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Firearms are extremely popular amongst U.S. citizens, and many gun owners enhance their weapons by adding additional parts and accessories. Many businesses catering to that market find themselves looking for in-demand imports, but must navigate strict rules and regulations.
Key Takeaways:
Importing gun parts and accessories can be challenging, but with the expertise of USA Customs Clearance at your disposal, you’ll be able to bring these items into the country with confidence.
In the U.S., there are an estimated 393 million civilian owners of firearms. With so many guns, it’s no surprise that parts and accessories for these weapons are popular as well. To demonstrate the importance of these items in the U.S., I’ve included data collected by the Observatory of Economic Complexity that shows how much has been imported in recent years.
This proclivity for personal protections includes firearms themselves, ammunition and, yes, gun parts and accessories. With America’s fondness for firearms, importing gun parts and accessories and profiting from it shouldn’t be a difficult endeavor.
Some examples of parts include:
Some examples of accessories include:
It’s important to note, that ammunition isn’t considered a gun part. Regardless of the part or accessory you purchase from another nation, it’s essential you follow the correct government regulations when you bring these items into the country.
To get your items past customs, you’ll need to follow regulations set by two federal agencies.
The ATF and CBP have unique regulations they’ll apply to your products and require you to fill out different documents.
The first ATF requirement you’ll need to satisfy is obtaining an FFL. You can achieve this by filling out an ATF F 5310.12 (Form 7) Application for License. The document will need to be sent to the address listed on the form.
When submitting, you’ll need to provide:
A Responsible Person is someone who has the authority to direct the firearm compliance decisions and operations for an FFL. You will need to designate who this person when you fill out a Form 7.
Check with state and local authorities where you live to make sure you’re following their rules as well. Imports won’t help your business if it turns out that local law prohibits their distribution and sale.
If your gun accessories are on the United States Munitions Import List (USMIL), you’ll have to register with the ATF as an importer of these products.
You can do this by completing an ATF F 5330.4 (4587) Application to Register as an Importer of USMIL. The ATF requires you create duplicates of this document with your original signature on each. When submitting your application, be sure to include a check payable to the ATF in an amount that covers your registration fee.
The amount you’ll need to pay varies based on how long you want to be registered as an importer of USMIL items. I’ve included the fees and corresponding registration times.
You’ll also need to take into account if your gun parts fall under the regulations of the National Firearms Act (NFA), which is regulated by the ATF.
Items on the NFA include:
If you’re importing parts or accessories that are included in the NFA, you’ll need to register as a NFA special occupation tax (SOT) importer. This will require you to fill out an ATF Form 5630.7 and submit it to the ATF.
As an SOT, you’ll must have an Employer Identification Number (EIN). If you don’t already have one, you can apply for it by filling out an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form SS-4.
Next, you’ll need to fill out and file an ATF F 5330.3A (Form 6) for your gun parts and accessories. The form is used to collect your information and details on what you’re importing.
Be sure to check which weapon parts and accessories the ATF actually regulates. Taking the time to do extra research may prevent you from needing to complete these regulations. For example, rifle scopes that are made to military specifications won’t need an ATF Form 6.
That said, you can always expect regulations on parts like silencers/suppressors, frames, receivers, and barrels.
CBP doesn’t have many unique requirements regarding the importation of your products. Their primary concern is ensuring you’ve followed the ATF’s rules. For example, CBP will hold your weapon parts and accessories if you don’t have an FFL for 30 days.
If you still haven’t obtained an FFL after the 30 days are up, your products will be moved to a general order warehouse. You’ll be required to pay storage fees while your items are kept here. After 60 days, CBP will sell these goods at auction, or have them destroyed.
Related: What Documents Do I Need To Import and Export
Fortunately for you, there are plenty of safe and friendly countries where you can import gun parts and accessories. I’ve provided data on nations that frequently export these items.
While none of these countries share a free trade agreement (FTA) with the U.S., they do have excellent trade and diplomatic relations. These nations are also known for the quality of their weapon parts.
It’s equally important to know what countries you can’t import gun parts from as well. The ATF strictly prohibits the importation of these items from multiple nations.
This includes:
Many of these nations suffer from political instability and/or have poor relations with the United States.
Related: U.S. Free Trade Agreements: Find Savings Close To Home
You will need a customs bond if your gun parts are valued at $2,500 or more. Given how expensive these products can be, there’s a good chance that you’ll need this document. They are also required for products regulated by an agency other than the CBP. Since many gun accessories are regulated by the ATF, it’s another strong indicator for need.
You should obtain a continuous version of this document if you plan to import items on a regular basis. Our Licensed Customs Brokers can also assist you with completing this document.
Importing gun parts and accessories is no easy task. At USA Customs Clearance, we have a team of Licensed Customs Brokers that can help you navigate the challenges you’ll encounter. We also have a variety of services that you can use that will help you import the products into the country.
At USA Customs Clearance, we’ll get your gun parts and accessories past customs. Contact us through the site or get started with one of our services. You can also call our team at (855) 912-0406 if you have questions or want to learn more about what we offer.
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