How To Ship Firearms

Definitions:

“Firearm” will have the same definition as set forth in Title 18, Chapter 44, and Title 26, Chapter 53, of the United States Code.

“Firearm Part” is any part or component of a Firearm that does not by itself meet the definition of a “Firearm.”  By way of example only, Firearm Parts include, but are not limited to, barrels, stocks, grips, firing pins, sights, and magazines/clips.

“Firearm Products” means Firearms and Firearm Parts.  The term Firearm Product does not include scopes.

UPS accepts packages containing Firearm Products for shipment only as a contractual service and only from Shippers who are licensed importers, licensed manufacturers, licensed dealers, or licensed collectors (as defined in Title 18, Chapter 44 of the United States Code) to authorized recipients, as outlined in the approved UPS agreement for the transportation of Firearm Products.

To transport packages containing Firearm Products, the Shipper must enter into an approved UPS agreement for the transportation of Firearm Products.

The shipper must comply with and must ensure that each shipment containing Firearms or Firearm Parts complies with all federal, state and local laws applicable to the shipper, recipient, and package, including, without limitation, age restrictions.  All Firearms and Firearm Parts shipments must also conform to the terms, conditions, restrictions, and prohibitions set forth on this page at the time of shipping, in the UPS Tariff/Terms and Conditions of Service and UPS Rate and Service Guide in effect at the time of shipping, and in the approved UPS Firearm Products agreement.

UPS does not accept automatic weapons, including machine guns, for shipment, either domestically or internationally.

UPS does not accept Firearms or Firearm Parts for shipment internationally.  Replicas or simulated Firearms are not accepted for shipment internationally except as a contractual service.

UPS does not accept Firearms or Firearm Parts for shipment domestically unless (1) such shipments are in full compliance with all federal, state, and local laws, including, without limitation, age restrictions; (2) such Firearms, including any partially complete, disassembled, or nonfunctional frame or receiver (as defined by 27 CFR § 478.12), have been identified and bear a serial number in a manner that complies with federal law; and (3) such Firearm Parts within a package cannot be assembled to form a Firearm.

Any item that meets the definition of a Firearm (including Firearm mufflers or silencers) or a “frame” or “receiver” under federal law (including any partially complete, disassembled, or nonfunctional frame or receiver as defined by 27 CFR § 478.12) must be identified and bear a serial number in satisfaction of the requirements for identifying such items under federal law, including 27 CFR § 478.92 and/or 27 CFR § 479.102, regardless of whether any such items are otherwise exempt from or not subject to identification requirements under applicable law.  This prohibition applies even before the effective date of 27 CFR § 478.12.

The shipper must use Delivery Confirmation Adult Signature Required and Direct Delivery Only services for each package containing a Firearm, including a handgun or a Firearm suppressor, and affix a UPS label requesting an adult signature upon delivery.

All Firearm Products must be shipped in new corrugated packaging that meets the UPS Single Wall Box Strength Guidelines.

All Firearm Products must be packaged in accordance with UPS Packaging Guideline Specifications.

Ammunition must be shipped separately from packages that contain Firearms.

The labeling and outer box markings on all Firearm Products shipments must not identify the contents as containing Firearm Products. Labeling, including the shipper's and consignee's abbreviated names on the shipping label or air shipping document, must be non-descriptive.

UPS Express Critical^™ Service and UPS Returns^® Services are not available for packages containing Firearms without an express contractual agreement to provide such service.

Handguns, as defined by 18 U.S.C. § 921, will be accepted for transportation only via UPS Next Day Air Services, specifically:

• UPS Next Day Air^® Early
• UPS Next Day Air^®
• UPS Next Day Air Saver^®

UPS, in its sole and unlimited discretion, may require the shipper to select a UPS Next Day Air delivery service for any package containing a Firearm Product.

Firearm Products may be shipped only through a UPS Scheduled Pickup Account using various UPS pickup services.

Note: Firearm Products are not accepted for shipment via UPS Drop Boxes or UPS On-Call Pickup®, and may not be tendered to, dropped off, or picked up at locations of UPS Customer Centers, The UPS Store®, any third party retailer, or any UPS Access Point™ location, with the sole exception that pre-packaged, pre-labeled Firearm Products may be dropped off at UPS Customer Centers. Non contract shippers must coordinate with a UPS approved Firearm Products shipper to whom they will ship the Firearm Product to obtain a shipping label that complies with UPS’s requirements for the shipment of Firearm Products. Such pre-packaged, pre-labeled shipments can be tendered at a UPS Customer Center. Firearm Products are not eligible for Delivery Change Requests (including, but not limited to, requests to reroute) or UPS My Choice® requests.

For approved Firearm Products shippers, refer to your UPS agreement for the shipment of Firearm Products, the UPS Tariff/Terms and Conditions of Service - United States and the UPS Rate and Service Guide in effect at the time of shipping for more information regarding Firearm Products and ammunition shipments.