Every firearm — whether you buy it online, receive it from another dealer, or transfer it privately — completes at our counter with the proper paperwork and California checks. Here’s how each path works.
Private Party Transfers (PPT)
- One firearm: handled during regular hours until 5:40 PM — no appointment needed.
- More than one firearm: needs an appointment, usually outside hours — email us to set it up.
- Estate transfers work exactly like a PPT (two people meet in-store to transfer). We’re not attorneys and can’t advise on who may legally transfer or receive a firearm — check with the CA DOJ if unsure.
PPT fees: CA DOJ fees + $10 per firearm service fee.
Having a firearm or ammunition shipped to us
- Give the seller our email — FFL@hvgun.com / Team@hvgun.com — so they can coordinate and send the required documents. With every shipment we unbox and record everything, check the included paperwork, and chase down anything missing from the seller.
- Wait until we call before coming in. We often can’t complete paperwork without the seller’s documents in hand.
- Buying non-FFL parts in the same order? Split the order and ship the parts to your home — we charge a minimum of $20 per shipped box even for items not affected by the parts law.
Receiving fees (items shipped to us):
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Rifle, shotgun, or handgun | $85 |
| Receiver only | $50 |
| Law-enforcement firearm or receiver | $50 |
| Ammunition | $25 per box (not including state DROS) |
| Any parts | $20 per box |
All firearms and ammunition shipped to us need an invoice showing taxes were paid. If the seller didn’t collect CA sales tax and/or excise tax, we must collect it. If collected taxes exceed $500, a 2% card surcharge applies.
Parts & accessories (AB 1263 / SB 704)
California’s AB 1263 makes it harder to buy some parts and accessories online. To help, we’re stocking more parts — mostly AR-platform, plus some Remington 700 and Ruger 10/22 stocks and trigger kits — and we can often order what we don’t have. If a retailer must ship a part to a dealer instead of to you, we accept the transfer for $20 per box.
This currently includes barrels and complete uppers — until July 1, 2027, when SB 704 takes effect. After that, barrels and complete uppers require a background check, and their receiving fee matches ammunition (currently $25 per box).
Shipping into California
Only an FFL can ship a firearm into California, and the shipment must include a copy of the FFL, an invoice, and a CA Shipping Approval Letter (only an FFL can request that letter).
Us shipping a firearm out
- $50 handling + actual UPS shipping.
- Long guns: you may self-ship via USPS to a receiving FFL (include a copy of your ID and the recipient’s contact info). Never ship ammunition via USPS.
- Handguns: must go 2-day air via UPS/FedEx, which requires an FFL to ship — you can’t self-ship a handgun.
- Any shipment to a California-destination FFL must be sent by an FFL.
Law-enforcement pickups (Napa County)
$50 receiving per firearm + $50 flat pickup fee, plus any state fees. Email LEpickup@hvgun.com with contact info for the LE agency contact, the customer, and the receiving party if different.
Firearm storage
- Billed per calendar quarter (3 months); no prorated refunds.
- Returning a stored firearm requires a background check + 10-day wait.
- Due at start: $50 per firearm flat fee + $37.19 CA DROS fee + your first quarter of storage.
- Quarterly storage rate: 1–2 firearms $40 each · 3–5 firearms $30 each · 6 or more $25 each.
- Firearms with unpaid storage for more than 90 days may be sold to recover costs at our discretion.
California fees you’ll see at checkout / pickup
- Firearm background check (DROS): $37.19
- Firearm Safety Certificate (if needed): $25
- Ammunition eligibility check: $5
- Local sales tax 8.75% + CA Firearms Excise Tax 11% (firearms and ammunition)
Inbound tax rule: firearms and ammunition shipped to us need an invoice showing taxes were paid. If the seller didn’t collect CA sales tax and/or excise tax, we must collect it. If collected taxes exceed $500, a 2% card surcharge applies.
Questions on a specific transfer? Message us or call 707-287-6180.