quote:

Originally posted by ftg767:
So last time I left the US, I didn't have any contact with Customs so how do you do this:

Prior to departing the U.S., you MUST verbally declare the items to U.S. Customs and Border Protection and provide confirmation that the electronic export information was submitted into AESDirect.

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Originally posted by Saeed:
According to the following, it would appear it applies to everyone??!!



Any time a person departs the United States by any means or method of transportation, and is traveling with firearms and/or ammunition in their possession, the person must comply with all applicable laws and regulations governing the lawful exportation of these controlled items.

All persons who intend to travel from the United States to a foreign country with firearms and/or ammunition are reminded that both the permanent and temporary exportation of these items are subject to federal export licensing regulations. The export regulations for handguns, rifles, associated parts and components, and related ammunition are found in the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) administered by the Department of State’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC). The export regulations for sporting shotguns (barrel length of 18 inches or more), muzzle loading firearms, associated parts and components, and related ammunition are found in the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) administered by the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS).

Export regulations require that prior to traveling outside the United States with firearms and/or ammunition all departing persons must obtain a valid and appropriate DDTC or BIS export license or qualify for a valid DDTC license exemption under 22 C.F.R. 123.17 - 123.18 or a valid BIS license exception under 15 C.F.R. 740.14(e).

Before exporting any firearms and/or ammunition with a valid DDTC or BIS export license or a qualifying license exemption, the traveler, or an agent acting on the traveler’s behalf, must file the Electronic Export Information (EEI) using the Automated Export System (AES) or the Internet-based system AESDirectwhich is publicly availableand free of charge. In addition to filing the EEI in AES or AESDirect prior to export, all firearms, ammunition and additional mandatory documentation (e.g., certifications, foreign import permits, proof of AES filing; such as the Internal Transaction Number) must be presented to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) authorities for visual inspection at the port of departure from the United States.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is the primary federal law enforcement agency responsible for investigating international smuggling operations and enforcing U.S. export control laws. Failure to comply with the federal regulations governing the temporary and permanent export of firearms and/or ammunition from the United States (including the proper filing of EEI) may result in the detention, seizure, and forfeiture of improperly declared firearms and ammunition and could further subject the traveler to arrest and criminal prosecution by HSI special agents for violation of federal export and/or arms smuggling laws.

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Originally posted by Cajun1956:
Does the following controversial United Nations Arms Trade Treaty sound familiar?

"The landmark Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), regulating the international trade in conventional arms - from small arms to battle tanks, combat aircraft and warships - entered into force on 24 December 2014."

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Originally posted by MJines:
From the ICE FAQs:

Q. I am going hunting in Africa and plan to take a rifle and rifle ammunition; do I need to obtain an export license?

A. No, 22 C.F.R. § 123.17 allows U.S. persons to temporarily export up to three (3) firearms (rifles and/or handguns) and up to 1000 rounds of related ammunition without a license providing that they will be returned to the United States. However, the exporter is still required to make a declaration via the Automated Export System (AES) pursuant to 22 C.F.R. § 123.22(a) and submit the AES Internal Transaction Number (ITN) along with the firearms/ammunition to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for visual inspection prior to departure from the U.S. NOTE: U.S. persons exporting firearms and ammunition from the United States using a valid license exemption are responsible for knowing and complying with any foreign laws requiring an import permit or advanced authorization prior to transporting or carrying firearms and ammunition into the foreign country. Attempting to bring firearms into a foreign country without prior authorization or permission from the appropriate foreign officials may result in arrest, criminal prosecution, seizure of personally owned firearms and ammunition, and/or denial of entry into the country.

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Originally posted by Cajun1956:
As per Fox News (published September 26, 2014):

***
Addressing the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday, President Obama said that all nations “must meet our responsibility to observe and enforce international norms.” What he meant by that wasn’t exactly clear, starting with what those norms are, and who gets to define them. But that kind of thinking on the president’s part is precisely why the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) is so bad for the United States.

