To ship a rifle legally in the United States, an unlicensed owner uses the U.S. Postal Service to send the unloaded firearm to a Federal Firearms License holder in the destination state, or to another resident of the sender’s own state. UPS and FedEx no longer accept firearm shipments from anyone without an FFL, so USPS is effectively the only carrier available to private individuals. The rifle must be unloaded, packaged in plain wrapping with no external indication of the contents, and sent by a mail class that provides tracking and an adult signature on delivery.
Who You Can Legally Ship To
The Gun Control Act of 1968, codified at 18 U.S.C. § 922, controls interstate firearm shipments. If you don’t hold a Federal Firearms License, you cannot ship a rifle directly to another unlicensed person in a different state. Interstate transfers between private parties have to run through a licensed dealer, manufacturer, or importer on the receiving end.1Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 USC 922 – Unlawful Acts
Federal law does allow an unlicensed person to mail a firearm to a licensed dealer in any state for any lawful purpose, and the dealer may return the firearm or a same-kind replacement afterward.2ATF eRegulations. 27 CFR 478.147 That is how online purchases and repair shipments work in practice: you ship to an FFL, the buyer clears a background check at the FFL, and the FFL releases the rifle.
For shipments that stay inside your own state, federal law is less restrictive, and you can generally ship a rifle to another resident without routing it through a dealer. State and local rules sometimes add requirements, so check them before you ship.
Two common situations sit inside the exceptions. Sending a rifle to a manufacturer or licensed gunsmith for repair is permitted, and the manufacturer can return the repaired rifle directly to you without a new background check. Shipping a rifle to yourself in another state for a lawful activity like hunting is also permitted under USPS rules, provided the package is addressed to you with an “in care of” endorsement naming a temporary custodian at the destination, and only you may open it.3Postal Explorer. 432 Mailability
Which Carrier You Can Actually Use
The choice of carrier depends almost entirely on whether you hold an FFL.
USPS for Unlicensed Shippers
The Postal Service is the only major carrier that accepts rifle shipments from unlicensed individuals. USPS treats unloaded rifles and shotguns as mailable under conditions that vary by destination:3Postal Explorer. 432 Mailability
- To an FFL in any state, using a mail class with tracking and signature capture at delivery.
- To another resident of your own state, with a “Return Service Requested” endorsement and a mail class that provides tracking and signature capture.
- To yourself in another state for lawful activities like hunting, with the addressing and custodian requirements above.
USPS may ask you to open the package for inspection or to provide written certification that the rifle is unloaded. Handguns are treated differently: unlicensed individuals cannot mail handguns through USPS at all. Only licensed dealers, manufacturers, and certain government agencies can.
UPS and FedEx Require an FFL
Both UPS and FedEx now accept firearm shipments only from licensed dealers, manufacturers, importers, or collectors operating under a signed carrier agreement. UPS states it accepts firearms “only as a contractual service and only from Shippers who are licensed” under federal firearms law.4UPS. How To Ship Firearms FedEx prohibits firearm shipments unless the customer holds an FFL and has executed a FedEx Firearms Shipping Compliance Agreement.5FedEx. How to Ship Firearms (U.S. Only)
If you’re buying or selling through a dealer, the dealer handles any UPS or FedEx shipment on their end using their license and carrier agreement. Both carriers require adult signature confirmation and direct delivery on every firearm package.
Packing the Rifle
The rifle must be completely unloaded before it goes in the box. Check the chamber, the magazine, and any internal feeding mechanism. Federal law requires written notice to the carrier that the package contains a firearm, and every carrier requires the gun to be unloaded.1Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 USC 922 – Unlawful Acts
Use a hard-sided, crush-proof case. A dedicated gun case with foam inserts is best; a sturdy container with dense closed-cell foam or layered bubble wrap that prevents any shifting also works. Disassembly is not federally required, but it shortens the package and protects optics, stocks, and barrel crowns.
The outside of the package must not reveal what’s inside. Federal law prohibits carriers from requiring an external label that identifies the contents as a firearm.1Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 USC 922 – Unlawful Acts That applies to USPS as well. Use plain packaging with no brand names, gun-related logos, or descriptions that hint at the contents. Theft from shipping networks is a real problem, and discreet packaging is the first defense.
Ammunition Does Not Go in the Same Box
Do not pack ammunition with the rifle. UPS prohibits packaging ammunition with firearms.6UPS. How To Ship Ammunition USPS does not accept ammunition for mailing at all, because it’s a hazardous material. Ammunition ships separately through a private carrier that handles hazardous materials under DOT rules for small arms cartridges.
Dropping the Package Off
Take the package to a staffed counter. Never leave a firearm shipment in a drop box, kiosk, or unattended pickup point. Present the package directly, tell the clerk it contains a firearm, and keep the tracking number. For USPS, expect to sign a written certification that the gun is unloaded. If the recipient is an FFL, put a copy of the license inside the package. The recipient must be legally allowed to possess the firearm under federal, state, and local law, and adult signature on delivery is standard.4UPS. How To Ship Firearms
Insurance Doesn’t Work the Way You’d Think
Standard carrier coverage often excludes firearms. FedEx’s declared value coverage will not reimburse a lost or damaged firearm.7FedEx. FedEx Declared Value and Limits of Liability for Shipments UPS includes a $100 base limit of liability, and firearms may face further restrictions under the account agreement. Third-party shipping insurance from a provider that explicitly covers firearms is usually the practical answer, and the cost is small relative to the value of most rifles.
Penalties for Doing It Wrong
Violating the shipping provisions of the Gun Control Act is a federal crime. Willful violations of 18 U.S.C. § 922, including improper interstate transfers, carry up to five years in federal prison, a fine, or both.8Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 USC 924 – Penalties If the conduct rises to firearms trafficking, meaning shipping or transferring a firearm knowing the transaction would be a felony, the penalty increases to up to 15 years.9Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 USC 933 – Trafficking in Firearms Beyond criminal exposure, a violation of a carrier’s own terms can lead to seizure of the package and permanent closure of your shipping account. When you’re unsure, route the shipment through an FFL who handles this every day.