The U.S. Imports Over 14 Million Handguns From This Country Each Year
In 2023, the United States imported $3 trillion in goods, equipment, and other resources, reports the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC), an online data visualization and distribution platform focused on the geography and dynamics of economic activities. This made the U.S. the largest importer in the world. However, with U.S. President Donald Trump now pushing […] The post The U.S. Imports Over 14 Million Handguns From This Country Each Year appeared first on 24/7 Wall St..

In 2023, the United States imported $3 trillion in goods, equipment, and other resources, reports the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC), an online data visualization and distribution platform focused on the geography and dynamics of economic activities. This made the U.S. the largest importer in the world. However, with U.S. President Donald Trump now pushing for American goods, and beginning a trade war with many trade partners including Canada and China, U.S. imports sit in an uncertain position. China has halted numerous exports to the U.S., the U.S. economy shrank, and consumers have been putting off purchasing new items at extraordinary prices. As President Trump ends the de minimis loophole — which allowed Americans to bring up to $800 worth of products into the U.S. without declaring them — packages from companies outside the U.S., such as Temu and Shein, will now be subject to a 120% levy or a flat fee of $100, rising to $200 in June, on top of the existing 145% tariff against Chinese goods. (These tariffs completely reshaped the world.)
Key Points
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The majority of pistols and revolvers sold in the U.S. were also manufactured in the United States.
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Still, certain countries are home to firearm brands that have a loyal following among Americans, and these places have exported hundreds, if not thousands, of handguns to the U.S. in recent years.
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While buying American is beneficial for our local and state economies, and for businesses and jobs, there are some issues with American-made products in certain industries. For example, while many gun producers and manufacturers operate in the United States, there are several firearm components that may need to be sourced from outside the country. There are also several gun manufacturers who are not based in the U.S. and may import a significant number of handguns — which may now ramp up in price, or become wholly unavailable, should the trade war intensify. Here, 24/7 Wall St. explored how many handguns are imported into the U.S. each year and from which countries. To do so, we sourced data from a 2023 Firearm Commerce report published by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), which includes the most current data at this time. Countries are listed in ascending order from least imported handguns to most. Considering the top country on this list provides the U.S. with over 14 million handguns each year, gun enthusiasts may want to purchase one of those weapons now while you still have the chance.
This previously published article was updated on May 2, 2025 to provide additional data on three countries and to give an overview of the trade war and how it might impact firearm purchasing.
Why It Matters Now
Millions of firearms roll off American assembly lines every year. Still, the U.S. is the largest consumer market for guns in the world, and to meet demand, the U.S. also imports millions of firearms annually. While the majority of pistols and revolvers sold in the U.S. were manufactured domestically, certain foreign countries still have a meaningful foothold in the domestic market for handguns. As gunmakers and firearm sellers attempt to adapt to changing trade decisions and tariff information from the Trump adminstration, the gun market in the U.S. could see some severe fluctuation.
Here are the 37 countries that sell the U.S. the most guns each year:
37. Georgia
- Handguns exported to U.S. from Georgia, 2010-2023: 608 (0.00% of all imported handguns)
- Total firearms exported to U.S. from Georgia, 2010-2023: 2,109 (<0.1% of all imported firearms)
- Gunmakers operating in Georgia between 2010 and 2023 include: N/A
36. Portugal
- Handguns exported to U.S. from Portugal, 2010-2023: 682 (0.00% of all imported handguns)
- Total firearms exported to U.S. from Portugal, 2010-2023: 281,140 (0.4% of all imported firearms)
- Gunmakers operating in Portugal between 2010 and 2023 include: Winchester, Browning Viana
35. Finland
- Handguns exported to U.S. from Finland, 2010-2023: 882 (0.00% of all imported handguns)
- Total firearms exported to U.S. from Finland, 2010-2023: 645,106 (0.9% of all imported firearms)
- Gunmakers operating in Finland between 2010 and 2023 include: Sako Limited
34. India

