally must be sent to an FFL dealer in the recipient’s state, where the recipient completes the required ATF Form 4473 and applicable NICS background check under 18 U.S.C. § 922(t).
Under ATF’s Federal Firearms Regulations Reference Guide (ATF P 5300.4), a person may also ship a firearm to themselves in another state for hunting or another lawful activity. The package can be addressed to the owner in care of another person, but only the owner may open the package and take possession.
Can You Ship a Gun to Another State?
Yes, but whether an FFL is required depends on the situation.
If an unlicensed person is selling or transferring a firearm to an unlicensed resident of another state, the firearm generally must be shipped to an FFL in the destination state under 18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(3) and (a)(5) and 27 CFR § 478.30. The receiving FFL then handles the lawful transfer to the buyer, including completing ATF Form 4473 and running a NICS background check under 18 U.S.C. § 922(t).
A shipment to yourself, or certain shipments to an FFL for repairs or other lawful purposes, are treated differently because the firearm is not necessarily being transferred to a new owner.
Always check applicable state law in addition to federal requirements.
How to Ship a Handgun
A nonlicensee must use a common or contract carrier to ship a handgun. A nonlicensee cannot mail an ordinary handgun through the U.S. Postal Service.
Current carrier policies are more restrictive than federal law, however. Under UPS’s firearm shipping policy, shipments containing firearm products are accepted only from shippers who are federally licensed and have an approved UPS agreement in place. Under FedEx’s firearm shipping policy, only customers holding a Federal Firearms License and certain government agencies may ship firearms, and each FFL must execute a FedEx Firearms Shipping Compliance Agreement before doing so. Neither carrier generally allows an unlicensed customer to independently originate a firearm shipment under their standard firearm programs.
If you’re trying to determine how to ship a pistol or handgun to a manufacturer or gunsmith for warranty work or repair, contact the receiving business first. It may provide an approved prepaid label and shipping instructions through its carrier account.
Shipping a Rifle or Shotgun
The rules for a long gun differ from those for a handgun.
Under USPS Publication 52, Section 432.2, an unlicensed person generally cannot mail a handgun through USPS. Handguns and other firearms capable of being concealed on the person are nonmailable except in limited circumstances involving authorized licensees, government agencies, and other eligible recipients. Under USPS Publication 52, Section 432.3, qualifying unloaded rifles and shotguns are mailable when federal, Postal Service, state, and local requirements are met, including applicable packaging, tracking, and signature-capture requirements.
USPS defines mailable rifles and shotguns based partly on barrel and overall length. Under current Postal Service rules, rifles generally have barrels of at least 16 inches and shotguns at least 18 inches, with an overall length of at least 26 inches.
A short-barreled rifle or short-barreled shotgun is categorized differently under USPS rules and should not be treated like an ordinary mailable rifle or shotgun.
Can You Mail a Gun Through USPS?
Whether you can mail a gun depends primarily on the type of firearm and sender.
Under USPS Publication 52, Section 432.2, an unlicensed person generally cannot mail a handgun through USPS. Handguns and other firearms capable of being concealed on the person are nonmailable except in limited circumstances involving authorized licensees, government agencies, and other eligible recipients. Under USPS Publication 52, Section 432.3, qualifying unloaded rifles and shotguns are mailable when federal, Postal Service, state, and local requirements are met, including applicable packaging, tracking, and signature-capture requirements.
USPS permits handgun mailing only in limited circumstances involving eligible licensed manufacturers, dealers, importers, and certain government or law-enforcement shipments.
Packages containing firearms should not have exterior markings identifying their contents as firearms.
Can You Ship a Firearm Through UPS?
UPS currently accepts firearm products only as a contractual service from qualifying licensed importers, manufacturers, dealers, or collectors operating under an approved UPS agreement. Simply having an FFL does not by itself guarantee authorization to ship firearms through UPS.
For approved shipments:
- Handguns must use qualifying UPS Next Day Air services.
- Firearms require Adult Signature Required and Direct Delivery Only.
- Ammunition must be shipped separately.
- Exterior packaging cannot identify the contents as firearm products.
An approved UPS firearm shipper may provide a customer with a pre-paid shipping label for an authorized return. UPS currently permits those properly prepared, pre-labeled return packages to be tendered as specified in its firearm policy.
Always check the current UPS firearm shipping policy before shipping.
Does FedEx Ship Firearms?
Yes, but FedEx currently limits firearm shipments to approved shippers.
The shipper must hold a Federal Firearms License and receive FedEx approval, which requires a FedEx Firearms Shipping Compliance Agreement. An unlicensed person is not eligible to obtain that approval.
FedEx requires firearms to be unloaded and properly secured. Ammunition cannot be shipped in the same package as the firearm. Approved shippers must also select a signature option for delivery.
See the current FedEx firearm shipping requirements before shipping.
Federal Law vs. Carrier Policy
One of the most important things to understand when shipping firearms is that a shipment permitted by federal law may still be prohibited by a carrier’s policies.
For example, federal law may permit an unlicensed firearm owner to send a firearm to an FFL or manufacturer, while a private carrier may restrict who can originate that shipment.
You must satisfy both applicable law and the carrier’s current requirements.
How to Package a Firearm for Shipping
Requirements vary by carrier, but several basic rules apply:
- Unload the firearm completely.
- Follow the carrier’s requirements for keeping ammunition separate from the firearm.
- Use protective packaging that prevents movement or damage.
- Use a sturdy outer package without markings identifying the firearm inside.
- Follow the carrier’s signature, pickup, and delivery requirements.
Ammunition may be regulated separately as dangerous goods, so never assume firearm-shipping rules also cover ammunition.
Shipping a Firearm to an FFL
Before shipping a firearm to a local FFL or another dealer, contact the receiving licensee and confirm that it will accept the shipment.
For transfers between licensees, ATF currently requires the receiving FFL to furnish the transferring FFL with a certified copy of its license before the transfer. That copy may be mailed, emailed, or faxed.
ATF’s FFL eZ Check can help verify that a license is valid, but it does not replace the certified license copy requirement. ATF issued a direct final rule in May 2026 that would have allowed eZ Check verification to replace that copy, but the agency withdrew the direct final rule before it took effect.
FFL-to-FFL transfers must also be recorded in the applicable A&D records.
Shipping a Firearm for Repair or Warranty Work
Federal rules generally allow a licensed gunsmith or manufacturer to receive a firearm for repair and return the repaired firearm to the person from whom it was received without conducting a new NICS check.
Because private carriers may restrict unlicensed firearm shippers, the manufacturer or gunsmith may provide a prepaid label or other approved return process.
Follow the receiving FFL or manufacturer’s instructions rather than assuming a standard consumer shipment is allowed.
What About NFA Firearms?
Current federal rules may require prior approval before interstate transportation of certain NFA firearms, including machine guns, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and destructive devices.
ATF’s proposed rule 1140-AA89, published in the Federal Register on May 8, 2026, would remove the requirement that persons transporting certain NFA firearms within the United States for short-term purposes (365 days or fewer) submit notice to ATF and await approval before transporting. Long-term transportation (more than 365 days) or permanent relocation would still require notice, but not advance approval. The proposal is not currently in effect.
Owners of NFA firearms should therefore follow current ATF requirements and applicable destination-state laws rather than relying on the proposed rule.
Simplify Firearm Transfers With FastBound
For an FFL, shipping firearms also requires accurate acquisition, disposition, and transfer records.
FastBound helps federal firearms licensees manage A&D records and firearm transactions in one system, helping dealers keep their required records organized throughout the transfer process.
Learn more about FastBound’s Electronic A&D Bound Book or start your free trial today.