U.S. Firearms Export Restrictions – June 2025
Commercial Trader End-Users in High-Risk Countries
Policy Status: As of June 2025, the U.S. Department of Commerce restricts the export of firearms, including pistols, to non-governmental end users (e.g., commercial traders) in 36 designated countries. This rule is effective under the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) Interim Final Rule (May 30, 2024).
Key Aspects:
Presumption of Denial: License applications for affected countries are subject to likely denial unless extraordinary justification is provided.
License Revocation: All existing licenses for commercial end users in these countries were revoked on July 1, 2024.
Reduced Validity: Licenses for non-A:1 countries now valid for 1 year instead of 4.
New Documentation Requirements: Additional import certificates and end-user verification documents now mandatory.
Affected Countries:
Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belize, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Chad, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Mali, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Tajikistan, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, Vietnam, and Yemen.
Policy Rationale:
- Diversion risks to unauthorized users or black markets
- Risk of use by terrorists or organized crime
- Human rights abuse concerns
- Weak governance and corruption
Future Outlook: Potential review of these restrictions is expected under the new U.S. administration, but as of June 2025, they remain in full effect.