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FIREARMS

How do I import firearms, ammunition, & defense articles for competition?

To import guns into the United States, you need to apply for and receive an ATF Form 6, which is an Application and Permit for Importation of Firearms. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) regulates the import of firearms.

An application & Permit for Importation of Firearms, Ammunition, & Defense Articles is needed to import defense articles into the United States.  The most recent PDF versions of the ATF Form 6 import permit applications may be found in the provided link below.

Steps to import guns:

  • Make arrangements with a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) in your state.
  • Complete and submit an ATF Form 6 in triplicate to the ATF.
  • Wait for the ATF to process your application. 

The Form 6 application requires information about:

  • The applicant's name, address, phone number, and license number
  • The country of origin of the firearm
  • The name and address of the foreign seller and shipper
  • A description of the firearm, including its type, caliber, gauge, model, barrel length, and serial number
  • Whether the firearm is new or used
  • The quantity and unit cost of the firearm

It generally takes the Firearms & Explosives Imports Branch (FEIB) personnel approximately four-to-six weeks to process a properly completed ATF Form 6.  To assist the ATF with the timely processing of your forms, we ask that you ensure:

  • The form contains accurate & complete information.
  • Item 1 contains your complete & valid 15-digit Federal firearms license number & your expiration date (located in the box directly to the right of the FFL box), especially the 7th and 8th digits which identifies your type of license.  The 9th digit of your FFL number indicates the year your license expires, & the 10th digit indicates the month.

Any information you can provide to further identify articles may be noted in item 8b.  For example, if you know the firearm is an assault, non-sporting, or NFA weapon, you may note this information separately, directly under columns item 8b-, after you have already described the articles in items d 8a-k.

  • Item 8c contains items caliber and gauge.  If you are importing articles of various calibers & gauges, you must itemize & specifically identify the caliber & gauge of each article.
  • Item 8d contains the quantity.  If you are importing articles of various models, you must itemize & specifically identify each article by its model designation.
  • Item 8g contains the firearm’s exact model designation.  If you are unable to determine the model designation, please attach close-up photographs together with a listing of all markings appearing on the firearm & the location of these markings.  This information will assist us in determining the import status of the firearm, & it should be attached to the completed Form 6.
  • Items 8h-I note the firearm’s barrel and overall length.  Please provide inches instead of centimeters or millimeters. 
Link to ATF Firearms Importation page:
Form athletes must fill out:
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