Firearms Shipping Guide

The demand for firearms has sparked so sharply over the past few years. As a result, more and more people started to wonder what the best and the safest way of transporting firearms in the United States is.

Anyone who plans to relocate and wants to take their arsenal with them will have to figure this out, too. Even though transporting firearms is regulated by many laws and rules, people are still struggling with understanding and interpreting them into practical steps. This is exactly why we have decided to talk a bit more about this matter.

Shipping is one of the cheapest and most popular ways of transporting items, including weapons. Keep reading and you will see that transporting firearms safely doesn’t have to be challenging. With this firearms shipping guide, you can do it easily.

Shipping firearms – why it is so important to do it the right way?

Many people don’t realize how many rules and regulations there are regarding the shipment of firearms. Authorities and shipment carriers are now conducting far tighter checks just to make sure that everyone’s following the necessary procedures. Even if just one thing is wrong with your shipment, there are penalties you will have to face. This happens regardless of whether you misunderstood the law or wanted to flout it on purpose. 

Sending and receiving firearms is regulated by different laws. Following them is a must to avoid trouble.

Whether we like it or not, it is important to learn how to ship weapons the right way. It is an important part of enjoying firearms safely. Since ignorance of what is and what isn’t allowed won’t be taken as an excuse by the authorities and carriers, your responsibility is to fully understand the:
• Federal Law,
• State Law,
• Local Law.

Apart from complex terminology, there is one more thing that makes following current rules and regulations difficult. Local and state laws differ considerably. You can get into trouble very easily if you aren’t familiar with them. Let’s not forget that laws regarding firearms are changing frequently. Therefore, consider consulting with a local attorney before planning your firearms shipping.

What carriers can you use for shipping firearms?

It is important to point out that many popular carriers are now refusing to ship any kind of weapons, and not just firearms. So, even if you choose knives over guns, you will have to opt for one of the three carriers who still offer this service.

If you have to move with your firearm, you won’t be able to use a moving company. They are forbidden from relocating dangerous and hazardous goods. In this situation, we recommend shipping your firearms using UPS, USPS, or FedEx and hiring someone as reliable as statetostatemove.com who can relocate the rest of your belongings safely to your new home. It is as simple as that!

Keep in mind that every carrier has their own restrictions and regulations when it comes to firearms shipping. These are in place to make the shipment of firearms as safe as possible. We strongly recommend learning more about these carriers and their regulations before you choose the one who will be in charge of the shipment of your items. By doing this, you will know which carrier suits you the most. 

USPS – United States Postal Service
USPS has different regulations for those who have a license and those who are unlicensed. Licensed persons can ship their firearms with ease. USPS offers great conditions USPS. You will only have to notify the Post Office that their package contains a firearm. 

Things get a bit tricky for those who don’t have a license. Unlicensed carriers can ship a rifle or a shotgun via US Mail Service, but they can’t do the same with handguns (pistols, revolvers, etc). In addition to this, they aren’t permitted to ship ammunition. Finally, the Post Office can open their package at any time for inspection.

If you don’t have a license and need to ship handguns, our advice is to opt for UPS or FedEx.

UPS – United Parcel Service
Shipping firearms via UPS might seem like a daunting task but it really isn’t. UPS has a lot of experience in this area. For this reason, they have so many regulations. It is important to point out that they have special restrictions relating to who can receive firearms and who can ship them. That is why we recommend visiting their website to determine what exactly your position is. 

FedEx
If you choose FedEx to be your carrier, you will be presented with two options:
1. FedEx Express shipping firearms procedures 
2. FedEx Ground shipping firearms procedures 

Since costs vary and there are different procedures, it would be best to talk to FedEx’s representative to discuss your options. Oh, and one more thing. With FedEx, you will be able to send ammunition as “hazardous goods.” However, it will need to be packed and labeled according to their rules. Since the demand for ammo is spiking due to COVID-19, learning how to ship it the right way is of utmost importance. 

Other things you will need to keep in mind
Have you been reading our firearms shipping guide carefully? We have covered almost all the basics of this process. However, we have to mention a couple of other pieces of information that will most definitely be of use. 

Whether you need to ship only firearms or you also have to relocate a gun safe, there are some rules you will have to comply with when it comes to packing them. Your goal is to ship your items as safely as possible. You want to make sure they will stay intact during transportation. This is exactly why you should use only quality packing supplies and a lot of cushioning materials.

It is prohibited to include any ammunition in the same package as firearm you want to ship.

In addition to this, there can be absolutely no labels on the package or anything that will indicate a firearm is inside. This will reduce the chances of your weapon being stolen. Finally, it will make sure that no one will tamper with it. 

And there you have it – the most important information about firearms shipping and how to handle this process with ease.