SCI Scores for Hunters! Suppressors off ITAR

If you are an SCI member you may have seen this. Many people have worked on this important issue. SCI leads the way for hunters!




Starting November 20, 2026, U.S. hunters will have an easier time traveling internationally with suppressors thanks to new interim rules issued by the U.S. Departments of Commerce and State. This is welcome news for hunters who travel abroad, and it's another example of SCI working behind the scenes to remove unnecessary barriers for our members.

Members should take time to understand the laws and regulations of their destination before they travel with firearms. Rules can vary from country to country, and what is acceptable in one place may not be in another.

What Changed?
The new rules move eligible suppressors from the more restrictive International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) to the Department of Commerce's Export Administration Regulations (EAR).

For many hunters, this means eligible suppressors can now travel under the same export exception as the firearm they accompany, making the process simpler and reducing unnecessary regulatory hurdles for lawful international hunting trips.

SCI Delivered for Hunters
SCI worked directly with both the Departments of Commerce and State to help advance these changes and ensure the concerns of international hunters were heard. This is another example of the value of strong, consistent advocacy on behalf of SCI members.

What's Next?
The rules become effective November 20, 2026. SCI will continue working with both Departments throughout the implementation process and will submit comments to help ensure the regulations are clear, efficient, and practical for hunters traveling abroad.

Every advocacy win, large or small, helps protect your ability to hunt, both at home and around the world. Thank you for being a member of SCI and for helping power our mission to defend the freedom to hunt.

I think Brandon Maddox of Silencer Central has been a part of getting this done as well.

I saw this earlier when it popped into my inbox. I have a little cheer. I will 100% continue to be an SCI member.

The only real question I have is what is considered a “eligible suppressor”?

Elkeater said:

I saw this earlier when it popped into my inbox. I have a little cheer. I will 100% continue to be an SCI member.

The only real question I have is what is considered a “eligible suppressor”?

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From reading both the Commerce and State Department announcements, I believe it to be a suppressor that is designed for military, full-auto use.

Was this a problem that needed fixing? I don't understand what difference this makes for traveling from the USA to international destinations with a suppressor. Been doing it for years and never had an issue going or coming back. Just have the suppressor listed on your 4457 and make sure you have a copy of your Form 4. Has any one here been hassled on about taking a suppressor abroad? Am I just lucky?

Yes you have customs people who have let you slide by the law
There is an ATF form you can fill out and if approved will allow you to take your suppressor as a temporary export

Wooster said:

Was this a problem that needed fixing? I don't understand what difference this makes for traveling from the USA to international destinations with a suppressor. Been doing it for years and never had an issue going or coming back. Just have the suppressor listed on your 4457 and make sure you have a copy of your Form 4. Has any one here been hassled on about taking a suppressor abroad? Am I just lucky?

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Me too but......... Technically it is an ITAR item that was not supposed to go out of the country without a commercial export license and ATF paperwork. It was stupid and unworkable and was calling something "export" when it was not export. Thankfully we got it fixed so now there is no gray area to navigate.

Rickmt said:

Yes you have customs people who have let you slide by the law
There is an ATF form you can fill out and if approved will allow you to take your suppressor as a temporary export

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One time we got an insider at ATF to sign ours without the license. Some would but some would not.

jpr9954 said:

From reading both the Commerce and State Department announcements, I believe it to be a suppressor that is designed for military, full-auto use.

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Can you share any press releases or other info on this? I am sure there is more info to come.

This whole thing is a big relief for me. Since I take many on safari with me and advise many others this issue has always been a worry. Maybe time to lift a glass to all those who got this done!
Cheers

Hi @Philip Glass . SCI is great for hunters. I'm an international member for several years now and I have a question maybe you could answer for me. Why is it that the International members are excluded to win prizes as in hunts from the SCI foundation?

DieJager said:

Hi @Philip Glass . SCI is great for hunters. I'm an international member for several years now and I have a question maybe you could answer for me. Why is it that the International members are excluded to win prizes as in hunts from the SCI foundation?

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I'll find out.

I am glad it went this way, rather than the prosecution route.

So they still should be listed on the 4457 though correct?

DieJager said:

Hi @Philip Glass . SCI is great for hunters. I'm an international member for several years now and I have a question maybe you could answer for me. Why is it that the International members are excluded to win prizes as in hunts from the SCI foundation?

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It is a Federal Sweepstakes law. Only residents of the US can participate in these raffles/sweepstakes.

Philip Glass said:

It is a Federal Sweepstakes law. Only residents of the US can participate in these raffles/sweepstakes.

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Thanks for asking around. Appreciated.

samson7x said:

So they still should be listed on the 4457 though correct?

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yes, but some people are having issues getting that done, I was at my customs office the other day, never an issue the guy is great but: he was out and some para legal anti hunter and told me so. I wanted a separate 4457 form for my suppressor, she did not want to sign it so showed her my stamp and told her TO SIGN THE FORM she did a very bad scribble and huffed off. I will have a talk with my agent when I see him about her, he just tell me just bring the paperwork and nothing else very nice fellow.

samson7x said:

So they still should be listed on the 4457 though correct?

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Yes. I will continue to list them on a separate 4457. My recommendation is to put just the rifle on one form and everything else on another. This is less confusing for folks overseas who think the 4457 is a gun license.

Hyde Hunter said:

yes, but some people are having issues getting that done, I was at my customs office the other day, never an issue the guy is great but: he was out and some para legal anti hunter and told me so. I wanted a separate 4457 form for my suppressor, she did not want to sign it so showed her my stamp and told her TO SIGN THE FORM she did a very bad scribble and huffed off. I will have a talk with my agent when I see him about her, he just tell me just bring the paperwork and nothing else very nice fellow.

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We have to be firm with these Customs folks. Some try to not do a suppressor others try to force you to out your scope on the 4457 with the rifle. They say it is required but that is a lie. At present only Mexico requires the scope to be on the 4457. Hopefully after November 20th we won't be hassled by US Customs on suppressors. If we do they need to be reported. It took some time but I got one reassigned.