New York firearm parts shipping restrictions: Quick guide

Shipping firearm parts into New York is a minefield for eCommerce sellers. It's a notoriously difficult state, tangled in a web of state laws, even tougher local rules in places like New York City, and specific carrier policies that can change on a dime. Getting it right means knowing the geographic no-go zones, understanding the SAFE Act’s nuanced definitions, and knowing exactly when a part must go to a Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder.

Decoding New York's Firearm Parts Shipping Maze

For online stores, the real headache with New York isn't a single, clear-cut rule. It's a messy patchwork of regulations that can flip based on a customer's zip code. You’re dealing with a multi-layered legal landscape where a part you can legally ship to one town is flat-out prohibited in the next. This puts a massive compliance burden on your shoulders, turning every New York order into a potential risk.

The complexity really boils down to two main sources:

• The SAFE Act: This is the state-level law that sets the baseline. It defines what constitutes an "assault weapon" feature, which directly ropes in parts like pistol grips, threaded barrels, and certain types of stocks.
• Local Ordinances: On top of state law, major cities—especially New York City—pile on their own, often stricter, set of rules.

This means a one-size-fits-all approach to compliance is doomed to fail. You have to be able to tell the difference between shipping to Albany and shipping to Brooklyn, because the rules are not the same.

Geographic and Component-Specific Prohibitions

New York’s tiered approach is crystal clear when you look at its geographic restrictions. The state outright bans direct-to-consumer shipments of ammunition and firearms to five specific counties: Bronx, Kings (Brooklyn), Nassau, Queens, and Richmond (Staten Island). This move effectively cuts off direct sales to millions of people in and around NYC, forcing all transactions through local FFLs.

But it’s not just about where you’re shipping. The parts themselves are under a microscope. Magazine capacity is the most obvious one, and you can get a full breakdown in our guide on state-by-state magazine capacity restrictions. Just as critical, though, are all the other components that contribute to features defined as restricted under the SAFE Act.

To help clarify, here’s a quick rundown of parts that frequently cause issues for sellers shipping into New York.

Quick Reference Guide to Restricted Parts in New York

This table summarizes some of the most commonly restricted firearm components under New York law. It’s a good starting point for understanding what will get your shipments flagged.

This isn't an exhaustive list, but it covers the big items that trip up most online stores. The key is to check the specific part against both state and local laws for the destination address.

The most common mistake I see sellers make is thinking state-level compliance is good enough. An order might look fine under the SAFE Act but completely violate a New York City administrative code. The result? A seized package, a lost customer, and a massive headache for your business.

At the end of the day, selling into New York demands a granular, address-specific validation process. Without it, you’re flying blind and exposing your business to serious financial and legal risks with every single order.

How the SAFE Act Reshaped Firearm Part Sales

To get a real handle on New York's tangled web of shipping restrictions, you have to rewind to 2013. That's when the Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement (SAFE) Act hit the scene, and it was a seismic event for anyone selling firearm parts in the state. This wasn't just a minor tweak to existing regulations; it completely rewrote the playbook.

The law's biggest impact came from its new, much broader definition of an "assault weapon." Common features found on countless modern sporting rifles were suddenly reclassified as prohibited. Almost overnight, standard inventory items became high-risk products if they were heading to a New York address. This is the root cause of why so many parts get flagged today.

The Magazine Capacity Rollercoaster

One of the most confusing and frustrating parts of the SAFE Act has been its back-and-forth on magazine capacity. Before the law, New York adhered to the widely accepted 10-round limit. The SAFE Act slashed that down to just 7 rounds, even for magazines that were designed to hold 10.

This rule was so contentious that it was challenged almost immediately. About a year later, a federal judge threw out the 7-round limit, bumping the legal capacity back up to 10 rounds. This whole messy history is a perfect example of the legal volatility that sellers have to deal with. If you want to dive deeper, you can discover more about the legal journey of these regulations and see how it continues to impact parts possession.