The ATT is a convention that attempts to stop rogue regimes from selling guns and keep mercenaries, terrorists and other bad guys from buying them. It has long been controversial in the U.S. because of concerns that it will undermine Second Amendment rights and hurt the ability of the U.S. to arm allies like Israel. At its core, the ATT calls on nations to enforce easily-manipulated and constantly-evolving “standards” to decide what nations are fit to import arms. In other words, “international norms.”

The problem is that the ATT is a conveyor belt to a destination that we cannot control. That’s because it would bind us—once we formally ratified it-- to submit to norms defined by the so-called international community.

The ATT does not bind us until we agree to it, and there is a formal process for doing that. It means submitting the treaty to the Senate, receiving the Senate’s advice and consent—which requires a two-thirds majority-- and passing the necessary implementing legislation through both the House and the Senate.

But President Obama apparently feels that the U.S. “must” observe the treaty’s norms even if that process hasn’t taken place. He’s implying that he has the right – even the obligation – to enforce the treaty’s intent, even if the Senate has never accepted the document that embodies them. That is, even though no American legislature has had a chance to have a say in what those “norms” are.

This is not new in an administration that believes it can achieve its goals by making up regulations rather than passing laws that involve other branches of government.
***

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Originally posted by Tim Carney:
Had a look at the AESDirect website to learn how to file the EEI form.

Would appear that individuals cannot do so. You have to be a company, designate an Account Administrator who cannot file the EEI. For that, the Account Administrator must name a User Manager.

Clearly this thing (I checked the date, by the way to be sure we were not at 1 April ) has not been totally thought through/set up. Time to go to a Congressman in the Sportsman's Caucus...

Regards

quote:

Originally posted by 30.06king:
If Saeeds information is the official version, saying " Any time a person departs the United States...." would this apply to US citizens only...? Having read the statement I am concerned. I am hunting in Idaho this year, bringing my own rifle and ammo and am sure I am compliant with official requirements that allows this. But, when it's time to return to NZ, with same rifle and remaining ammo, will I have to adhere to these new rules even though I am not a US citizen...? I should look further into this I think. Where should I direct enquiries to obtain sensible answers...?

Working through the Quiz Link above told me I need an Export License. BUT, info in the FAQ's Link refers to " Guidance for US Persons..." I might have answered my own questions... hopefully ? If anyone disagrees with my conclusions please let me know. Feel for you US hunters / travelers though. This is just unbelievable !

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Originally posted by Jaglav:
If you can do the clearance in advance it is a minor inconvenience however if it must be done at the airport on the day of departure it gets more complicated or possibly impossible depending on the airport and day of travel if on the weekend.

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Originally posted by Jaglav:
If you can do the clearance in advance it is a minor inconvenience however if it must be done at the airport on the day of departure it gets more complicated or possibly impossible depending on the airport and day of travel if on the weekend.

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Originally posted by sdirks:
So, if your flight originates in a US airport that is not a port of entry (and therefore doesn't HAVE Customs personnel on site) can you no longer check your rifle case through to your destination, as I have always done in the past? Now you have to set up your trip so that you have enough time in say, Dulles, to retrieve your bags, go visit Customs somewhere and then go see TSA again before boarding? At the very least it will make booking flights trickier than it was. ...

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Originally posted by Frostbit: ... Essentially, I'm not sure what date this new statute went into effect but I suspect the Border folks mostly don't know about it yet and thus you are at the mercy of individual whim and luck of the draw.

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Originally posted by Jaglav:
If you can do the clearance in advance it is a minor inconvenience however if it must be done at the airport on the day of departure it gets more complicated or possibly impossible depending on the airport and day of travel if on the weekend.

quote:

Originally posted by sdirks:
So, if your flight originates in a US airport that is not a port of entry (and therefore doesn't HAVE Customs personnel on site) can you no longer check your rifle case through to your destination, as I have always done in the past? Now you have to set up your trip so that you have enough time in say, Dulles, to retrieve your bags, go visit Customs somewhere and then go see TSA again before boarding? At the very least it will make booking flights trickier than it was.

I would appreciate hearing from those of you flying out these next few months to see how this works in practice.