How to Send Firearms, Ammunition, and Gunpowder Interstate in Australia – A Complete Guide

When selling firearms, ammunition, or gunpowder online in Australia, it's crucial to follow the legal requirements for shipping these items interstate. From selecting the right postal services to ensuring compliance with state laws, this guide will walk you through the steps of safely and legally transporting firearms, ammunition, and gunpowder across state lines.

1. Choosing the Right Postal Service

You cannot use regular postal services like Australia Post to ship firearms, ammunition, or gunpowder. However, there are several courier services licensed to transport these items within Australia. These include:

• StarTrack: A subsidiary of Australia Post, StarTrack began offering firearms transport services in 2021 through StarTrack Express and StarTrack Security Express. More information.
• Armaguard: A trusted courier service for high-security items, including firearms, ammunition, and gunpowder. More information.

Note: As of 2021, TNT (FedEx Australia) no longer transports firearms and ammunition in Australia.

Always verify with the courier that they are certified to transport firearms, ammunition, and gunpowder legally and securely.

2. Packaging Guidelines for Firearms

Firearms must be securely packaged to prevent damage and ensure compliance with regulations. Here’s how to package firearms for shipment:

• Hard Case or Secure Wrapping: Use a tamper-proof hard case or securely wrap the firearm using materials like bubble wrap. The package must be tamper-evident, meaning it should show signs if anyone tries to access it.
• Disassemble the Firearm: Remove detachable parts like the bolt, magazine, and optics to ensure safe transport.
• Ammunition: Ammunition cannot be shipped with the firearm. It must be packaged and sent separately, following ammunition shipping regulations.
• Discretion: The package must not advertise that it contains a firearm for security reasons.

Tamper-proof packaging can be sourced from the following suppliers:

1. Secur-Pak: Offers tamper-evident bags and packaging used for high-security shipments.
2. Tamper Evident: Provides a variety of tamper-evident bags, seals, and tapes for secure shipments.
3. Uline Australia: Offers a wide selection of tamper-evident packaging, including security bags and seals.
4. TamperTech: Specialises in tamper-evident tapes and labels for secure transport.
5. Mega Fortris Australia: A leading provider of tamper-evident security seals, bags, and tapes.

3. State-by-State Firearm Shipping Requirements

Each state in Australia has specific regulations for shipping firearms. Here’s a breakdown of the rules across various states:

New South Wales (NSW):

• Permit to Acquire (PTA): Required for all firearm acquisitions.
• Firearms must be sent to licensed firearm dealers, shooting clubs, or police-approved storage facilities.
• More information.

Victoria:

• Permit to Acquire (PTA): Required for every firearm purchase.
• Firearms must be transferred via a licensed firearm dealer.
• More information.

Queensland:

• Permit to Acquire (PTA): The buyer must have a PTA before the firearm can be shipped or transferred.
• Firearms must be sent to a licensed dealer.
• More information.

Western Australia (WA):

• Permit to Acquire is required. Firearms must be sent to a licensed dealer for legal transfer.
• More information.

South Australia:

• Permit to Acquire is required. Firearms must be sent to a licensed dealer who will handle the transfer.
• More information.

Tasmania:

• A Permit to Acquire is required for all firearm purchases.
• Firearms must be sent to licensed dealers for processing.
• More information.

Northern Territory (NT):

• A Permit to Acquire is required. Firearms must be sent to a licensed dealer or police-approved facility for legal transfer.
• More information.

4. Shipping Firearms with Licensed Couriers: Armaguard and StarTrack

When shipping firearms, it’s essential to use a licensed and reliable courier service. Here’s a breakdown of using Armaguard and StarTrack for firearm transport:

Using Armaguard for Firearm Transport

• Licensed Firearm Transport: Armaguard is certified for secure firearm transportation across Australia.
• Secure Collection & Delivery: Provides tamper-proof and secure transport services for firearms, ensuring safe delivery to licensed firearm dealers.
• How to Use Armaguard: Contact Armaguard to arrange the collection and delivery of your firearm. Ensure all relevant licences and permits are in place. More information.

Using StarTrack for Firearm Transport

• Licensed Courier: StarTrack, a subsidiary of Australia Post, offers firearm transport services via StarTrack Express and StarTrack Security Express.
• Safe Delivery: Ensure the firearm is securely packaged, and check StarTrack’s requirements for firearm transport. Learn more here.

5. Shipping Ammunition and Gunpowder

Shipping ammunition and gunpowder within Australia requires compliance with strict safety regulations, as both are considered hazardous materials. Unlike firearms, ammunition and gunpowder cannot be shipped together with firearms and must follow specific packaging and transport guidelines.

Ammunition Shipping Guidelines

• Licensed Courier: Ammunition must be shipped through licensed courier services that are authorised to handle dangerous goods, such as StarTrack and Armaguard.
• Packaging Requirements:
  • Ammunition must be securely packed in a rigid, durable container that prevents movement.
  • Use proper labelling to identify the package as containing hazardous goods, including the UN number for small arms ammunition (UN0012 or UN0014).
  • Ensure the box or container is sealed, tamper-proof, and does not allow any leakage of materials.
• Separate from Firearms: Ammunition must be shipped separately from firearms.

Gunpowder Shipping Guidelines

• Licensed Courier: Like ammunition, gunpowder can only be shipped via couriers that specialise in transporting hazardous goods, such as StarTrack or Armaguard.
• Packaging Requirements:
  • Gunpowder must be transported in its original packaging or securely sealed in a sturdy, non-flammable container.
  • The package must be marked as Explosives with the relevant UN number (UN0027 or UN0028).

Important Restriction:

According to Australia Post regulations, gunpowder is classified as an explosive and is prohibited from being sent through regular postal services like Australia Post. Only specialised couriers that handle dangerous goods can legally transport gunpowder. More information on Australia Post's dangerous goods restrictions.

Ensure that you use a certified courier for shipping gunpowder and follow strict compliance with local hazardous goods laws.

Conclusion

Shipping firearms, ammunition, and gunpowder interstate in Australia requires strict adherence to regulations and packaging standards. Use certified services like StarTrack or Armaguard, and follow all packaging and transport guidelines. Ensure you are compliant with state-specific firearm, ammunition, and gunpowder shipping laws, and always ship to a licensed dealer or registered club.

Looking for a reputable dealer to handle your firearm, ammunition, and gunpowder transactions? Visit Gun Traders Australia to find trusted dealers near you and explore our wide range of high-quality firearms and accessories. For more information on shipping firearms, ammunition, and gunpowder, or to browse our products, visit Gun Traders Australia today.