How FFL Transfers Work and What They Cost
Coming soon: Sunlit Carry is a North Port, Florida business that is getting ready to launch. We are not selling firearms or doing transfers yet, and this guide has no prices or listings. It explains how an FFL transfer works so you know what to expect when you buy a gun online.
If you have ever found a gun online, whether on GunBroker, a distributor's website or a big retailer's site, you have probably seen the line "ships to your FFL." That is because, in most cases, a firearm bought across state lines or from a seller you never meet can't be mailed straight to your door. It goes to a federally licensed dealer near you, who checks your eligibility and hands it over. That handoff is called an FFL transfer.
This guide walks through what an FFL transfer is, the step-by-step process, what the fees cover, the Florida rules that apply when you pick up here, and the mistakes that most often slow a transfer down.
What is an FFL transfer?
FFL stands for Federal Firearms License, the license the ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) issues to people and businesses that deal in guns. People also use "FFL" to mean the licensed dealer itself, as in "ship it to my FFL."
An FFL transfer is when a licensed dealer receives a firearm on your behalf, logs it into their records, runs the required background check and then transfers it to you. The dealer you pick up from is usually called the receiving FFL. The seller, whether that's another dealer, a manufacturer or a private person shipping through a dealer, is the shipping or sending party.
You will run into transfers in a few common situations:
- Buying online. Online retailers and auction sites ship firearms to a licensed dealer, not to your house.
- Buying from out of state. Federal law generally requires interstate transfers between non-licensed people to go through a dealer in the buyer's state of residence.
- Private sales with a paper trail. Some buyers and sellers in the same state choose to run a private sale through a dealer so the buyer gets a background check and both sides have a record. In Florida, private sales between residents are not required to go through a dealer, but some people prefer it.
- Getting a gun back. Guns returned from a manufacturer's warranty repair or from a gunsmith in another state may also come through a dealer, depending on who shipped them and how.
The FFL transfer process, step by step
1. Pick your receiving dealer before you buy
Before you check out online, contact the local dealer you want to use. Ask whether they accept transfers, what they charge, whether they take transfers from private sellers, and whether they need an appointment for pickup. Many small dealers, including home-based ones, work by appointment only.
2. Get the dealer's license to the seller
The seller has to verify that they are shipping to a licensed dealer. Usually that means getting a copy of the receiving dealer's license. Many dealers email it to sellers directly, and large sellers often keep licenses on file. When you check out, you give the seller the dealer's name, and sometimes their license number, so the right dealer is on the shipping label.
3. The gun ships to the dealer
The seller ships the firearm to the dealer's licensed premises, not to you. Shipping rules depend on the carrier and on whether the shipper is licensed, so let the seller handle that part.
4. The dealer logs it in
When the package arrives, the dealer checks the serial number and records the gun in their acquisition and disposition records, often called the "bound book." Then they let you know it's ready. Federal law requires this logging step, which is one reason a transfer isn't always same-day.
5. You fill out ATF Form 4473
At pickup, you fill out ATF Form 4473, the Firearms Transaction Record, and show a valid government-issued photo ID. The form asks for your identifying information and a series of yes or no eligibility questions. Answer every question truthfully and carefully. Lying on a 4473 is a federal crime.
6. The background check
The dealer runs a background check before the gun can change hands. In most states that check goes to the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). Florida is different: the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) runs the checks for Florida dealers through its Firearm Purchase Program, and it searches state databases on top of the federal ones. The result can come back approved, non-approved or "decision pending" while the analyst checks more records.
7. You take the gun home
Once the check is approved and any waiting period has passed, the dealer completes the paperwork and transfers the firearm to you.
What do FFL transfers cost?
There is no standard transfer fee. Each dealer sets their own, and fees vary a lot by area and by type of shop. Some dealers charge a flat fee per gun, some charge less for each extra gun in the same transaction, and some charge more for transfers from private sellers or for certain types of firearms. Call or check the dealer's website before you buy so there are no surprises at pickup.
In Florida, one part of the cost is set by the state. The FDLE rule for dealer sales requires the dealer to collect a $5 non-refundable processing fee for the background check (Florida Administrative Code rule 11C-6.009). Some dealers include it in their transfer fee and some list it separately, so ask which way yours does it.
Other costs you might see:
- Shipping and insurance, which you usually pay to the seller at checkout.
