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 August 2023 compared to August 2022.

• August Handgun exports decreased 57.6 percent from 52,344 to 22,187 units. Within the handgun category, Pistol export units decreased 58.3 percent from 46,997 to 19,604 units while exported Revolver units dropped 51.7 percent from 5,347 to 2,583 units.
• August Rifle exports were down 11.2 percent from 27,522 to 24,430 units.
• August Shotgun category posted a 27.4 percent decrease in exported units from 7,753 to 5,630.
• August Muzzleloader category decreased 35.4 percent from 1,055 to 682 units exported.
• August Other Cartridges (excluding Shotgun cartridges) category decreased 14.5 percent from 80.9 million in 2022 to 69.1 million units exported in 2023.
• August Shotgun Cartridges category decreased by 46.7 percent dropping to 2.5 million as compared to last year’s 4.6 million.
• Telescopic Sights:
  • August Telescopic Sights for Rifles (HTS code 9013.10.2000, which includes military use) rose 12.2 percent from 26,549 units to 29,789.
• Binoculars:
  • August Prism Binoculars [not for use with infrared light] (HTS code 9005.10.0040) increased 23.4 percent from 21,646 units to 26,718.
  • August Binoculars HTS code 9005.10.0080 [Other Binoculars, NESOI] increased 106.4 percent from 26,246 units to 54,164.
• Sound Suppressors:
  • August Sound Suppressors, Silencers, Mufflers and Similar Devices of Shotguns or Rifles of Heading 9303 (HTS code 9305.20.9100) increased 252.9 percent, rising from 1,835 to 6,475 units.
  • August Parts and Accessories of Shotguns or Rifles of Heading 9303 (HTS code 9305.20.9500) were up 6.0% from 77,157 to 81,781 units.

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.