I'm looking at trading in a pistol for an AR upper.  Do I have to ship to an FFL or can I just ship to the customer direct?  And vice versa, can he ship directly to me?

Also, is my only shipping option next day air?  I've been told that firearms have to be shipped via next day air.

Help please.

Firearms have to be shipped to an FFL.

The upper receiver on an AR has no serial number, and as such, is not a firearm.

Quoted: Firearms have to be shipped to an FFL. The upper receiver on an AR has no serial number, and as such, is not a firearm.

+1

If it is an interstate deal then you must ship the pistol to an FFL in the recipient's state. He can (and should) ship the upper to you.

If it is an intrastate deal (you are both residents of the same state) then you can exchange the pistol for the upper without involving an FFL. However, the shipper may require that you ship the pistol to a dealer regardless of the law. AFAIK Fed Ex is the only courier that will ship a handgun from an individual and their policy is that it must go overnight.