What are FFL Transfers?

The changing of possession of a firearm from an FFL to another FFL or a person/customer (non-FFL) is called a Firearm Transfer. The person or entity receiving the gun is the Transferee.

Any changing of possession of any item is transferring the item, however, the term “transfer,” when used with firearms, almost always means processing the gun through a licensed FFL dealer to a transferee as part of a firearm transaction.

This started with the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA), firearms that travel interstate (across state lines) must be transferred using a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL). This is true even if the purchaser has a handgun or firearm permit. This means that firearm transactions (gift, loan, sale, etc.) that happen within the same state don’t require an FFL.

NOTE: This is only under federal law – your state may require that all transactions go through an FFL.

If you want to loan/gift/sell a firearm to your friend while you are both residents of the same state (and while you’re both in that state), you don’t need to use an FFL under federal law. This is true even if you’re shipping the firearm within the same state. However, see below the breakdown on shipping firearms.

Regular FFL Processing – Transfers are processed within 48 hours of arriving at our facility on a first delivered - first served basis. 

If you need your item processed faster, please look into our Expedited FFL Processing. 

Expedited FFL Processing – Transfers that need to be processed as soon as possible can have this arranged if tracking information is provided for an additional fee. Email clevelandgunsales@gmail.com to coordinate.

Private Sale Background Checks – Helps make a private sale more secure. Sell a gun to someone you know by ensuring they are eligible to purchase a firearm in Texas and finalize the transaction in our secure environment.

Transfer Fees COST

Class 1 Items: $20.00 per Item

NOTE: CLASS 1 Items include: Any standard pistol (semi or revolver action) any standard rifle (semi, revolver,

Bolt in a legal length)

Class 3 Items: $100.00 per Item

NOTE: CLASS 3 Items include: SBR’s (short barreled rifles) Silencers, machine guns and other items other than any class 1 items.

What is the FFL Transfer Fee?

Your local FFL (the receiving FFL) is likely to charge an FFL Transfer fee to cover their time and any costs in that state for the NICS background check.

FFL Transfers fees depend on your local gun dealer.

Transfer fees at Cleveland Gun Sales LLC are:

  • Handguns and Long guns - Regular Processing $20.00per item

    1. Handguns and Long guns - Expedited Processing: $40.00per item

    2. NFA Items: $100 per item

    3. Background Checks for 1 on 1 sales: $45 each

You should ALWAYS ask your FFL what their transfer fees are before you pick that FFL.

INBOUND FFL STORAGE POLICY

 1. All inbound FFL transfers to Cleveland Gun Sales LLC are expected to be picked up within 30 days, unless express arrangements are made in writing via this e-mail.

2. All inbound FFL transfers that have not been picked up within 30 days will be subject to a storage fee of $20 per serialized item, per month or any part of a month thereafter.

3. Any FFL transfers that have not been picked up within 90 days will become the property of Cleveland Gun Sales LLC, and may be subject to being sold to cover storage and other expenses, without compensation to the transferee.


 NOTE: While this policy does NOT apply to NFA transfer items during the waiting period while pending tax stamp approval by the ATF, it DOES apply to inbound NFA items if the process has NOT been started (IE. NFA transfer fee paid & tax stamp purchased).