0A501 Category 0A

Firearms (except 0A502 shotguns, 0A506 semi-automatic rifles, 0A507 semi-automatic pistols, and 0A508 semi-automatic shotguns) and related commodities (except semi-automatic related commodities enumerated or otherwise described in Eccn 0A509 for Eccns 0A506, 0A507, or 0A508) as follows (see List of Items controlled).

Category 0: Nuclear Materials, Facilities, and Equipment, Firearms, Ammunition [and Miscellaneous Items]

Reasons for control

• NS: National security
• RS: Regional stability
• FC: Firearms convention
• UN
• AT: Anti-terrorism

Country chart

List-based license exceptions

Items

1. a. Non-automatic and non-semi-automatic firearms equal to .50 caliber (12.7 mm) or less.
2. b. Non-automatic and non-semi-automatic rifles, carbines, revolvers or pistols with a caliber greater than .50 inches (12.7 mm) but less than or equal to .72 inches (18.0 mm).
3. c. The following types of “parts” and “components” if “specially designed” for a commodity controlled by paragraph .a or .b of this entry or ECCNs 0A506 or 0A507, or USML Category I (unless otherwise enumerated or elsewhere specified on the USML or controlled under ECCN 0A509): Barrels, cylinders, barrel extensions, mounting blocks (trunnions), bolts, bolt carriers, operating rods, gas pistons, trigger housings, triggers, hammers/striker, sears, disconnectors, pistol grips that contain fire control “parts” or “components” (e.g., triggers, hammers/striker, sears, disconnectors) and buttstocks that contain fire control “parts” or “components.”
4. d. Detachable magazines with a capacity of 17 to 50 rounds “specially designed” for a commodity controlled by paragraph .a or .b of this entry or controlled by ECCNs 0A506 or 0A507.
5. e. Receivers (frames) and “complete breech mechanisms,” including castings, forgings, stampings, or machined items thereof, “specially designed” for a commodity controlled by paragraph .a or .b of this entry.
6. f. through w. [Reserved]
7. x. “Parts” and “components” that are “specially designed” for a commodity classified under paragraphs .a through .c of this entry, a commodity classified under ECCNs 0A506 or 0A507, or the USML and not elsewhere specified on the USML or CCL or controlled under ECCN 0A509.
8. y. Specific “parts,” “components,” “accessories” and “attachments” “specially designed” for a commodity subject to control in this ECCN, ECCNs 0A506, 0A507, or common to a defense article in USML Category I and not elsewhere specified in the USML or CCL as follows, and “parts,” “components,” “accessories,” and “attachments” “specially designed” therefor.
9. y.1. Stocks (including adjustable, collapsible, blades and braces), grips, handguards, or forends, that do not contain any fire control “parts” or “components” (e.g., triggers, hammers/striker, sears, disconnectors);
10. y.2 through y.5. [Reserved]
11. y.6. Bayonets; and
12. y.7. Firearms manufactured from 1890 to 1898 and reproductions thereof.

Related controls

(1) See USML Category I for firearms that are fully automatic, and certain related parts, components, accessories, and attachments (including magazines with a capacity of greater than 50 rounds). (2) See ECCN 0A506 for semi-automatic rifles. (3) See ECCN 0A507 for semi-automatic pistols. (4) See ECCN 0A508 for semi-automatic shotguns and ECCN 0A502 for certain “parts” and “components” for semi-automatic shotguns that are not controlled by 0A509.a or .c. (5) See ECCN 0A509 for enumerated or otherwise described “parts,” “components,” devices, “accessories,” and “attachments” for ECCNs 0A506, 0A507, and 0A508. (6) See .d, .x, and .y of this entry for other “parts,” “components,” “accessories,” and “attachments” “specially designed” for 0A506 and 0A507, or 0A508. (7) See ECCN 0A502 for non-automatic shotguns and their “parts” and “components” that are subject to the EAR and for certain “parts” and “components” for semi-automatic shotguns that are not controlled by 0A509.a or .c. (8) See ECCN 0A504 and USML Category XII for controls on optical sighting devices.

