432 Mailability

432.1 General

Mailers must comply with the Gun Control Act of 1968, all provisions of postal law in 18 U.S.C. § 1715, and all other federal and state regulations and local ordinances affecting the movement of firearms. The following also applies:

1. The Postal Service may require the mailer to open packages containing firearms or air guns or give written certification that the weapon is unloaded and not concealable.
2. Short-barreled rifles or shotguns that can be concealed on the person are nonmailable.
3. 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 mailable firearms.
4. Mailable matter must be properly and securely packaged within the general packaging requirements in DMM 601.1-7.
5. All regulated firearms must be mailed using a USPS product or Extra Service that provides tracking and signature capture at delivery, unless shipped between licensed dealers, manufacturers, or importers.

432.2 Handguns

Handguns, and other firearms capable of being concealed on the person, are nonmailable unless mailed between the parties listed in 432, after the filing of an affidavit or statement described in 432.22 or 432.24, and are subject to the following:

1. Curio and Relic Handguns
1. Firearms meeting the definition of a handgun under 431.2 and the definition of curios or relics under 431.5 may be mailed between licensed curio and relic collectors only when those firearms also meet the definition of an antique firearm under 431.3.
2. Firearms meeting the definition of a handgun under 431.2, which are certified by a curator of a municipal, state, or federal museum that exhibits firearms to be curios or relics of museum interest, may be accepted for mailing between governmental museums without regard to the restrictions provided for handguns in 432.21 through 432.24 and Exhibit 432.25.
2. Air Guns: Mailable air guns (refer to 431.7) that do not fall within the definition of firearms under 431.1 and are capable of being concealed on a person are mailable, but must include Adult Signature service per DMM 503.8. Mailers must comply with all applicable state and local regulations.
3. Handgun Parts: Parts of handguns are mailable, except for handgun frames, receivers, or components regulated under 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44.
4. Additional Restrictions: Mailers are subject to applicable restrictions by governments of a state, territory, or district.

432.21 Authorized Persons

Subject to 432.22, handguns may be mailed by licensed firearm manufacturers, dealers, importers, or authorized agents of federal, state, territory, or district governments, only upon filing the required affidavit or certificate and when addressed to a person in one of the following categories for use in the person‘s official duties:

1. Military Officers: Officers of the Army, Coast Guard, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, or Organized Reserve Corps.
2. National Guard Officers: Officers of the National Guard or militia of a state, territory, or district.
3. Law Enforcement Officers: Officers of the United States or of a state, territory, or district, whose official duty is to serve warrants of arrest or commitment.
4. Authorized Postal Service Employees: Postal Service employees authorized by the Chief Postal Inspector.
5. Federal Enforcement Officers: Officers and employees of enforcement agencies of the United States.
6. Federal and State Watchmen: Watchmen engaged in guarding the property of the United States, a state, territory, or district.
7. Purchasing Agents: Designated member of agencies employing officers and employees as outlined in 432.21(c-f).

432.22 Affidavit of Addressee

Authorized mailers must submit, at the time of mailing, an affidavit signed by the addressee certifying that the addressee is qualified to receive the firearm under a particular category of 432.21(a-g), and that the firearm is intended for the addressee‘s official use. The affidavit must also bear a certificate stating that the firearm is for the official duty use of the addressee, signed by the appropriate official, as follows:

1. For officers of Armed Forces, by the commanding officer.
2. For officers and employees of enforcement agencies, by the head of the agency employing the addressee to perform the official duty with which the firearm is to be used.
3. For watchmen, by the chief clerk of the department, bureau, or independent branch of the government of the United States, the state, the territory, or the district by which the watchman is employed.
4. For the purchasing agent or other designated member of enforcement agencies, by the head of such agency, that the firearm is to be used by an officer or employee included in 432.21(c-f).

432.23 Manufacturers, Dealers, and Importers

Handguns may be mailed between licensed firearm manufacturers, dealers, and importers in customary trade shipments, or for repairing or replacing parts.

