In most of the U.S., yes: ammunition you buy online can ship straight to your door. A handful of states and cities add their own rules, from background checks to dealer-only delivery. Here is how ammo shipping works and what to check for where you live.
The federal rules
Federal law doesn’t require ammunition to go through a dealer the way firearms do. It does set minimum ages for buying from a licensed seller: 21 for handgun ammunition and 18 for rifle and shotgun ammunition. Ammunition counts as a regulated hazardous material for shipping, so it travels by ground with UPS or FedEx rather than by air or the U.S. Postal Service.
How we ship ammunition
- Ammo ships by ground from our distribution partners’ warehouses.
- An adult signature (21+) is required on delivery.
- We can’t ship ammunition to P.O. boxes, APO/FPO addresses, Alaska or Hawaii.
- Items from different warehouses may arrive in separate boxes with separate tracking.
The full policy is on our Shipping & State Restrictions page.
States and cities with extra rules
Ammunition laws change often, and some places set rules well beyond federal law. Examples include:
- California, where most ammunition purchases must go through a licensed ammunition vendor with an eligibility check, so online orders can’t ship to a home.
- New York, which requires ammunition sales to go through a licensed dealer with a background check.
- Illinois and Massachusetts, which require buyers to hold a state firearms ID or license.
- Cities and counties with their own ordinances, which can be stricter than their state.
Our checkout checks your shipping address and blocks ammunition that can’t ship there. If your area requires ammo to go through a local dealer, contact us before ordering.
Tips for buying ammo online
- Match the caliber to your gun. Check the barrel or slide marking, not just the box label. For example, a rifle marked .223 Remington only should not fire 5.56 NATO, and 20 gauge shells must never be mixed with 12 gauge.
- Buy practice ammo in bulk. Larger boxes and cases usually cost less per round.
- Pick the right bullet for the job: full metal jacket for practice, hollow points for defense, and expanding or bonded bullets for hunting.
- Check your state’s hunting rules for lead-free requirements and straight-wall cartridge rules.
Shop by caliber
Find 9mm ammo, 5.56 and .223 ammo, .308 ammo, .45 ACP ammo, 12 gauge shells and the rest of our ammunition.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Federal, state and local laws change and vary by location; check the current laws where you live before you buy, ship or carry.