The constant legal battles around the SAFE Act prove that compliance is never a "set it and forget it" job. A perfectly legal shipment one day could become a serious violation the next. This is exactly why an automated, up-to-date compliance system isn't a luxury—it's a necessity for shipping to New York.

Banned Features That Redefine Your Catalog

Magazines aside, the real minefield for parts sellers is the SAFE Act's strict definition of an "assault weapon." Under the law, a semi-automatic rifle that has a detachable magazine is considered an "assault weapon" if it has just one prohibited feature. This has massive implications for individual components.

Shipping a standalone part might seem harmless, but if that component can be used to create a prohibited feature, you're looking at a potential compliance disaster. These are the parts that instantly became high-risk:

• Pistol Grips: Specifically, any grip that "protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon."
• Thumbhole Stocks: Stocks designed to let the shooter's thumb pass through the stock.
• Folding or Telescoping Stocks: Any stock that can be adjusted to shorten the rifle's overall length.
• Threaded Barrels: Barrels made to accept muzzle devices like flash suppressors or muzzle brakes.
• Flash Suppressors: These are explicitly named and banned by the legislation.

Knowing this history helps explain the "why" behind the restrictions. Every part on that list is tied directly to the SAFE Act's goal of eliminating certain firearm features from the state. For any eCommerce business, this context is vital. It lets you build a shipping strategy that's not just reactive, but smart, effective, and legally sound.

Navigating Carrier Policies and FFL Requirements

Just because you're compliant with New York state law doesn't mean you're in the clear. Your shipping carriers—think UPS, FedEx, and USPS—operate under their own, often much stricter, set of rules. For any eCommerce business in this space, this creates a second, critical layer of compliance where a carrier's internal policy can completely override what the law allows.

Getting this wrong is a fast track to returned packages, suspended accounts, and a whole lot of operational chaos.

Carriers have specific protocols for firearm components, and these are designed to manage their own liability, not to perfectly align with the nuances of state law. To them, it's all about broad risk management. They often don't distinguish between a regulated part and a simple accessory with the same fine-toothed comb that a lawyer would.

A classic mistake is assuming that just because a part is legal to ship under the SAFE Act, a carrier will automatically take it. The reality is, carriers can and will flag and return packages with items like certain muzzle devices or even pistol grips if their internal policies deem them too risky—regardless of their legal status in New York.

Direct Shipments Versus FFL Transfers

The most important distinction you need to make is what can ship directly to a customer's doorstep versus what absolutely must go to a Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder. This isn't just a suggestion or a best practice; for certain components, it's a federal requirement.

The whole thing hinges on the serialized part of a firearm—the one piece that is legally defined as the firearm itself.

• Frames and Receivers: These are the big ones. Any finished frame or receiver that has a serial number is considered a firearm by the ATF. It must be shipped to a licensed FFL dealer, who is then required to perform a background check before transferring it to your customer. No exceptions.
• Non-Serialized Parts: Most other components—think barrels, slides, triggers, and stocks—are not legally considered firearms. These can generally be shipped directly to a customer’s home, but only if they don’t violate any of New York's specific feature restrictions (like a threaded barrel on a pistol or a prohibited stock on a rifle).

Getting a handle on the different FFL types and their roles is fundamental to running a smooth operation. For a deeper look, our guide on understanding FFLs, their types, and requirements is a great resource for eCommerce sellers.

Proper Labeling and Documentation

How you label your box is every bit as important as what's inside it. Carriers have strict rules designed to ensure firearm-related shipments are handled correctly while not drawing the wrong kind of attention.

UPS, for instance, has specific labeling requirements for packages that contain actual firearms (like a receiver) and mandates they be declared. While most non-regulated parts don't need that level of declaration, don't get clever. Vague descriptions like "machined parts" are a red flag that can easily trigger an inspection and cause serious delays.

The best policy is always transparency and accuracy on your shipping manifests and labels. It’s the surest way to prevent a wary carrier from seizing or returning your packages.