- Handguns exported to U.S. from India, 2010-2023: 1,185 (0.00% of all imported handguns)
- Total firearms exported to U.S. from India, 2010-2023: 2,708 (<0.1% of all imported firearms)
- Gunmakers operating in India between 2010 and 2023 include: Thirumala Precicasts, Rifle Factory Ishapore, Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli, SSS Defence
33. Taiwan

- Handguns exported to U.S. from Taiwan, 2010-2023: 1,720 (0.00% of all imported handguns)
- Total firearms exported to U.S. from Taiwan, 2010-2023: 12,451 (<0.1% of all imported firearms)
- Gunmakers operating in Taiwan between 2010 and 2023 include: N/A
32. Netherlands

- Handguns exported to U.S. from Netherlands, 2010-2023: 1,931 (0.00% of all imported handguns)
- Total firearms exported to U.S. from Netherlands, 2010-2023: 2,385 (<0.1% of all imported firearms)
- Gunmakers operating in the Netherlands between 2010 and 2023 include: A.I Armaments B.V.
31. Bosnia-Herzegovina

- Handguns exported to U.S. from Bosnia-Herzegovina, 2010-2023: 2,470 (0.01% of all imported handguns)
- Total firearms exported to U.S. from Bosnia-Herzegovina, 2010-2023: 3,006 (<0.1% of all imported firearms)
- Gunmakers operating in Bosnia-Herzegovina between 2010 and 2023 include: N/A
30. Pakistan
- Handguns exported to U.S. from Pakistan, 2010-2023: 4,541 (0.01% of all imported handguns)
- Total firearms exported to U.S. from Pakistan, 2010-2023: 6,119 (<0.1% of all imported firearms)
- Gunmakers operating in Pakistan between 2010 and 2023 include: Peshawar Arms Company, North Star Arsenal, Pakistan Ordnance Factories
29. South Korea
- Handguns exported to U.S. from South Korea, 2010-2023: 5,163 (0.01% of all imported handguns)
- Total firearms exported to U.S. from South Korea, 2010-2023: 5,165 (<0.1% of all imported firearms)
- Gunmakers operating in South Korea between 2010 and 2023 include: SNT Motiv, Dasan Machinery
28. Montenegro

- Handguns exported to U.S. from Montenegro, 2010-2023: 6,787 (0.02% of all imported handguns)
- Total firearms exported to U.S. from Montenegro, 2010-2023: 8,229 (<0.1% of all imported firearms)
- Gunmakers operating in Montenegro between 2010 and 2023 include: N/A
27. Ukraine
- Handguns exported to U.S. from Ukraine, 2010-2023: 9,500 (0.02% of all imported handguns)
- Total firearms exported to U.S. from Ukraine, 2010-2023: 44,200 (0.1% of all imported firearms)
- Gunmakers operating in Ukraine between 2010 and 2023 include: RPC Fort
26. Hungary

- Handguns exported to U.S. from Hungary, 2010-2023: 10,334 (0.02% of all imported handguns)
- Total firearms exported to U.S. from Hungary, 2010-2023: 16,751 (<0.1% of all imported firearms)
- Gunmakers operating in Hungary between 2010 and 2023 include: Sero International
25. United Arab Emirates

- Handguns exported to U.S. from United Arab Emirates, 2010-2023: 10,460 (0.02% of all imported handguns)
- Total firearms exported to U.S. from United Arab Emirates, 2010-2023: 11,228 (<0.1% of all imported firearms)
- Gunmakers operating in United Arab Emirates between 2010 and 2023 include: Caracal International
24. France

- Handguns exported to U.S. from France, 2010-2023: 14,240 (0.03% of all imported handguns)
- Total firearms exported to U.S. from France, 2010-2023: 29,363 (<0.1% of all imported firearms)
- Gunmakers operating in France between 2010 and 2023 include: Armes Mathelon, Chapuis Armes, Manurhin, PGM Precision
23. Costa Rica

