How to Ship Firearms to Correia Customs

When shipping firearms to Correia Customs, it’s crucial to follow federal regulations and the specific requirements of your chosen carrier. This guide outlines the steps necessary for a compliant and safe shipment. Please contact us or your carrier if you have any questions or are unsure of anything. DO NOT ship a firearm if you have not read these instructions or have not done your own research with your carrier.

Federal law mandates that all modern firearms must be shipped to a valid Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder. Correia Customs holds a type 07 Federal Firearms License/ Class II SOT and can have firearms shipped directly to us. 

ATF "Federal Firearms Regulations Reference Guide (ATF P 5300.4) says:

(B9) May a nonlicensee ship a firearm by carrier?
A nonlicensee may ship a firearm by carrier to a resident of his or her own state or to a licensee in any state. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun. In addition, Federal law requires that the carrier be notified that the shipment contains a firearm and prohibits common or contract carriers from requiring or causing any label to be placed on any package indicating that it contains a firearm.

[18 U.S.C. 922(a)(2)(A), 922(a) (3), 922(a)(5) and 922(e), 27 CFR 178.31, 27 CFR 478.31 and 478.30]

(B8) May a nonlicensee ship a firearm through the U. S. Postal Service?
A nonlicensee may mail a shotgun or rifle to a resident of his or her own state or to a licensee in any state. Handguns are not mailable. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun. A nonlicensee may not transfer any firearm to a nonlicensed resident of another state. The Postal Service recommends that longguns be sent by registered mail and that no marking of any kind which would indicate the nature of the contents be placed on the outside of any parcel containing firearms.

[18 U.S.C. 1715, 922(a)(3), 922(a)(5) and 922 (a)(2)(A)]

Any shipper who does not hold an  FFL is considered to be an unlicensed person. Unlicensed persons must ship modern firearms to a licensed FFL dealer only.

Before you ship your gun, Correia Customs will e-mail you a copy of the our signed FFL license. You can only ship the gun to the address on the license. You should take the copy of our signed FFL with you when you take the item to be shipped in case the carrier wants to see it.

Specific shippers, such as US Mail, FedEx, and UPS, have different rules related to firearms and ammunition. Please review their websites for guidelines about shipping firearms and ammunition.

UPS (Correia Customs cannot create UPS labels - this must be done by the customer only):

• UPS will accept handgun shipments by Next Day Air only.
• Rifles and shotguns can be shipped by UPS ground service.
• UPS will accept shipments of ammunition. Special labeling is required.

US Mail - unlicensed persons:

• Unlicensed persons can ship a rifle or shotgun by US Mail.
• Unlicensed persons cannot ship a handgun by US Mail. Pistols, revolvers, and other firearms capable of being concealed on the person (for example, short-barreled shotguns and short-barreled rifles) are defined as handguns.
• Postal regulations allow the Post Office to open your package for inspection.
• Ammunition cannot be shipped by US Mail.

You can search the US Post Office Postal Explorer site for specific USPS regulations regarding firearms and ammunition (Hazardous, Restricted and Perishable Matter).

USPS Mail - licensed persons:

• Licensed persons can ship rifles, shotguns, or handguns by US Mail. In fact, we suggest you use the USPS, as it is now the most cost-effective way to ship a handgun.
• To ship a rifle or shotgun, you need only inform the Post Office the package contains a firearm.
• A licensed manufacturer, dealer, or importer can ship a handgun via the US Post Office if the licensed dealer fills out a US Post Office Form PS 1508 and files it with the local Post Office branch where the handgun is to be shipped.

You can search the US Post Office Postal Explorer site for specific USPS regulations.

FedEx - licensed persons:

• FedEx will allow a licensed person to ship firearms. Contact the carrier for details and to arrange shipment.

FedEx - unlicensed persons:

• FedEx will not allow an unlicensed person to ship a firearm.