- Sales tax, depending on the sale and where the seller is. A dealer is not automatically the one who collects it on a transfer, so check the listing and ask your dealer.
- Return shipping, if the gun has to go back to the seller because something went wrong.
Sunlit Carry will post its transfer policy and fees on this site when we launch.
Florida rules that apply at pickup
When you pick up a gun from a Florida dealer, Florida law applies on top of federal law. The main points:
- Minimum age of 21. Since 2018, Florida law generally bars anyone under 21 from buying any firearm, long guns included, and bars dealers from selling or transferring one to them. The Florida House has voted to lower the long gun age to 18 several times, most recently with HB 133 in January 2026, but the bill died in the Senate in March 2026, so the age is still 21.
- Handgun waiting period. The Florida Constitution requires a waiting period of three days, not counting weekends and legal holidays, between buying a handgun and picking it up. People with a valid Florida concealed weapons license are exempt, and so is trading in another handgun.
- County waiting periods. The Constitution also lets counties set their own waiting periods of three to five days for firearm sales on property open to the public. Some counties have one and some don't, so ask your dealer what applies where you pick up.
- Background check fee. The $5 FDLE fee described above.
We are writing a full guide to buying a gun in Florida. It will be on the Sunlit Carry blog soon.
Handguns vs long guns across state lines
Federal law treats handguns and long guns differently when you buy outside your home state. A licensed dealer can only transfer a handgun to a resident of the dealer's own state. So if you live in Georgia and want a handgun from a Florida seller, it has to ship to a dealer in Georgia.
Long guns, meaning rifles and shotguns, have more room. A dealer can sell a rifle or shotgun in person to a resident of another state as long as the sale complies with the laws of both states. That's why a visitor can sometimes buy a rifle while traveling. Because state laws vary so much, many dealers simply ask out-of-state buyers to ship long guns home to a dealer there too.
Firearm-related offers from Sunlit Carry will not be available to California residents.
Common problems that slow down a transfer
- The seller doesn't have the dealer's license. Confirm the seller received it before the gun ships.
- Wrong name or address on the package. The label should match the dealer's licensed premises.
- Your ID doesn't show your current address. If your license has an old address, bring a government-issued document that shows the current one, and ask the dealer what they accept before you go.
- A "decision pending" result. These usually clear on their own, but they can take a while. If you think the result is wrong, the dealer can give you the transaction number you need to contact FDLE or file an appeal.
- The gun isn't legal where you live. Check your state and local laws before you buy, especially for magazines, features and certain models.
- No appointment. If your dealer works by appointment, schedule pickup ahead of time.
Tips for a smooth transfer
- Call your dealer first and ask whether they'll accept the specific firearm and seller.
- Ask about the full cost: transfer fee, background check fee and any extra charges.
- Bring a valid photo ID, and your concealed weapons license if you have one.
- Have the seller's tracking number and your order number handy.
- Inspect the firearm at pickup before you sign, so any shipping damage is noted right away.
If you're shopping for a used duty pistol, our guide on how police trade-in guns are graded explains what Grade 1, 2 and 3 usually mean before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
Can a gun be shipped directly to my house?
Generally, no. A firearm you buy from a dealer in another state or from an online seller has to ship to a licensed dealer, who completes the Form 4473 and background check with you. There are narrow exceptions, such as certain antique firearms and some repair returns.
How long does an FFL transfer take?
It depends on shipping time, how quickly the dealer logs the gun in, the background check result and any waiting period. In Florida, handguns have a three-day waiting period (excluding weekends and holidays) unless you hold a concealed weapons license.
How much does an FFL transfer cost in Florida?
Each dealer sets its own transfer fee. On top of that, Florida dealers must collect a $5 background check fee for FDLE. Ask your dealer for the full amount before you buy.
Do I need a background check for an FFL transfer?
Yes. Every transfer from a dealer to a non-licensed buyer needs a completed Form 4473 and a background check, which FDLE runs for Florida dealers.
Can I use any FFL for a transfer?
For a handgun, the dealer must be in your state of residence. Beyond that, it's up to the dealer, since not every licensed dealer accepts transfers. Call ahead to confirm.
Does Sunlit Carry do FFL transfers?
Not yet. Sunlit Carry will offer transfers by appointment in North Port, Florida once we open. Join the list below to hear when we launch.