Update August 31, 2022
Can firearms be shipped through the U.S. Mail (USPS)?
Some firearms can be shipped through the U.S. mail. Whether certain firearms can be shipped through the U.S. mail depends on what type of firearms they are. Simply, long guns: yes; handguns: no.
Handguns are not allowed to be mailed through USPS. See 18 U.S.C. §§1715, 922(a)(3), 922(a)(5), and 922(a)(2)(A). Rather, handguns must be shipped using a common or contract carrier (e.g., UPS or FedEx).
Shipping handguns and other firearms through a common or contract carrier
Under federal law, a non-licensed individual may ship a firearm (including a handgun) by a common or contract carrier (e.g., UPS or FedEx – unfortunately, neither UPS or FedEx will allow a private individual to ship using their services any longer.
Please check with the carrier of your choice regarding their firearm shipping policy) to a resident of his or her own state, or to a licensed individual (FFL) in another state. However, it is illegal to ship any firearm to a non-FFL in another state. The carrier must be notified that the shipment contains a firearm, however, carriers are prohibited from requiring any identifying marks on the package which may be used to identify the contents as containing a firearm. See 18 U.S.C. §§922(a)(2)(A), 922(a)(3), 922(a)(5), 922(e), 27 CFR 478.31 and 478.30.
