123.18—Firearms for personal use of members of the U.S. Armed Forces and civilian employees of the U.S. Government.
The following exemptions apply to members of the U.S. Armed Forces and civilian employees of the U.S. Government who are U.S. persons (both referred to herein as personnel). The exemptions apply only to such personnel if they are assigned abroad for extended duty. These exemptions do not apply to dependents.
(a) Firearms.
Port Directors of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall permit nonautomatic firearms in Category I(a) of § 121.1 of this subchapter and parts therefor to be exported, except by mail, from the United States without a license if:
(1)
They are consigned to servicemen's clubs abroad for uniformed members of the U.S. Armed Forces; or,
(2)
In the case of a uniformed member of the U.S. Armed Forces or a civilian employee of the Department of Defense, they are for personal use and not for resale or other transfer of ownership, and if the firearms are accompanied by a written authorization from the commanding officer concerned; or
(3)
In the case of other U.S. Government employees, they are for personal use and not for resale or other transfer of ownership, and the Chief of the U.S. Diplomatic Mission or his designee in the country of destination has approved in writing to Department of State the import of the specific types and quantities of firearms into that country. The exporter shall provide a copy of this written statement to the Port Director of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
(b) Ammunition.
Port Directors of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall permit not more than 1,000 cartridges (or rounds) of ammunition for the firearms referred to in paragraph (a) of this section to be exported (but not mailed) from the United States without a license when the firearms are on the person of the owner or with his baggage or effects, whether accompanied or unaccompanied (but not mailed).