Building Your Bulletproof eCommerce Compliance System

Let's turn legal knowledge into practical, automated action. Manually checking every single New York order against a tangled web of state, county, and city laws isn't just slow—it's a recipe for expensive mistakes. A truly robust compliance system should work quietly in the background, making the right call automatically so you can get back to running your business.

This is where you build your digital defense. It’s all about setting up smart, location-based shipping rules that stop prohibited items from ever reaching a checkout in a restricted area. Think of it as a digital gatekeeper that gets the nuances of New York's firearm parts laws without you having to intervene on every single sale.

Creating Smart Shipping Rules

The core of any automated system is a set of precise rules. You have to translate the legal jargon into clear "if-then" logic for your online store. For example: "If the shipping address is in zip code 11201 (Brooklyn), then block the sale of any magazine." This is infinitely more effective than a blanket ban on all New York sales that costs you legitimate business.

Tools like ShipRestrict are built for this exact job. They let you create restrictions based on:

• Specific Products: Isolate high-risk parts like threaded barrels or pistol grips.
• Product Categories: Block entire categories, like all magazines, from certain zones.
• Geographic Zones: Apply rules by state, county, city, or even down to individual zip codes.

For anyone running an eCommerce store, especially on a platform like WooCommerce, getting these automated checks in place is fundamental. If you want a deeper dive, our guide on firearms and ammunition shipping compliance for WooCommerce stores walks you through the entire process.

The Power of Address Validation

A rule is only as good as the data it's working with, which is why solid address validation is non-negotiable. A good system has to instantly recognize that an order for a 15-round magazine heading to "Brooklyn, NY" is a no-go, even if the customer fumbles the street name. It catches orders bound for prohibited zones before they're ever processed.

The real power of an automated system is its ability to stop a non-compliant sale before it happens. It’s proactive, not reactive. This shift saves an incredible amount of time, money, and potential legal exposure for your business.

Getting a handle on the foundational principles of regulatory compliance is key to building a system that can effectively manage these complex state-level rules.

The infographic below gives you a quick visual of the decision-making process for shipping parts, highlighting that critical choice between shipping direct or sending it through an FFL.

This simple flow shows just how an automated system can make these critical shipping decisions on the fly, based entirely on the product and where it's headed.

Clear and Proactive Customer Messaging

Finally, a bulletproof system is transparent. When a customer from Queens tries to buy a restricted part, they shouldn't just get a vague error message. Instead, your site should display clear, helpful text right on the product page or at checkout.

A simple message like, "Due to local regulations in your area, this item cannot be shipped to your address," turns a potentially frustrating moment into an understandable one. This kind of proactive communication cuts down on customer service headaches and builds trust, even when you can't make the sale. It proves you’re a responsible seller who knows the law.

Don't Get Burned: Common Pitfalls and How to Mitigate Risk

Even with a solid compliance system, shipping firearm parts into New York is a high-stakes game. A single mistake isn't just a lost sale or a returned package. It can set off a chain reaction of serious, business-altering consequences. Knowing where the landmines are is the first step to building an operation that’s truly resilient.

Let's be blunt about what's at risk. A package with a prohibited part sent to a New York City zip code can get seized. That’s not just a product write-off; it can trigger audits, painful fines, and in the worst-case scenarios, legal action. On top of that, carriers like UPS or FedEx might flag your account, leading to intense scrutiny on every future shipment you send—or they might just drop you entirely.

Tunnel Vision on State Law

One of the easiest and most costly mistakes is thinking state-level compliance is the finish line. It’s not. An FFL might correctly block a 15-round magazine from being shipped anywhere in New York State, which is great. But they might completely miss that a standard pistol grip is also a no-go in New York City if it’s for a semi-automatic rifle. This kind of hyper-local focus is absolutely non-negotiable.

When you look at the data, this intense scrutiny from regulators makes perfect sense. New York's tough gun laws have, perhaps unintentionally, created a booming market for illegal trafficking. A sobering report from the New York Attorney General found that a staggering 87% of all crime guns recovered in NYC came from out-of-state. For handguns, that number jumps to an incredible 92%. You can read the full firearm trafficking report to see just how serious this issue is.

