Shipping Firearms? Not on UPS You’re Not!

As of August 29, 2022, shipping firearms via UPS will no longer be allowed for private individuals. According to their publication: 2022 UPS® Tariff/Terms & Conditions of Service – United States, only licensed dealers with a pre-existing contractual relationship will be able to ship firearms using Big Brown. The new policy reads in relevant part:

“Firearm Products” are accepted for transportation 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 transport Packages containing Firearm Products, the Shipper must enter into an approved UPS agreement for the transportation of Firearm Products.

Shipping Firearms via FedEx is Already Prohibited

UPS joins FedEx in banning the shipment of firearms using their service. FedEx changed their policy in 2020. The current FedEx firearm shipping policy is similar to UPS’ new policy. The FedEx policy reads:

Only customers holding a Federal Firearms License (FFL) and federal, state, or local government agencies may ship firearms with FedEx. Customers holding an FFL must enter into an approved FedEx Firearms Shipping Compliance Agreement before shipping any firearms with FedEx. Also, you must be an approved firearm shipper with a signed contract on file with FedEx.

What Does This Mean For You and I?

If you purchase a gun online and need to send it back to the place of purchase, you will be required to go through an FFL and have them ship it for you. Under UPS and FedEx rules neither will allow a private individual (you or I) to ship a gun using their service. Of course, the FFL will almost certainly charge you a fee for this service. Going on vacation? Want to ship your guns to yourself in another state? Not anymore. Even to send yourself your own firearms in another state where you can lawfully possess them, you will have to go through an FFL. Gone are the days where you could send yourself your own firearms via UPS, or FedEx.

Long guns can be shipped through the U.S. mail, but handguns cannot.  To learn more about mailing long guns using the United States Postal Service (USPS) click here. Private moving companies can still transport your firearms when you move. To learn more about having movers transport you firearms click here. Unfortunately, without UPS or FedEx being willing to ship firearms for private individuals, gun owners must look to smaller shipping companies or use an FFL if they want to send a handgun using a private carrier.

David S. Katz

About Expert Firearm Attorney David Katz. David Katz is an Expert Firearm Attorney and has been practicing law for over 14 years. He began his career as a prosecutor in Seminole County, Florida.   There, he gained invaluable experience analyzing how...
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