This page covers the steps needed to legally import firearms into the U.S. and export them from the U.S.
Firearms laws can differ significantly from one country to another. GunBroker.com may not be aware of the firearms laws in countries outside of the United States. If you're located outside the U.S. and want to buy or sell items, please ensure you understand and comply with all firearms laws in your country, as well as follow the appropriate import/export procedures.
Canadian Buyers / Sellers: Click here for the Canadian Firearms Centre.
For a list of Importers/Exporters, click here.
Exporting Firearms from the U.S.
Firearms must be exported from the United States via a licensed exporter located within the USA. Depending on the country you live in, there may be restrictions on the types of items that can be imported. For example, it is virtually impossible to send a handgun to Japan. You must contact the licensed exporter directly for further information regarding the export process.
If you live outside the U.S. and would like to bid on an item, please make export arrangements before placing a bid on an item. Once the arrangements are made and you bid on and win an item, the seller will be instructed to ship the item to the exporter. The exporter will then handle the process of getting the item shipped to you.
Importing Firearms into the U.S.
If you live outside the U.S. and wish to sell an item on GunBroker.com to a U.S. resident, the item will need to be legally imported into the US. Any Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder can import a firearm for personal use or on behalf of an unlicensed person by filling out the proper paperwork. According to the ATF:
(L1) May a licensed dealer who does not have an importer’s license make an occasional importation?
Yes. A licensee may make an occasional importation of a firearm for a non-licensee or for the licensee’s personal use (not for resale). The licensee must first submit a ATF Form 6, Part I to the Imports Branch for approval. The licensee may then present the approved Form 6 and completed ATF Form 6A to the U.S. Customs Service. Contact the Bureau of ATF, Imports Branch, Washington, DC 20226, (202) 927-8320 for forms.
There are a great many items that cannot be imported into the U.S. These include ‘armor piercing’ ammo, high-capacity magazines, and so-called ‘assault weapons’. Please contact your FFL to make import arrangements and verify the legality of the item you are attempting to import before placing a bid on an item.
If the item is not a firearm (such as scopes, holsters, etc.) then the item can be sent into the US without any special importation procedure other than filling out a standard U.S. Customs form.
There is a great deal of additional information on the ATF web site.
If you are a seller located outside the U.S., please clearly state that the item resides outside the U.S. and include a link to this page in your item listing. This will help prevent problems with your buyers.