American customers buying guns in Britain from British dealers have been impacted significantly by the tariff policies imposed by Donald Trump in his second term as US President.
As we enter 2026, the situation does not appear to be improving.
With a build time of around four years being quoted by most British gun-makers, many customers who ordered guns under the Biden administration, or even at the end of the first Trump one, now have to contend with additional costs of 10% (amounting to around £14,000 on a new Purdey) that were not previously applicable.
antiques were classed as duty-free
Importers of vintage guns (pre-1898) used not to pay any import duty in the US, as antiques were classed as duty-free. With this status now revoked, even Victorian shotguns imported from Britain now attract a 10% tariff, payable by the customer.
Some enquirers have expressed consternation about the new policy, which is deterring Americans from buying new or used British guns.
Those who advocate a ‘buy American’ policy will be hard placed to buy an American Purdey or a find an American dealer selling at the sensible prices most British dealers advertise.
Now (January 2026) those policies appear even more challenging, with Trump threatening 25% tariffs on any country not facilitating his illegal quest to annex Greenland, which belongs to America’s NATO ally Denmark.
his volatility presents problems to businesses and customers
For now, he has dropped the threat but his volatility presents problems to businesses and customers, who have no idea what might be imposed at his whim in a month, six months or a year’s time.
We have spoken to UK dealers scrambling to get orders finished and exported ahead of schedule in order to avoid the announced hike in tariffs to 25%, only to have a ‘stay of execution’ announced. But for how long?
It is also worthy of note that the 10% tariff imposed by Trump is in addition to the standard import duties that previously existed.
Some customers appeared to be under the impression that the tariffs were paid by other countries when they sell products to Americans. This is not the case.. The tariff is paid by the American customer.
US consumers have paid around $200 billion in extra taxes
A recent report from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy calculated that since Trump took office a year ago, US consumers have paid around $200 billion in extra taxes through Trump’s tariff system.
This is certainly affecting orders and consumer confidence. No market likes instability and no customer wants to order a $10,000 gun and then have to pay an unexpected £1,000 or £2,500 to the US tax authorities when it arrives at Border Security.
For now, we can only watch and react as different tariff threats are raised ad dropped. At present it remains at 10% for vintage guns. We will continue to monitor the situation and do our best to advise consumers.
Published by Vintage Guns Ltd on
