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GOODS ACROSS BORDERS

Taking firearms out of United States

STATUS · PROHIBITED

United States prohibits taking firearms out of the country without an advance export authorisation; licensed hunters and sport shooters are the main exception categories.

Details

Export of firearms from United States requires advance authorisation issued before departure under 22 USC § 2778 (Arms Export Control Act); ITAR (22 CFR 120-130). Unlicensed firearms export is a serious criminal offence carrying substantial fines and imprisonment. Even properly licensed domestic owners require the separate export authorisation for cross-border movement, and ammunition and firearm parts (barrels, receivers) fall under the same framework. Airlines additionally require advance notice and locked-case carriage in checked baggage.

Quantity limits

Any quantity requires advance export authorisation

Documentation required

  • DSP-73 (temporary export) or ATF Form 6NIA (non-immigrant licence)
  • Domestic firearms licence
  • Purpose-of-travel evidence (competition invitation, hunting permit)

The other direction

INBOUND

Bringing firearms into United States(restricted)

Sources

VERIFIED · 2026-07-25Report a correction
RULES5,339COUNTRIES85ITEMS111CARRIERS28GUIDES46UNIQUE SOURCES645LATEST VERIFICATION2026-07-26MethodologyChangelog