432.24 Certificate of Manufacturers, Dealers, and Importers

Federal firearms licensee manufacturers, dealers, or importers are exempt from the affidavit requirement under 432.22 but must file a statement with the postmaster on PS Form 1508, Statement by Shipper of Firearms, signed by the mailer to confirm that:

1. They are a licensed firearm manufacturer, dealer, or importer; and
2. The package containing handguns, or parts and components of handguns under 432.2(c), are for customary trade shipments or contain such articles for repairing or replacing parts.

The statement must verify, to the best of the mailer‘s knowledge, the addressees are licensed firearm manufacturers, dealers, or importers. Registered Mail service is recommended.

Postmasters may forward unsatisfactory mailer statements to the PCSC for a ruling.

432.25 Federal and Other Law Enforcement Agencies

Handguns may be mailed without restrictions under 432.21 through 432.24 in the following cases:

1. Scientific and Crime Detection Bureaus: Mail addressed to a scientific laboratory or crime detection bureau of federal, state, or local law enforcement agencies with authority to serve warrants of arrest or commitment.
2. Official Federal Shipments: Mail sent by an authorized federal government agent as official shipments to any qualified addressee in 432.21, licensed firearm manufacturers, dealers, or importers, or federal agencies.

Exhibit 432.25 

Mailability Requirements for Handguns

432.3 Rifles and Shotguns

Except under 431.2, unloaded rifles and shotguns are mailable. Mailers must comply with the rules and regulations per 27 CFR, Part 478, as well as state and local laws. The Postal Service may require confirmation, either by opening the package or through written certification, that the firearm is unloaded and eligible for mailing. The following conditions also apply:

1. Intrastate Shipments: Subject to state, territory, or district regulations, rifles and shotguns intended for delivery within the same state of mailing may be shipped within a state provided that:
1. The mailpiece displays a "Return Service Requested" endorsement.
2. The mailpiece is shipped using a class of mail, product, or Extra Service that provides tracking and signature capture at delivery.
2. Shipments Between Licensed FFLs: Mailing rifles and shotguns between licensed FFL dealers, manufacturers, or importers is unrestricted. The Postal Service recommends that these items be mailed using a class of mail, product, or Extra Service that provides tracking and signature capture at delivery.
3. Out-of-State Mailings by Non-FFL Owners: Non-FFL owners may mail rifles or shotguns to themselves in another state for lawful activities (e.g., hunting) under the following conditions. The mailpiece must:
1. Be addressed to the owner.
2. Include the "in the care of" endorsement immediately preceding the name of the applicable temporary custodian.
3. Be opened by the rifle or shotgun owner.
4. Be mailed using a class of mail, product, or Extra Service that provides tracking and signature capture at delivery.
4. Mailing to FFL Dealers by Non-FFL Owners: Non-FFL owners may mail rifles or shotguns domestically to FFL dealers, manufacturers, or importers 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.
5. Curio and Relic Collectors: Except as described in 432.3(a), licensed curio and relic collectors may mail firearms meeting the definition of curios or relics per 27 CFR §178.11 domestically to licensed FFL curio and relic collectors 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.
6. Museum Shipments: Firearms meeting the definition of a rifle or shotgun under 431.4, which are certified by the curator of a municipal, state, or federal museum that exhibits firearms to be curios or relics of museum interest, may be mailed between governmental museums without restriction.
7. Air Guns: Air guns (refer to 431.7) that do not fall within the definition of firearms under 431.1(a) are mailable. Shipments containing air guns with a muzzle velocity of 400 or more feet per second (fps) must include an Adult Signature service per DMM 503.8. Mailers are responsible for compliance with all applicable state and local regulations.

432.4 Indemnity Claims

Indemnity claims for regulated firearms may be filed if the following occurs during Postal Service handling (refer to DMM 609):

1. Loss: A claim may be paid when a firearm has been lost.
2. Repair Costs Exceeds Value: If a firearm is damaged, a claim may be filed if the estimated repair cost from a reputable dealer exceeds the declared or actual value of the firearm at the time of mailing.