NSSF tracks and reports monthly U.S. export units for several sporting arms, ammunition, and optics categories from the US International Trade Commission. Below are the results for March 2024 compared to March 2023. Additionally, first quarter (January-March) 2024 total units exported in the four sporting arms categories dropped 15.8 percent while the two ammunition categories decreased 26.9 percent over the same time period.
March Handgun exports increased 10.0 percent from 24,942 to 27,448 units. Within the handgun category, Pistol export units increased 11.2 percent from 24,078 to 26,768 units while exported Revolver units dropped 21.3 percent from 864 to 680 units.
First quarter exports of handgun units dropped 1.1 percent from 78,185 to 77,316.
March Rifle exports were down 2.2 percent from 29,213 to 28,580 units.
The first quarter change in exported rifle units showed a decrease of 20.9 percent from 92,764 in 2023 to 73,343 units in 2024.
March Shotgun category posted a 30.2 percent decrease in exported units from 12,024 to 8,396.
The first quarter shotgun exports dropped 39.7 percent in 2024 from 31,494 to 18,990 units.
March Muzzleloader category increased 276.7 percent from 223 to 840 units exported.
The number of units of muzzleloaders exported over first quarter 2024 rose 89.6 percent from 673 to 1,276 units.
March Other Cartridges (excluding Shotgun cartridges) category decreased 37.9 percent from 90.8 million in 2023 to 56.4 million units exported in 2024.
Exported units of Other Cartridges for first quarter 2024 decreased 26.5 percent from 230.9 million to 169.6 million.
March Shotgun Cartridges category decreased by 39.9 percent dropping to 3.7 million units as compared to last year’s 6.1 million.
The total for Shotgun Cartridge units exported in first quarter 2024 was down 32.4 percent from 13.7 million in 2023 to 9.3 million.
Telescopic Sights:
March Telescopic Sights for Rifles (HTS code 9013102000, which includes military use) rose 30.3 percent from 34,113 units to 44,461.
The 2024 first quarter total of 110,933 units exported in this category reflected an increase of 34.2 percent as compared to the 82,636 units exported in 2023.
Binoculars:
March Prism Binoculars [not for use with infrared light] (HTS code 9005100040) decreased 50.4 percent from 35,439 units to 17,582.
March Binoculars HTS code 9005100080 [Other Binoculars, NESOI] decreased 17.5 percent from 40,712 units to 33,600.
First quarter export figures for Binoculars: Prism Binoculars [not for use with infrared light] (HTS code 9005100040) increased 6.3 percent from 62,587 to 66,545 units. Binoculars HTS code 9005100080 [Other Binoculars, NESOI] decreased 13.6 percent from 93,579 to 80,835 units.
Sound Suppressors:
March Sound Suppressors, Silencers, Mufflers and Similar Devices of Shotguns or Rifles of Heading 9303 (HTS code 9305.20.9100) decreased 88.9 percent dropping to 175 units as compared to last year’s 1,577 units.
First quarter export figures for Sound Suppressors, Silencers, Mufflers and Similar Devices of Shotguns or Rifles of Heading 9303 (HTS code 9305.20.9100) decreased 62.4 percent dropping to 3,838 units as compared to last year’s 10,205 units.
March Parts and Accessories of Shotguns or Rifles of Heading 9303, NESOI (HTS code 9305.20.9500) increased 33.1 percent from 75,701 in 2023 to 100,727 units exported in 2024.
First quarter export figures for Parts and Accessories of Shotguns or Rifles of Heading 9303, NESOI (HTS code 9305.20.9500) increased 19.8 percent from 232,019 in 2023 to 278,013 units exported in 2024.
Source: US International Trade Commission
Notice: The import and export data on DataWeb for 2020-2022 have been updated as of July 5, 2023, based on the latest official revisions from the Census Bureau (the first official revisions for 2023 data will not be available until June 2024). For the years 2010-2022 data reflect all published revisions by the Census Bureau. For data prior to 2010, DataWeb will continue to show import and export data as originally issued by the Census Bureau with no revisions.
Additional firearm import/export data, including monthly historical data and charts for each category, is available to NSSF members by logging in and clicking NSSF Industry Research then Monthly Firearm Import/Export Data.
