Shipping within the firearm industry requires careful consideration of packaging, inspections, and regulations. Whether you are a major manufacturer or a reseller, this guide to shipping firearm parts can help ensure your parts get securely to your customers.
Any shipper of firearm parts must consider factors such as where their products are going, to whom they are going, and what level of protection is needed to ensure they arrive safely.
Shipping gun parts domestically requires adherence to federal regulations and any special rules in the states of origin and destination. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives establishes most of these rules, although domestic logistic companies often have their own specific rules.
When shipping firearm parts internationally, you must follow regulations for destination countries in addition to U.S. regulations. Shippers must have an export license to send most commercial packages internationally.
There is considerable oversight for shipping firearms parts. The Department of Commerce and the Department of State handle licensing for importing and exporting firearm parts. The ATF also regulates the importation and shipping of some firearms, ammunition, and firearm parts, and U.S. Customs enforces these rules.
Businesses can improve efficiency and reduce costs by using sustainable bulk packaging trays for firearm parts. There are several approaches to this.
First, you should consider the source of materials. There is a big difference in sustainability between virgin and recycled materials. Suppliers’ manufacturing practices also affect a given material’s environmental impact.
Another factor worth considering is the overall shipping weight. Placing parts in individual packaging containers adds materials, driving up cost and weight. This affects not just sustainability but also your overall efficiency. Bulk packaging trays and shipping inserts are an excellent way to control these factors.
One consideration when shipping firearm parts is how much of a complete gun is in the package. If it is over 80% complete, U.S. regulations consider that a complete firearm. This rule is to reduce problems associated with ghost guns and untraceable kits.
If you are shipping minor components, such as pins, plates, sights, magazines, or stocks, you may not notice the effects of the 80% rule. However, its implementation creates logistical problems for many manufacturers and distributors. Some carriers have stopped shipments of firearm parts altogether to avoid problems.
Successfully shipping firearm parts depends largely on the packaging materials used. These must offer sufficient physical protection. At the same time, using lightweight materials reduces shipping costs, so many manufacturers opt for plastic packaging materials.
Exterior shipping cartons are typically made of corrugated materials. These are lightweight and provide basic physical protection. Standard shipping carton sizes make it simple to select inserts and protective materials for small and delicate firearm parts. You can also choose to order custom cartons with or without branding.
Interior protective materials organize and cushion components. Foam blocks are a popular choice for larger firearm parts, such as stocks and barrels. Foam wrapping sheets add an extra layer of protection around parts and any other packaging materials.
Trays offer compartments to keep individual parts separate and secure during shipping. They also help shippers and end users keep track of parts during storage. Custom plastic trays allow you to safely compartmentalize small parts for shipping without adding bulk to packages.
Bags allow the visibility of individual pieces in larger containers. Nylon, foil, and Tyvek bags are popular because they protect against air, moisture, and dust once sealed. They are excellent for keeping springs, firing pins, grips, screws, and some basic sights organized, but they do not offer sufficient physical protection on their own for delicate firearm parts like triggers and special optics.
Individual boxes offer more physical protection, especially when coupled with foam inserts and wrapping. However, it is not always prudent to put thousands of parts in boxes. For that reason, this is usually reserved for retail and direct-to-consumer firearm parts.
The shipping partner you choose can affect the type of packaging required and the processes for shipping firearm parts. Most major commercial logistics providers offer services for gun parts. However, it is always a good idea to discuss your specific requirements when choosing a company to work with.
UPS, FedEx, and the U.S. Postal Service all ship firearm parts, but each has its own restrictions. The USPS is one of the most flexible providers for shipping firearm parts. You can mail virtually all components as long as they are not regulated under Chapter 44, Title 18, U.S.C.
FedEx is among the most user-friendly shipping services for commercial firearm parts, provided you have a Federal Firearms License. Businesses and individuals with an FFL can ship firearms and parts with prior approval and a signed FedEx Firearms Shipping Compliance Agreement. You can complete this process through your account executive.
UPS changed its regulations in 2022 to accommodate federal rules on ghost guns. They do not allow shipments where parts can be assembled into a complete firearm. Additionally, all firearms and some parts, including frames, silencers, and receivers, must bear a serial number for identification purposes.
Depending on your operations, it may be worth using a freight service. This is especially true for manufacturers sending large-quantity orders to distributors or major retailers. When choosing a freight company, ask about policies specific to firearms and their parts.
Some carriers have special accommodations for firearms, ammunition, and firearm parts. It can be worth working with such a specialty provider for relatively large shipments since they have the knowledge and expertise to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations,
Ready-Made Plastic Trays has over 30 years of experience serving businesses with thermoformed plastic trays and packaging services. We manufacture custom trays for shipping firearm parts that allow secure transportation and easy inspection processes. Request a free sample to learn more about our firearm part trays.