Steps for shipping firearms
Shippers with a Federal Firearm License
A Federal Firearm License (FFL) is required for all dealers and/or individuals who sell, manufacture, import, repair, or handle firearms in any form as a business. Shippers with a valid FFL may ship to other dealers or individuals in compliance with the rules and regulations of The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Nonlicensee shippers
Nonlicensees can ship firearms to a FFL business or a FFL holder. When shipping to a FFL holder, the holder will only release the firearm to the non-licensed recipient identified. The recipient will be required to complete the necessary forms and pass a NICS background check.
A nonlicensee cannot ship directly to another nonlicensee from a FedEx Office or other FedEx associated retail location.
Transferring/Shipping/Possession of Firearms:
May I lawfully transfer a firearm to an individual who resides in a different State?
Under Federal law, an unlicensed individual is prohibited from transferring a firearm to an
individual who does not reside in the State where the transferee resides. Generally, for a person
to lawfully transfer a firearm to an unlicensed person who resides out of State, the firearm must
be shipped to a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) within the recipient’s State of residence. He or
she may then receive the firearm from the FFL upon completion of an ATF Form 4473 and a
NICS background check. More information can be obtained on the ATF website at www.atf.gov
and http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/unlicensed-persons.html. The GCA provides an exception
from this prohibition for temporary loans or rentals of firearms for lawful sporting purposes. For
example, a friend visiting you may borrow a firearm from you to go hunting. Another exception
is provided for transfers of firearms to nonresidents to carry out a lawful bequest or acquisition
by intestate succession. This exception would authorize the transfer of a firearm to a nonresident
who inherits a firearm under a will or by State law upon death of the owner. See 18 U.S.C. §
922(a)(5)(A).
What if the individual resides within the same State?
In regard to transferring firearms between individuals residing in the same state, any person may
sell a firearm to an unlicensed resident of the State where he resides as long as he or she does not
know or have reasonable cause to believe the person is prohibited from receiving or possessing
firearms under Federal law. Please note that there may be State and local laws that regulate
firearm transactions. Any person considering acquiring or transferring a firearm should contact
his or her State Attorney General’s Office to inquire about the laws and possible State or local
firearms restrictions. A list of State Attorney General contact numbers may be found at
http://www.naag.org.
May I lawfully ship a firearm to myself in a different State?
Any person may ship a firearm to himself or herself in the care of another person in the State
where he or she intends to hunt or engage in any other lawful activity. The package should be addressed to the owner of the firearm “in the care of” the out-of-State resident. Upon reaching
its destination, persons other than the owner of the firearm must not open the package or take
possession of the firearm. The out-of-State resident is encouraged to place the package in a safe
and secure location until the owner of the firearm is available to take physical possession
1. Remove all ammunition
Firearms cannot be shipped with ammunition, remove all ammo before packing the firearm. Ensure the gun safety is turned on. All rifles and shotguns should be broken down. Ammunition is a dangerous good and may never be shipped from a FedEx Office or other FedEx associated retail location.
2. Secure firearm in a case
Pack the firearm in a sturdy outer box or hard case with adequate cushioning, there should not be any movement heard inside when the box is shifted. We will not ship firearms that are not properly secured in a case. Re-package the firearm case in an outer box with no identifying markers.
3. Pack and ship at a FedEx Office location
FedEx team members cannot pack firearm shipments. Packing materials and supplies are available at FedEx Office locations. After your firearm is packed, create a shipment at your local FedEx Office with your shipping information and a payment method. They will take it from there.
4. Or pack and ship without visiting a FedEx Office location
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*Image is not a representation of the box size that should be used to package this item.
Obtain a box for your shipment. Fill the bottom of the box with packing material such as loosefill peanuts or air-cellular cushion. Center the shipment inside the box and fill any empty spaces on all sides.
Using the H taping method, apply pressure-sensitive adhesive plastic tape to both the top and bottom of the carton to protect the package and its contents. Tape all seams or flaps.