NSSF has assessed that monthly U.S. export units for several sporting arms, ammunition, and optics categories fell sharply year-over-year (YoY) in May 2023 while the Suppressors and Other Cartridges categories saw strong increases for the month, based on analysis of the most data available from the U.S. International Trade Commission.

An analysis of the data from May 2023 compared to May 2022 found:

  • Handgun exports decreased 32.4 percent YoY from 37,381 to 25,287 units. Within the handgun category,
    • Pistol export units decreased 31.2 percent YoY from 33,293 to 22,896 units
    • Exported Revolver units dropped 41.5 percent YoY from 4,088 to 2,391 units.

  • Rifle exports were down 54.6 percent YoY from 70,034 to 31,808 units.
  • Shotgun category posted a 5.7 percent decrease YoY in exported units from 8,189 to 7,725.
  • Muzzleloader category increased 10.7 percent YoY from 187 to 207 units.
  • Shotgun Cartridges category decreased by 2.2 percent YoY, dropping to 3.7 million as compared to last year’s 3.8 million.
  • Other Cartridges (excluding Shotgun cartridges) category increased 162.6 percent YoY from 28.6 million in 2022 to 75.2 million units exported in 2023.
  • Telescopic Sights:
    • Telescopic Sights for Rifles (HTS code 9013.10.2000, which includes military use) dropped 25.0 percent YoY from 42,298 units to 31,744.
  • Binoculars:
    • Prism Binoculars [not for use with infrared light] (HTS code 9005.10.0040) decreased 43.8 percent YoY from 43,147 units to 24,230.
    • Binoculars HTS code 9005.10.0080 [Other Binoculars, NESOI] decreased 19.0 percent YoY from 24,875 units to 20,144.
  • Sound Suppressors:
    • Sound Suppressors, Silencers, Mufflers and Similar Devices of Shotguns or Rifles of Heading 9303 (HTS code 9305.20.9100) increased 19.8 percent YoY, rising from 167 to 200 units.
    • Parts and Accessories of Shotguns or Rifles of Heading 9303 (HTS code 9305.20.9500) were up 24.4 percent YoY from 70,492 to 87,675 units.

Graphic and data courtesy of NSSF