Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Private party NFA transfers are legal in 42 states. The $200 NFA tax stamp was reduced to $0 as of January 1, 2026, making private party transfers financially viable for the first time. StampSwap is a marketplace that connects buyers and sellers — we never take possession of NFA items, process payments for NFA transactions, or submit ATF forms on behalf of users.

For in-state transfers between individuals, no FFL is required. The buyer and seller can complete the ATF Form 4 process directly through eForms. For interstate transfers (buyer and seller in different states), the item must be transferred through a licensed FFL/SOT (Class 3 dealer) in the buyer's state.

StampSwap does not process payments for NFA item transactions. We recommend GunTab (guntab.com) for secure escrow protection — it's purpose-built for firearms transactions and protects both buyer and seller. You can also arrange payment directly between parties using money orders, cashier's checks, or cash for local deals.

As of January 1, 2026, the ATF Form 4 tax stamp for suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, and AOWs is $0 (reduced from $200 via the One Big Beautiful Bill Act). This means the financial barrier to private party transfers has been removed. However, all other requirements remain: ATF background check, fingerprints, passport-style photograph, and CLEO notification.

ATF eForms approval times have improved dramatically. Individual registrations are currently averaging 10-15 days, while trust/entity registrations average 25-30 days. Paper Form 4 submissions take several months — often 6 months or more. We strongly recommend using eForms. StampSwap's Form 4 Prep Tool walks you through every field of the ATF Form 5320.4, and our tracker lets both parties monitor the process from filed through approval to transferred.

StampSwap supports listings for suppressors (silencers), Short Barreled Rifles (SBRs), Short Barreled Shotguns (SBSs), and Any Other Weapons (AOWs) that are registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR). Machine guns and destructive devices are not supported. All items must be legal to own and transfer in the seller's state.

Yes. Serial numbers are encrypted at rest and are never displayed publicly on listings. Your serial number is only shared with the buyer through secure messaging after both parties agree to transact — it's needed for the Form 4 paperwork. We take the security of this sensitive data very seriously.

A denial is rarely the end of the road. Many denials stem from correctable issues — a mismatched serial number, a missing signature, or an incomplete field — and can be fixed and resubmitted. An application can also be withdrawn before approval if either party changes their mind. If the transfer ultimately cannot proceed, the item simply remains with the seller (or the FFL/SOT for interstate transfers). This is one reason we recommend GunTab for escrow: payment is held until the transfer is approved, so a buyer isn't out any money if an application is denied or withdrawn.

You cannot list items that are illegal in your state of residence. Our state compliance checker automatically verifies legality. For example, if you're in California, you cannot list a suppressor (they're prohibited in CA). However, you can list AOWs from California since those are permitted.

StampSwap has a built-in FFL dealer directory. Browse verified dealers by state, filter for SOT holders who handle NFA transfers, and see transfer fee information. You can also refer a dealer you've worked with to help grow the network.

When you start a transaction, the Form 4 Prep Tool walks you through every field of the ATF Form 5320.4 in a step-by-step wizard. Item details already known to the transaction — manufacturer, model, caliber, serial number, addresses, and FFL info — are carried in to save you re-typing, and you fill in the rest. Sensitive personal information like your SSN, date of birth, and race/ethnicity is kept in your browser only — it is never uploaded to StampSwap servers. You then use your completed information to file through ATF eForms.

Each transaction includes a secure data room where both buyer and seller can upload and access documents — photos, fingerprints, government ID, trust documents, bills of sale, and more. Files are stored securely and only accessible to the two parties in the transaction. No need to exchange personal email addresses or phone numbers.

Yes. Save any search with your preferred filters (type, manufacturer, caliber, price range, etc.) and enable email alerts. You'll get notified when new listings match your criteria. You can also add individual listings to your watchlist to track them.

During our launch period, all features are free. In the future, we'll offer optional premium features: featured listings, listing bumps, dealer accounts, and premium seller tools. These are platform services charged through Stripe — we never charge for or handle the NFA item transaction itself.