USPS website https://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c4_009.htm?_gl=1*8eshzm*_ga*MTkxMjYzMzI0MS4xNjczNjY1ODM1*_ga_3NXP3C8S9V*MTY3NDk0MDg1My41LjAuMTY3NDk0MDg1My4wLjAuMA..


Publication 52 - Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail > 4 Restricted Matter > 43 Firearms > 432 Mailability

Link to "43 Firearms" Link to contents for "4 Restricted Matter" Link to Index Link to "433 Legal Opinions on Mailing Firearms"
432 Mailability
432.1 General
Mailers must comply with the Gun Control Act of 1968, all of the provisions of postal law in 18 U.S.C. 1715, and all other all federal and state regulations and local ordinances affecting the movement of firearms. The following also applies:

The Postal Service may require the mailer to open parcels 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.
No markings of any kind that indicate the nature of the contents may be placed on the outside wrapper or container of any mailpiece containing firearms.
Mailable matter must be properly and securely packaged within the general packaging requirements in DMM 601.1-7.
Except for shipments between licensed dealers, manufacturers, or importers, all regulated firearms must be mailed using a USPS product or Extra Service that provides tracking and signature capture at delivery.


432.3 Rifles and Shotguns
Except under 431.2, unloaded rifles and shotguns are mailable. Mailers must comply with the rules and regulations under 27 CFR, Part 478, as well as state and local laws. The mailer may be required by the USPS to establish, by opening the parcel or by written certification, that the rifle or shotgun is unloaded and not ineligible for mailing. The following conditions also apply:

d. Rifles and shotguns may be mailed by a non-FFL owner domestically to a FFL dealer, manufacturer, or importer in any state. These items must be mailed using a class of mail, product, or Extra Service that provides tracking and signature capture at delivery.

If USPS isn't taking long guns, someone forgot to tell them.


I have read somewhere that USPS packages over maybe 36" now carry a surcharge? Not sure if that's true, but now that some members of Congress basically scared UPS and FedEx out of the shipping business for individuals, USPS can pretty much charge what they want unless you are going the shipmygun.com.