When people ask how to ship firearms, they also often ask how to ship ammunition. makes sense if you think about it, without one, the other loses its function. Interestingly, although weapons and ammunition go hand in hand, the shipping process is different for each. Let’s bite the bullet and get down to business!
index
- which carrier should I use to ship ammunition?
- our recommendation: use ups to ship ammunition
- proper ammunition packaging
- can ship ammunition internationally?
Which carrier should I use to ship ammunition?
If you want to ship ammo, unfortunately you won’t have as many carriers to choose from. ammunition is actually on the list of items that the united states postal service prohibits shipping. USPS prohibits the shipment of ammunition both domestically and internationally. therefore, you will need to use another carrier, such as ups or fedex, if you wish to ship ammunition.
our recommendation: use ups to send ammo
Gun and ammo enthusiasts tend to choose ups to ship ammunition legally. FedEx also allows you to ship ammunition and has similar policies, but they have sometimes been known to deny carriers who wish to ship ammunition. ups simply has more experience with firearms and ammunition, and the ease of their shipping process shows it.
To ship ammunition legally with ups, the ammunition must not exceed .5 inch or .50 caliber (12.7 mm) for pistol or rifle cartridges. ammunition cannot be more than 8 gauge for shotgun shells. ups also allows you to send blank ammunition or ammunition with inert projectiles.
pro tip: check with your local ups store before purchasing your tag! they will be able to guide you through the necessary guidelines, so that you can send your ammunition following the proper legal processes.
pack the ammunition correctly
As is the case with the shipment of any hazardous material, it is critical that you package the ammunition properly before submitting the package for shipment. Here’s a short checklist for you.
use the appropriate packaging material
You will need to pack your ammo in smaller inner boxes, divided into a tightly fitting outer box, or in metal clips. Inner boxes, partitions, or metal clips must be placed in tightly closed outer packaging that will not open during transit. the idea here is to properly buffer all cartridges and protect them from any possible initiation (also known as explosion). we suggest separating the smaller inner boxes with plenty of bubble wrap, dividers, and foam. Air pillows are also a great way to fill empty space inside your pack.
Pack ammo as comfortably as possible! Remember: There should be no room for the cartridges to shift during transit. A good way to test if you’ve packed your ammo correctly is to lift your box and see if you notice any rattling or movement coming from inside.
pay attention to maximum weight restrictions
Most carriers will impose a maximum weight for packages containing ammunition. For example, although the typical maximum weight of ups packs is 150 pounds, they restrict ammunition packs to a maximum of 66 pounds. the maximum weight of ammunition packages varies with different shipping companies, so as always, be sure to check with your carrier.
apply a 4-inch hazardous label to the outside of your package
Effective January 1, 2021, UPS changed the guidelines on how to label the outside of your package containing ammunition. now you just need to display a 4-inch hazard label on the outside of the box.
can you ship ammo internationally?
You cannot ship ammunition internationally as it is considered an explosive. Regardless of which carrier you use, you will be restricted to ground services such as UPS Ground or FedEx Ground. As a result, you can only ship ammo within the 48 continental states, plus Alaska and Hawaii.