Import or Export???

PhilOhio · 09-23-2009, 10:42 AM

Charlie,

Just adding to what you said, regarding whether or not we see a country of origin marking, I think it depends upon when the firearm was brought into this country and how.

It's true that BATFE only requires importer markings. But they are not the sole regulator of such things. Another branch of our government (Customs or Commerce?) requires country of origin markings on all commercially imported products for resale, as I understand it. But this may only apply to newly manufactured items, or made after a certain date of legislation, perhaps. Firearms are not excluded. Check any recently manufactured firearm, if it was made abroad. And also check anything at all, if it was imported.

I guess mostly we will see "Made in China" these days.

As for old Lugers, you will see "Germany" if it was made for commercial export. And maybe that was only a German requirement, from what government or industry entity I do not know.

Some countries, such as Japan, have had an early history of trashy exports tarnishing their image. So they established a rigid national export quality control and inspection program run by their Ministry of Trade and Industry, MITI. If it doesn't pass muster, it is not exported. I don't know whether Germany ever did such a thing, but it's a great idea. Too bad we don't do it in the U.S.

As Ed notes, none of this gun defacing baloney applies if you import it privately, not for resale.

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09-23-2009, 10:42 AM	#20
PhilOhio User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 145 Thanks: 5 Thanked 17 Times in 14 Posts	Charlie, Just adding to what you said, regarding whether or not we see a country of origin marking, I think it depends upon when the firearm was brought into this country and how. It's true that BATFE only requires importer markings. But they are not the sole regulator of such things. Another branch of our government (Customs or Commerce?) requires country of origin markings on all commercially imported products for resale, as I understand it. But this may only apply to newly manufactured items, or made after a certain date of legislation, perhaps. Firearms are not excluded. Check any recently manufactured firearm, if it was made abroad. And also check anything at all, if it was imported. I guess mostly we will see "Made in China" these days. As for old Lugers, you will see "Germany" if it was made for commercial export. And maybe that was only a German requirement, from what government or industry entity I do not know. Some countries, such as Japan, have had an early history of trashy exports tarnishing their image. So they established a rigid national export quality control and inspection program run by their Ministry of Trade and Industry, MITI. If it doesn't pass muster, it is not exported. I don't know whether Germany ever did such a thing, but it's a great idea. Too bad we don't do it in the U.S. As Ed notes, none of this gun defacing baloney applies if you import it privately, not for resale.