SENDING & RECEIVING FIREARMS
This page has been created to educate you on the local, state, and federal laws governing the mailing of firearms. This page is not intended to provide legal advice, but rather routine guidelines which must be met for the shipment of firearms. Please consult your local, state, and federal laws/guidelines if you have any questions.
If you plan to mail us your firearm(s), or have a third-party pickup your firearm(s), please read this page in its entirety to protect yourself from violating local, state, and/or federal laws.
Firearms in the Mail
Shipping Firearms to Us
Because Lovejoy Custom Coating is an FFL holder, we are able to lawfully accept firearms via mail from any individual in the country.
Long guns (shotguns, rifles, etc.) are able to be shipped via U.S. Postal Service. Handguns are PROHIBITED from being shipped via U.S. Postal Service, and must be shipped via a common/contract carrier such as UPS or FedEx.* (While it is not the law, FedEx policy only permits FFLs to mail firearms via FedEx).
Federal law requires all modern firearms be shipped to a holder of a valid Federal Firearms License (FFL). Any person who is legally allowed to own a firearm is legally allowed to ship it to an FFL holder for any legal purpose (including sale or resale).
PLEASE BE ADVISED: "Federal law requires that the carrier be notified that the shipment contains a firearm or ammunition, and prohibits the carrier from requiring or causing any label to be placed on any package indicating that it contains a firearm. A written acknowledgement upon receipt of the parcel is also required."*
*[18 U.S.C. 922(a)(2)(A), 922(a)(5), 922(e) and (f); 27 CFR 478.30 and 478.31].
If You're Shipping Your Own Firearm:
*Please include the following items along with your firearm or parts for service.
- Your order form containing the services you want performed along with any special instructions (to obtain a form click here).
- Contact information of your selected FFL who will be mailing your
firearm to us (if applicable). If you're mailing your own firearm
proceed to the following steps:
- If you are out of state, we will fax, email, or mail you a copy of our
FFL license. It must be included inside the package being shipped.
- Include a photocopy of your state-issued photo identification or
driver's license, with your phone number written on it. We must
keep a record of shipped firearms. We encourage you, as an extra
precaution, to include this information inside your package.
- CONFIRM THE WEAPON IS UNLOADED AND THERE IS NO
AMMUNITION IN THE PACKAGE (not doing so is a violation of Federal
Law).
- Wrap components and accessories to be coated separately (unless
it's a Glock Handgun or Smith & Wesson M&P).
- Choose a generous, strong corrugated box that has never been used
before.
- Bubble wrap is the best packaging material, but we also suggest
custom-molded foam inserts.
- Insure your package for the replacement value if it would become
damaged, lost, or stolen.
- Register your package and ask for delivery confirmation to give you
peace of mind that it has arrived. *WE MUST HAVE ADVANCED
NOTICE IF YOU SHIP A FIREARM, AND APPROVE YOUR ABILITY TO
DO SO PRIOR TO SHIPPING YOUR FIREARM!*
- Nothing on the outside of the box should reveal a firearm is
enclosed. (Federal Law).
- Take the package to the main facility in your area, NOT a drop box!
You must verbally notify the customer service clerk the package
contains a firearm! (Federal law).
We do charge a fee of $25.00 for receiving firearms via mail as we must take time off from our full-time job to be present at our part-time business location to sign for your package. There is no fee for shipping non-firearm items, such as: knives, non-governed weapon accessories (grips, optics, etc.), sunglasses, yeti cups, etc.
Picking Up Your Firearm
We prefer whoever dropped off the firearm (if applicable) to be the person to pick it up. Doing this saves you, and us, time. However, we will release your firearm to a third-party on your behalf under the following conditions:
1). They must provide us with a state/federally issued photo ID.
2). They will be subject to a NICS check (National Instant Criminal
Background Check System) and must be found legally permitted
to take possession of your firearm.
3). They must complete an affidavit stating they are eligible to
purchase a firearm under federal law (ATF Form 4473).
We do charge a fee of $25.00 for third-party pickups (of firearms only) as it consumes our time and resources by completing paperwork, conducting background checks, and filing records which must be retained for the duration of our FFL license. If we have already began the steps to lawfully verify the release of your firearm to your chosen third-party, and they are found to be disqualified by local/state/federal law to take possession of your firearm, you will still be charged a fee of $25.00, even if they are unable to take lawful possession of your firearm. There is no fee for a third-party pickup of non-firearm items, such as: knives, non-governed weapon accessories, sunglasses, yeti cups, etc.
WEAPON PICKUP REQUIREMENTS
- Please ensure that you have a valid, government-issued photo ID when
picking up your firearm.
- When picking up your firearm, we ask that you provide your current,
physical address on ATF Form 4473, the "Firearms Transaction Record"
paperwork required to be completed by the ATF. Please note that if the address on your ID does not match your residential address you will be required to provide a second form of government-issued document for verification (i.e. vehicle registration, vehicle title, hunting license, or
voter ID card).