- Handguns exported to U.S. from Costa Rica, 2010-2023: 19,538 (0.04% of all imported handguns)
- Total firearms exported to U.S. from Costa Rica, 2010-2023: 19,538 (<0.1% of all imported firearms)
- Gunmakers operating in Costa Rica between 2010 and 2023 include: N/A
22. Slovakia
- Handguns exported to U.S. from Slovakia, 2010-2023: 21,851 (0.05% of all imported handguns)
- Total firearms exported to U.S. from Slovakia, 2010-2023: 21,874 (<0.1% of all imported firearms)
- Gunmakers operating in Slovakia between 2010 and 2023 include: Grand Power
21. Russia
- Handguns exported to U.S. from Russia, 2010-2023: 30,346 (0.07% of all imported handguns)
- Total firearms exported to U.S. from Russia, 2010-2023: 871,024 (1.2% of all imported firearms)
- Gunmakers operating in Russia between 2010 and 2023 include: Kurbatov Arms, Kalashnikov Group, Lobaev Arms
20. Bulgaria

- Handguns exported to U.S. from Bulgaria, 2010-2023: 47,375 (0.11% of all imported handguns)
- Total firearms exported to U.S. from Bulgaria, 2010-2023: 148,687 (0.2% of all imported firearms)
- Gunmakers operating in Bulgaria between 2010 and 2023 include: Arsenal JSCo
19. United Kingdom

- Handguns exported to U.S. from United Kingdom, 2010-2023: 50,731 (0.12% of all imported handguns)
- Total firearms exported to U.S. from United Kingdom, 2010-2023: 233,410 (0.3% of all imported firearms)
- Gunmakers operating in United Kingdom between 2010 and 2023 include: Holland & Holland, Boss & Co., Gallyon Gun & Rifle Makers, IMI plc, Webley & Scott
18. Slovenia

- Handguns exported to U.S. from Slovenia, 2010-2023: 60,603 (0.14% of all imported handguns)
- Total firearms exported to U.S. from Slovenia, 2010-2023: 60,616 (0.1% of all imported firearms)
- Gunmakers operating in Slovenia between 2010 and 2023 include: IZOP-K, Arex
17. Spain
- Handguns exported to U.S. from Spain, 2010-2023: 60,870 (0.14% of all imported handguns)
- Total firearms exported to U.S. from Spain, 2010-2023: 753,309 (1.1% of all imported firearms)
- Gunmakers operating in Spain between 2010 and 2013 include: Bergara Barrels, ASTRA Defense, Traditions Performance Firearms, Arrieta Shotguns, Grulla Armas
16. Canada
- Handguns exported to U.S. from Canada, 2010-2023: 77,389 (0.18% of all imported handguns)
- Total firearms exported to U.S. from Canada, 2010-2023: 3,676,709 (5.2% of all imported firearms)
- Gunmakers operating in Canada between 2010 and 2023 include: Colt Canada Corporation, Savage Arms, PGW Defence
15. Switzerland
- Handguns exported to U.S. from Switzerland, 2010-2023: 116,028 (0.26% of all imported handguns)
- Total firearms exported to U.S. from Switzerland, 2010-2023: 156,122 (0.2% of all imported firearms)
- Gunmakers operating in Switzerland between 2010 and 2023 include: Christensen Arms, Bleiker, B&T AG
14. Poland
- Handguns exported to U.S. from Poland, 2010-2023: 119,572 (0.27% of all imported handguns)
- Total firearms exported to U.S. from Poland, 2010-2023: 185,957 (0.3% of all imported firearms)
- Gunmakers operating in Poland between 2010 and 2023 include: Son of Gun, WBP, FB Radom, Pioneer Arms
13. Serbia
- Handguns exported to U.S. from Serbia, 2010-2023: 224,286 (0.51% of all imported handguns)
- Total firearms exported to U.S. from Serbia, 2010-2023: 577,399 (0.8% of all imported firearms)
- Gunmakers operating in Serbia between 2010 and 2023 include: Zastava Arms
12. Romania
- Handguns exported to U.S. from Romania, 2010-2023: 227,746 (0.52% of all imported handguns)
- Total firearms exported to U.S. from Romania, 2010-2023: 523,080 (0.7% of all imported firearms)
- Gunmakers operating in Romania between 2010 and 2023 include: Nova Modul, Cugir Arms Factory
11. Belgium
- Handguns exported to U.S. from Belgium, 2010-2023: 309,158 (0.70% of all imported handguns)
- Total firearms exported to U.S. from Belgium, 2010-2023: 691,408 (1.0% of all imported firearms)
- Gunmakers operating in Belgium between 2010 and 2023 include: Winchester, Browning, FN Herstal
10. Israel