Think about that for a second. When regulators know that nine out of ten crime handguns are flowing in from other states, every single box from an out-of-state FFL is viewed with suspicion. Your compliance setup isn't just a business process; it's your primary defense against getting mistakenly swept up in this illegal flow of hardware.

"Set It and Forget It" Compliance

Another massive risk is poor record-keeping and stale rules. When your system blocks a sale to a restricted address, you need an audit log. That log is your proof of due diligence. It shows you actively prevented a non-compliant order. If an auditor ever comes knocking, that log is your best friend. Without it, you have no way to defend your actions.

Just as dangerous is relying on a static list of restrictions you built a year ago. Laws change. Interpretations of those laws change. A rule that was perfectly accurate last year could be a compliance failure today. The biggest weak points I see are:

• Relying on Manual Checks: A shipping clerk trying to cross-reference a zip code against a spreadsheet is a recipe for human error. It's not a matter of if a mistake will happen, but when.
• Outdated Restriction Lists: The "set it and forget it" approach to shipping rules is a guaranteed way to fail an audit or get a package seized.
• Ignoring Carrier Policies: FedEx and UPS can update their policies on firearm parts whenever they want. What was an acceptable shipment yesterday could be a violation of their terms of service today, putting your shipping account at risk.

You can't fight a dynamic problem with static tools. Mitigating these risks demands an automated, up-to-date system that keeps a crystal-clear record of every decision it makes. It’s the only way to prove your commitment to doing things by the book.

Frequently Asked Questions

Let's tackle some of the most common questions we hear from sellers trying to navigate New York's complex shipping rules. These are the real-world, practical scenarios that can trip up even experienced businesses.

Can I Ship a Rifle Upper Receiver to New York?

Generally, yes. The ATF doesn't classify a standard upper receiver as a firearm, which is the good news. The bad news? This is exactly where New York's specific parts restrictions create a minefield.

You absolutely must ensure the upper doesn't have any features that would make a semi-automatic rifle illegal in the state. Think pre-installed flash hiders or threaded barrels—these are immediate red flags. You also have to be incredibly careful about the final destination. An upper that’s perfectly fine to ship upstate could be completely prohibited by a local ordinance in a place like New York City. Always, always verify both state and local rules for every single shipment.

A common and costly mistake is assuming "not a firearm" means "no restrictions." In New York, the features on the part can matter just as much as the part itself. An upper with a non-compliant muzzle device already attached becomes a prohibited item for that destination.

What Happens if I Ship a 15-Round Magazine?

Shipping a magazine over the 10-round limit to New York isn't just a simple mistake; it's a major compliance failure with swift consequences.

The package will almost certainly be intercepted and seized, either by the carrier or by law enforcement. You won't just lose the product and the shipping cost—this can trigger hefty fines and potentially even legal action against your business. This kind of error also puts your shipping accounts in serious jeopardy. Carriers like UPS and FedEx have zero tolerance for these violations and may suspend or completely terminate your shipping privileges. It’s a textbook example of why an automated, zip-code-aware rule system is a non-negotiable for any store shipping to New York.

Can I Ship Restricted Parts to an FFL in Queens?

No. This is a common misconception, but shipping to an FFL is not a loophole to get around local laws. If a part, like a standard capacity magazine over 10 rounds, is illegal for a civilian to possess in Queens, you cannot legally ship it to an FFL there for transfer to that civilian.

The local restrictions in places like Queens, Brooklyn, or the other NYC boroughs apply to the item itself. The FFL is bound by the exact same local possession laws as any other resident. Trying to use a dealer as a workaround for New York's tough geographic prohibitions is a compliance dead end that will only result in a failed transfer and a returned package.

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Navigating New York's patchwork of shipping rules demands a powerful, automated solution. Ship Restrict for WooCommerce lets you build precise, location-based rules that stop prohibited orders before they ever become a problem. Stop guessing and start shipping with confidence. Visit https://shiprestrict.com to see how it works.