How to Ship Ammunition via UPS

Ammunition is regulated as a hazardous material. UPS accepts small arms ammunition under a Limited Quantity exception — ground only, from a UPS Customer Center, with proper packaging and labeling.

The Rules

Sealed ammunition boxes stacked in a corrugated shipping box with hazmat labels

UPS accepts "cartridges, small arms" ammunition (as defined in 49 C.F.R. § 173.59) under a Limited Quantity exception. This means:

UPS Ground only — within the 48 contiguous states, Intra-Oahu, and Intra-Alaska
No international shipments
Not accepted at UPS Stores, UPS Access Points, or Drop Boxes — must go through a UPS Customer Center or scheduled pickup
Cannot be packaged with firearms
Cannot be shipped to anyone under 18
Maximum package weight: 66 lbs (30 kg)
Maximum caliber: 12.7 mm (50 caliber / 0.5 inch) for rifle/pistol, 8 gauge for shotgun shells

Packaging Requirements

Must use new corrugated packaging meeting UPS Single Wall Box Strength Guidelines
Ammunition must be packed with internal boxes, partitions, or metal clips that fit snugly
Outer packaging must be securely closed and cannot open during transport
Must be marked with the Limited Quantity hazmat label — a black-and-white diamond, approximately 4 inches square

What About Other Carriers?

FedEx: Ammunition is a dangerous good and may never be shipped from a FedEx Office or FedEx retail location. It requires a FedEx dangerous goods account.

USPS: Ammunition is prohibited in USPS mail under any circumstances.

DHL: Ammunition is generally not accepted for shipment.

What This Means for You

If you are an individual with a box of ammunition to ship, your options are limited:

UPS Ground from a UPS Customer Center — you pack it per hazmat rules, label it, and drop it at a UPS hub (not a retail store)
No retail store (including us) can accept ammunition for drop-off or shipping
If you need help with non-hazmat items — boxes, fragile goods, documents — we are here for that. Stop by Mailbox Plus at 7554 Fredle Drive, Concord Township.

Reference: View UPS official ammunition shipping policy →

We are not attorneys and cannot provide legal advice. This information is for educational purposes and reflects carrier policies as we understand them. Laws vary by state and change frequently. Always consult the carrier directly and review applicable federal and state regulations before shipping regulated items.

Reference: UPS official ammunition shipping policy →(opens in a new tab)

Frequently Asked Questions

Get quick answers to the most common questions about packaging, carriers, pricing, and what to expect.

Can I ship ammunition through USPS?

No. USPS prohibits ammunition in any class of mail.

Can I drop ammunition off at The UPS Store?

No. Ammunition may only be tendered at a UPS Customer Center (operational facility) or through a scheduled pickup. UPS Stores, Access Points, and drop boxes cannot accept it.

Do I need a hazmat certification?

For Limited Quantity small arms ammunition (under 66 lbs, under 50 caliber), no special certification is needed — but you must follow the packaging and labeling rules exactly. Larger quantities require a hazmat agreement.

We cannot accept ammunition at our counter, but we can help with everything else — gifts, fragile items, documents, electronics, and more.

Stop By →

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“Great place with easy and fast shipping services. Frank was excellent! Not only was he friendly and professional, but went out of his way to find me the easiest and most affordable option to ship my golf clubs across country while I was visiting OH. Made things simple and my travels way easier.”

“This is my new favorite place for shipping and returns. Helpful and happy staff. It just doesn’t get any easier when you have returns with multiple shippers. UPS, FedEx, USPS, DHL, Happy Returns, etc. They can also ensure you get the best shipping rates because they provide service for so many shippers. Just awesome!!!”

“Frank, the owner of Mailbox Plus in Concord Township by Lucky’s Market, is truly exceptional. He is brilliant, thoughtful, attentive, and takes the work of shipping and transportation seriously. I have been mailing sentimental items—some quite large and bulky—to different parts of the U.S., and Frank consistently goes above and beyond to make sure everything is handled with care. Most recently, my friend received a set of 10 collector plates, and they arrived safe and sound because they were packaged so exceptionally well. If you talk with Frank, you quickly learn that he has a real philosophy and a deep sense of care when it comes to shipping people’s belongings. He treats each item with respect, and that means so much. Beyond the quality of his work, Frank is simply a good man. He listened kindly while we rang up the transaction, and having such a friendly, caring person behind the counter made the experience even more meaningful. I am grateful for his help and highly recommend supporting this store.”