Firearms - Guides - Importation & Verification of Firearms, Ammunition and Implements of War - Types of Forms - Applications

Types of Forms

Applications

To obtain approval of submitted applications, the items to be imported must be correctly and completely identified on the ATF F 5330.3A (Form 6). In the case of new or unusual firearms, photographs and drawings of all markings should be submitted with the permit. It is strongly recommended that persons wishing to import firearms, ammunition, and defense articles first determine if the items are importable and then obtain an approved ATF Form 6 before acquiring the items abroad or attempting to bring them into the United States. Items may be conditionally imported pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 925(d) and/or 26 U.S.C. § 5844.

ATF Form 6
Application and Permit for Importation of Firearms, Ammunition and Implements of War

This is the form generally needed to import firearms, ammunition and other defense articles into the United States.

Note: It typically takes the Firearms and Explosives Imports Branch (FEIB) personnel four to six weeks to process a properly executed ATF Form 6 import permit application.

Permit Application Tracking System

One tracking method employed by importers involves the use and placement of an internal control number or optional number generated by the importers on the permit applications they submit. ATF encourages the use of internal control numbers or optional numbers by importers. Importers who elect to use an internal control numbers or optional numbers (composed of no more than 20 alpha-numeric characters) should place these numbers at the top of their ATF Forms 6 in the space entitled For Applicant’s Optional Use. Our database will allow us to capture these unique numbers as a key field, and allows us to search for a given application the unique number established by the importer.

Last Reviewed September 22, 2016