Can You Ship Guns to an FFL 03 Collector of Curios and Relics?

Can You Ship Guns to an FFL 03 Collector of Curios and Relics?

If you’re deep into firearm collecting—or just stumbled onto a sweet old warhorse—you’ve probably asked: Can I legally ship a gun to someone with an FFL 03 license (Collector of Curios and Relics)? The short answer: Yes—but only under specific conditions.

Let’s break it down using ATF sources so you know exactly what’s allowed (and what isn’t).

What Is an FFL 03 License?

The Type 03 Federal Firearms License is issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and is designed specifically for collectors of Curios and Relics (C&R). According to the ATF:

“A licensed collector may acquire curios or relics in interstate commerce and may dispose of curios or relics to any person, licensed or unlicensed, residing within the collector’s State, and to other licensed collectors in interstate commerce.”

—ATF Federal Firearms Regulations Guide, p. 8

So what’s a “Curio or Relic”? Think classic military rifles, vintage revolvers, or anything that meets at least one of these criteria:

• Manufactured at least 50 years ago,

• Certified by a museum curator,

• Or has special historical value by reason of its design, production, or association.

Can You Ship a Gun to an FFL 03 Holder?

Yes, but only if the gun itself qualifies as a Curio or Relic.

From the ATF:

“A nonlicensee may mail a firearm directly to a licensed collector in another State only if the firearm is a curio or relic.”

—ATF FAQ – Firearms Shipping Guide

That means:

• You can legally ship a C&R firearm across state lines to someone with a valid FFL 03.

• It must be a C&R eligible gun—not a modern production Glock, AR-15, or shotgun.

• The seller should retain a copy of the collector’s FFL for their records (and verify its validity).

Important: FFL 03 holders are not dealers. They can only use their license to acquire guns for their personal collection—not to resell.

What If You’re a Dealer (FFL 01)?

If you’re an FFL 01 (like us at Gunprime), you’re also allowed to ship eligible C&R firearms to FFL 03 holders, following all normal shipping and logging procedures. You’ll still need to:

• Log the transaction in your bound book,

• Verify that the gun qualifies as C&R (per the ATF’s C&R list or meets the 50-year rule),

• And get a signed copy of the FFL 03 license.

Can Modern Guns Be Shipped to FFL 03s?

No. Only guns that qualify as Curios and Relics under ATF definitions may be shipped to a Type 03 licensee. Sending a modern firearm—like a new Sig Sauer, Springfield Hellcat, or Beretta 92X—to an FFL 03 holder without going through a dealer (FFL 01) is a violation of federal law.

Final Thoughts

Shipping a firearm to an FFL 03 collector is totally legal—as long as it’s a Curio or Relic. At Gunprime, we’ve helped countless collectors track down that one rare piece for their display case. If you’re not sure whether a gun qualifies, reach out to us. We’ll help verify it before shipping.