A well-known Serbian firearms maker with connections to the U.S. consumer market recently posted an update to an export ban on their products. 

Zastava Arms, which has an Illinois-based subsidiary, last week weighed in on the export ban, first ordered by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in June, halting all arms shipments overseas, including to the U.S. 

"As of now, the export ban imposed by the Serbian government on all weapons, including our beloved Zastava sports rifles, remains in effect," said the company on its social media channels on Oct. 6. "Additionally, there hasn’t been any progress regarding the 35 percent tariffs in discussions between the Serbian government and the U.S. administration."

Zastava said they "remain hopeful that this situation will be resolved soon" and encouraged fans to check in with their local dealers "to see what remains in stock."

Zastava specializes in PAP series Kalashnikov variants and is one of the chief makers of European-made AKs on the American market. It established its U.S. subsidiary in 2019. 

Meanwhile, Prvi Partizan, based in Uzice, Serbia, is a huge manufacturer of ammunition and handloading components that have long been available to American consumers. Founded in 1928, PPU currently loads more than 160 types of rifle and handgun ammunition, many in obsolete or uncommon calibers, and was listed as the third-largest foreign ammo supplier to the U.S. a few years ago. 

Several in-house brands for big box sporting goods stores often repackage PPU ammo, meaning consumers who are used to brands such as Monarch may soon find empty shelf space. 

Vucic established the export ban following blowback from Russia, a traditional ally, over the fact that Serbian-made munitions kept popping up in Ukraine and elsewhere. 

Banner image: Zastava ZPAP M70 seen at the company's booth at SHOT Show '25. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)