Notes

License Requirement Note: In addition to using the Commerce Country Chart to determine license requirements, a license is required for exports and reexports of ECCN 0A501.y.7 firearms to the People's Republic of China.

Note 1 to paragraph 0A501.a: 'Combination pistols' are controlled under ECCN 0A501.a. A 'combination pistol' (a.k.a., a combination gun) has at least one rifled barrel and at least one smoothbore barrel (generally a shotgun style barrel).

Note 2 to paragraph 0A501.a: Semi-automatic firearms equal to .50 caliber (12.7 mm) or less are controlled under ECCNs 0A506 and 0A507.

Technical Note to 0A501.a: Firearms described in 0A501.a include those chambered for the .50 BMG cartridge.

Technical Note to 0A501.c: Barrel blanks that have reached a stage in manufacturing in which they are either chambered or rifled are controlled by 0A501.c.

Note 3 to paragraph 0A501.d Magazines with a capacity of 16 rounds or less are controlled under 0A501.x; for magazines with a capacity greater than 50 rounds, see USML Category I. Magazines that hold only blank ammunition controlled under 0A505.d are controlled under 0A501.d or 0A501.x, depending on the magazine's capacity.

Note 4 to 0A501.e: Frames (receivers) under 0A501.e refers to any “part” or “component” of the firearm that has or is customarily marked with a serial number when required by law. This paragraph 0A501.e is synonymous with a “part” or “component” that is regulated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (see 18 U.S.C. 921(a)(3); 27 CFR parts 447, 478, and 479,) as a firearm.

Note 5 to 0A501.e: Frames (receivers) “specially designed” for semi-automatic firearms are controlled under ECCN 0A509.b or .c.

Technical Note 1 to 0A501: ECCN 0A501 includes “parts” and “components” that are not “subject to the ITAR” even though they are common to firearms described in ECCN 0A501 and to those firearms “subject to the ITAR.”

Technical Note 2 to 0A501: A receiver with any other controlled “part” or “component” ( e.g., a barrel (0A501.c), or trigger guard (0A501.x), or stock (0A501.y.1)) is still controlled under 0A501.e.

Technical Note 3 to 0A501: Blank firing adapters, which are attachments to semi-automatic and automatic firearms used in conjunction with blank cartridges for safety and functional reasons and used for firearm training purposes by police, military, sporting shooters, as well as in the movie industry, are designated as EAR99.

Note 6 to 0A501: Antique firearms (i.e., those manufactured before 1890) and reproductions thereof, muzzle loading and black powder firearms except those designs based on centerfire weapons of a post 1937 design, BB guns, pellet rifles, paint ball, and all other air rifles are EAR99 commodities.

Note 7 to 0A501: Muzzle loading and black powder firearms with a caliber less than 20 mm that were manufactured post 1937 that are used for hunting or sporting purposes that were not “specially designed” for military use and are not described on the USML nor controlled as shotguns under ECCN 0A502 are EAR99 commodities.

Note 8 to 0A501: Scope mounts or accessory rails, iron sights, sling swivels, and butt plates or recoil pads that are subject to the EAR are designated as EAR99. These commodities have been determined to no longer warrant being “specially designed” for purposes of ECCN 0A501.

Note 9 to 0A501: A kit, including a replacement or repair kit, of firearms “parts” or “components” customarily sold and exported together takes on the classification of the most restrictive “part” or “component” that is included in the kit. For example, a kit containing 0A501.y and .x “parts,” is controlled as a 0A501.x kit because the .x “part” is the most restrictive “part” included in the kit. A complete 0A501 firearm disassembled in a kit form is controlled as a firearm under 0A501.a, .b, or .y.7.

Source: eCFR, version 2026-08-01, retrieved 2026-08-20T04:04:59+00:00.