Is it illegal to ship a gun through the USPS?
Asked by: Johnny Kuhic | Last update: March 22, 2026Score: 4.2/5 (18 votes)
Shipping a gun through the USPS is strictly regulated by federal law and depends on the type of firearm and who is shipping it.
Can you mail a firearm through the USPS?
Yes, you can ship firearms through USPS, but with strict regulations: unloaded rifles and shotguns are mailable by individuals (within the same state or to a licensee, with no marking on the outside), while handguns are generally restricted to licensees (manufacturers, dealers, government agents) and require specific affidavits, though a recent DOJ opinion found an old ban unconstitutional, creating uncertainty. All shipments must be unloaded, securely packaged without indicating contents, and comply with all federal and state laws, often requiring a carrier like UPS or FedEx for handguns if you're a non-licensee.
Do you have to tell UPS you are shipping a firearm?
Yes, you must declare that you are shipping a firearm to UPS, but only if you are a Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder with a specific, pre-approved contract, as private individuals are generally prohibited from shipping firearms through UPS after their 2022 policy change. You must present the unloaded firearm in person at a UPS Customer Center (not The UPS Store), declare its contents, show ID, and use Next Day Air for handguns, with no firearm markings on the box.
Do I need to declare a gun when shipping?
To prevent theft, your parcel should NOT have any visible markings that it contains a firearm. Declaring. To comply with federal law, you MUST declare when a package contains a firearm. That means you should complete the carrier's firearm declaration form.
What carriers ship guns?
UPS will allow you to ship both rifles and handguns, but not machine guns. The US Postal Service will only allow rifles and shotguns to be shipped. FedEx will allow any types of guns to be shipped so long as they are shipped to the appropriate person.
MAILING YOUR GUNS: What You Need To Know
Can you ship a gun as a gift?
You can only ship a handgun by common carrier (but not U.S. mail) and a long gun by U.S. mail or common carrier to a federally licensed retailer, but not to a non-licensed individual in another state. With all carriers, federal law requires you to declare that your package contains an unloaded firearm.
Will FedEx ship my firearm?
The FedEx Service Guide prohibits firearm shipments. However, customers holding a Federal Firearms License (FFL) may work with their FedEx account executive to obtain approval to ship firearms with FedEx. This will require customers holding an FFL to execute a FedEx Firearms Shipping Compliance Agreement.
Can you have guns mailed to your house?
Yes, you can get a firearm delivered, but it's heavily regulated: all online or out-of-state firearm purchases must be shipped to a licensed Federal Firearms License (FFL) dealer in your state for you to pick up after completing required paperwork and a background check. You can't usually ship a firearm directly to yourself or another individual; it must go through an FFL, and specific carriers (UPS, FedEx, USPS) have strict rules, with USPS not allowing handgun mail and common carriers requiring FFL involvement.
Can you bring a gun on a ship?
Cruise Ship Travel
All weapons are prohibited on cruises due to cruise ship security regulations. Guns are not allowed, with or without a concealed carry permit. Mace, pepper sprays and knives of any type are prohibited. The information contained on this website is provided as a service to USCCA, Inc.
Can a police officer carry a gun in a post office?
No person on U.S. Postal Service® property may carry or store firearms, explosives, or other dangerous or deadly weapons, either openly or concealed, except for official purposes.
Why are guns not allowed on ships?
All weapons are prohibited on cruises due to cruise ship security regulations. Guns are not allowed, with or without a concealed carry permit. Mace, pepper sprays and knives of any type are prohibited. The information contained on this website is provided as a service to USCCA, Inc.
Are mailmen allowed to carry guns?
The United States Postal Service (USPS) has a standing policy banning firearms, either openly or concealed on its property, including postal vehicles and parking lots.
Is there armed security on cargo ships?
PMSCs offer a diverse range of services varying from signal intelligence for civilian ships to armed port security for logistics companies. The most prominent, and controversial, service that these companies offer is armed anti-piracy support.
Do I have to tell UPS I'm shipping a firearm?
Yes, you must verbally declare that you are shipping a firearm (unloaded) when dropping it off at a UPS Customer Center (not a UPS Store), as private individuals generally cannot ship firearms via UPS unless using a licensed dealer's contract, and you must provide ID, with delivery requiring an adult signature; otherwise, it's against policy and potentially illegal for individuals, with long guns sometimes shippable via USPS with specific procedures, but handguns are restricted.
Can you ship firearms by USPS?
Yes, you can ship firearms through USPS, but with strict regulations: unloaded rifles and shotguns are mailable by individuals (within the same state or to a licensee, with no marking on the outside), while handguns are generally restricted to licensees (manufacturers, dealers, government agents) and require specific affidavits, though a recent DOJ opinion found an old ban unconstitutional, creating uncertainty. All shipments must be unloaded, securely packaged without indicating contents, and comply with all federal and state laws, often requiring a carrier like UPS or FedEx for handguns if you're a non-licensee.
Does the USPS check packages for guns?
The Postal Service may require the mailer to open packages containing firearms or air guns or give written certification that the weapon is unloaded and not concealable. Short-barreled rifles or shotguns that can be concealed on the person are nonmailable.
What carrier will ship firearms?
Major carriers like UPS, FedEx, and the USPS all ship firearms, but with strict federal regulations, requiring FFL (Federal Firearms License) involvement for most transactions, especially handguns and interstate shipments; private individuals generally can't ship handguns via common carriers, while FFLs have specific agreements, and the USPS allows licensed individuals to send rifles/shotguns but not handguns (unless via specific FFL channels).
Can you ship firearms via UPS or FedEx on Reddit?
You cannot ship firearms via UPS or FedEx as a non-licensed individual. You cannot ship pistols as a non-licensed person via USPS. You can ship rifles/shotguns via USPS as a non-licensed person. If you wanna ship rifles/shotguns via USPS, you need a copy of the receiving FFL and your government ID in the package.
Can you order guns online and have them shipped?
Firearms cannot be ordered online (except for antique firearms) and shipped directly to the buyer. This is isn't California specific, it's federal law.
Can I give my son one of my guns?
Yes. However, persons less than 18 years of age may only receive and possess handguns with the written permission of a parent or guardian for limited purposes, e.g., employment, ranching, farming, target practice or hunting.
Can you carry a gun that is not in your name?
In many states, the law does not require firearms to be registered, which means that even if a gun is not registered to you, you may still legally possess and carry it if you meet specific criteria. However, it is crucial to ensure that the firearm is not stolen and that you have the owner's permission to carry it.
Why are guns not allowed on cargo ships?
A freighter with weapons for whatever the reason, might be considered a danger for the nearby countries. Otherwise,without the restrictions, any powerful nation could concentrate several “freight/container or oil tankers” become a national menace and invade any smallish country on the coasts.
What is an mso in shipping?
Maritime security operations (MSO) are the actions of modern naval forces to "combat sea-based terrorism and other illegal activities, such as hijacking, piracy, and slavery, also known as human trafficking." Ships assigned to such operations may also assist seafaring vessels in distress.
Do royal bodyguards carry guns?
The Royalty Protection Group carry Glock 17 pistols
The senior police officers - each with 10-15 years of experience - are trained in firearms and unarmed combat, advanced driving, and emergency first aid as well as basics like walking in formation, venue recce, and overseas work.
Is the USPS gun ban overturned?
A nearly 100-year-old federal ban on mailing handguns through the U.S. Postal Service is unconstitutional and cannot be enforced, according to an opinion released Thursday by the Department of Justice (DOJ).