March 2023 – Firearm & Ammunition Exports

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 2023 compared to March 2022. Additionally, in the first quarter (Jan-March) 2023 total units exported in the four sporting arms categories rose 33.9 percent while the two ammunition categories increased 54.5 percent over the same time period.

• March Handgun exports decreased 16.1 percent from 29,723 to 24,942 units. Within the handgun category, Pistol export units decreased 13.7 percent from 27,896 to 24,078 units while exported Revolver units dropped 52.7 percent from 1,827 to 864 units.
  First quarter exports of handgun units rose 16.2 percent from 67,281 to 78,185.
• March Rifle exports were up 0.2 percent from 29,143 to 29,213 units.
  The first quarter change in exported rifle units showed an increase of 57.2 percent from 58,999 in 2022 to 92,764 units in 2023.
• March Shotgun category posted a 25.9 percent increase in exported units from 9,549 to 12,024.
  The first quarter shotgun exports rose 37.0 percent in 2023 from 22,991 to 31,494 units.
• The March Muzzleloader category decreased 86.3 percent from 1,624 to 223 units exported.
  The number of units of muzzleloaders exported over the first quarter 2023 dropped 72.5 percent from 2,450 to 673 units.
• March Other Cartridges (excluding Shotgun cartridges) category increased 72.8 percent from 52.5 million in 2022 to 90.8 million units exported in 2023.
  Exported units of Other Cartridges for First quarter 2023 increased 54.9 percent from 149.1 million to 230.9 million.
• March Shotgun Cartridges category increased by 54.9 percent rising to 6.1 million units as compared to last year’s 4.0 million.
  The total for Shotgun Cartridge units exported in first quarter 2023 was up 47.9 percent from 9.3 million in 2022 to 13.7 million.

• Telescopic Sights:
  • March Telescopic Sights for Rifles (HTS code 9013102000, which includes military use) dropped by 1.6 percent from 34,668 units to 34,113.
    The 2023 first quarter total of 82,636 units exported in this category reflected a decrease of 26.2 percent as compared to the 111,916 units exported in 2022.

• Binoculars:
  • March Prism Binoculars [not for use with infrared light] (HTS code 9005100040) increased 0.2 percent from 35,378 units to 35,439.
  • March Binoculars HTS code 9005100080 [Other Binoculars, NESOI] increased 152.7 percent from 16,112 units to 40,712.
  • First quarter export figures for Binoculars: Prism Binoculars [not for use with infrared light] (HTS code 9005100040) decreased 29.2 percent from 88,378 to 62,587 units. Binoculars HTS code 9005100080 [Other Binoculars, NESOI] increased 74.8 percent from 53,536 to 93,579 units.

Source: US International Trade Commission