- Handguns exported to U.S. from Israel, 2010-2023: 356,518 (0.81% of all imported handguns)
- Total firearms exported to U.S. from Israel, 2010-2023: 496,317 (0.7% of all imported firearms)
- Gunmakers operating in Israel between 2010 and 2023 include: IMI Systems, Israel Weapon Industries
9. Argentina
- Handguns exported to U.S. from Argentina, 2010-2023: 714,455 (1.63% of all imported handguns)
- Total firearms exported to U.S. from Argentina, 2010-2023: 714,455 (1.0% of all imported firearms)
- Gunmakers operating in Argentina between 2010 and 2023 include: Bersa S.A.
8. Philippines
- Handguns exported to U.S. from Philippines, 2010-2023: 1,450,368 (3.30% of all imported handguns)
- Total firearms exported to U.S. from Philippines, 2010-2023: 1,558,441 (2.2% of all imported firearms)
- Gunmakers operating in the Philippines between 2010 and 2023 include: Shooters Arms Mfg., Armscor, United Defense Manufacturing Corporation
7. Czechia

- Handguns exported to U.S. from Czechia, 2010-2023: 1,700,436 (3.87% of all imported handguns)
- Total firearms exported to U.S. from Czechia, 2010-2023: 2,117,562 (3.0% of all imported firearms)
- Gunmakers operating in Czechia between 2010 and 2023 include: Colt CZ Group, Luvo Firearms, FK BRNO
6. Italy
- Handguns exported to U.S. from Italy, 2010-2023: 2,323,677 (5.29% of all imported handguns)
- Total firearms exported to U.S. from Italy, 2010-2023: 5,446,618 (7.8% of all imported firearms)
- Gunmakers operating in Italy between 2010 and 2023 include: Franchi S.p.A., Benelli Armi, Beretta, Chiappa Firearms, Perugini & Visini, Perazzi
5. Turkey
- Handguns exported to U.S. from Turkey, 2010-2023: 2,666,588 (6.07% of all imported handguns)
- Total firearms exported to U.S. from Turkey, 2010-2023: 10,209,178 (14.5% of all imported firearms)
- Gunmakers operating in Turkey between 2010 and 2023 include: Barathrum Arms, Typhoon Defens, Huglu, Carrera Arms
4. Germany

- Handguns exported to U.S. from Germany, 2010-2023: 5,025,686 (11.44% of all imported handguns)
- Total firearms exported to U.S. from Germany, 2010-2023: 5,946,615 (8.5% of all imported firearms)
- Gunmakers operating in Germany between 2010 and 2023 include: Heckler & Koch, Umarex, SIG Sauer GmbH & Co.
3. Croatia

- Handguns exported to U.S. from Croatia, 2010-2023: 5,431,491 (12.36% of all imported handguns)
- Total firearms exported to U.S. from Croatia, 2010-2023: 5,455,639 (7.8% of all imported firearms)
- Gunmakers operating in Croatia between 2010 and 2023 include: HS Produkt
2. Brazil

- Handguns exported to U.S. from Brazil, 2010-2023: 8,496,042 (19.34% of all imported handguns)
- Total firearms exported to U.S. from Brazil, 2010-2023: 11,517,759 (16.4% of all imported firearms)
- Gunmakers operating in Brazil between 2010 and 2023 include: Amadeo Rossi S.A., Taurus Armas
1. Austria

- Handguns exported to U.S. from Austria, 2010-2023: 14,329,710 (32.62% of all imported handguns)
- Total firearms exported to U.S. from Austria, 2010-2023: 14,437,266 (20.6% of all imported firearms)
- Gunmakers operating in Austria between 2010 and 2023 include: Glock, Steyr Arms, Strasser
The post The U.S. Imports Over 14 Million Handguns From This Country Each Year appeared first on 24/7 Wall St..