Permit For Temporary Importation Of Firearms And Ammunition By Nonimmigrant Aliens (Page 3 of 4) in pdf

Instruction Sheet For ATF Form 6NIA (5330.3D)

(Please detach this instruction sheet before submitting your application)

General Information

Preparation

A nonimmigrant alien is an alien in the United States in a nonimmigrant

classification. The definition includes, in large part, persons traveling

13. Generally, a nonimmigrant alien transiting the United States with a firearm

temporarily in the United States for business or pleasure, persons studying

does not require an ATF Form 6NIA or a DSP-61 issued by the State

in the United States who maintain a residence abroad, and certain foreign

Department. If you will be in physical possession of your firearm, however,

workers. The definition does not include permanent resident aliens.

you will need to meet one of the exceptions outlined at 18 U.S.C. 922(y).

For example if you are a nonimmigrant alien and you will be driving through

the United States as a short cut to get from one part of Canada to another and

Generally, any nonimmigrant alien temporarily bringing firearm(s) or

ammunition into the United States for legitimate hunting or lawful

will have firearms with you, you do not need to file a ATF Form 6NIA

sporting purposes must first obtain an approved ATF F 6NIA (5330.3D),

because you are not temporarily bringing your gun in for hunting or other

Application and Permit for Temporary Importation of Firearms and

lawful sporting purposes. You also do not need a DSP-61 import license

Ammunition by Nonimmigrant Aliens, from the Bureau of Alcohol,

from the State Department because there is an exception to their license

requirement that applies in this situation. However, you do need to have a

Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

valid hunting license from a State within the United States to make your

A nonimmigrant alien who is temporarily bringing firearms and

possession of the firearm legal while you are in the United States.

ammunition into the United States for reasons other than legitimate

hunting or lawful sporting purposes should not submit an ATF F 6NIA

14. Nonimmigrant aliens may complete and submit the ATF F 6NIA (5330.3D)

(5330.3D) application. However, the nonimmigrant alien may need to

themselves. You do not need to have a dealer or importer licensed by ATF

have a DSP-61, Temporary Import License, from the Department of State,

complete and submit the form.

Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC), obtained for them. Please

15. If a nonimmigrant alien has another person (such as a lawyer or hunting

contact DDTC at 202-663-1282 or for further

information.

guide) complete the ATF F 6NIA (5330.3D) for him or her, the person who

completes the form must answer the questions with information about the

An approved ATF F 6NIA (5330.3D) import permit is not required for

nonimmigrant alien (e.g., under “Residential address,” the person should put

temporary imports of firearms and ammunition by certain diplomats,

the address of the nonimmigrant alien, not his or her own address.) In

distinguished foreign visitors, law enforcement officers of friendly foreign

addition, the nonimmigrant alien must sign the certification statement in

question 15.

governments entering the United States on official law enforcement

business, and foreign military officers entering the United States on

official duty. See 27 CFR § 478.115(d)(2)-(5).

16. The application must be prepared in duplicate. The signature required by

question 15 must be in ink on both copies. Other entries must be printed in

An approved ATF F 6NIA (5330.3D) import permit also is not required for

ink or be typewritten. All required items on the form must be completed or

firearm(s) or ammunition brought into the United States or any possession

your application will not be approved. The application should be submitted

thereof by a nonimmigrant alien who can establish to the satisfaction of

to: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Firearms and

Explosives Imports Branch, 244 Needy Road, Martinsburg, WV 25405. It

the U.S. Customs and Border Protection that such firearm(s) or

also may be faxed to 304-616-4554.

ammunition was previously taken out of the United States or any

possession thereof by such person. See 27 CFR § 478.115(a). Note, even

if you do not need an import permit because of this exception, you must

17. If you are able to receive faxed documents, we encourage you to provide

fall within an exception to the general prohibition on nonimmigrant aliens

your fax number (including your country code) in question 4. We often

possessing firearms and ammunition. See paragraph 18 below.

experience delays with international mail. If we are able to fax you our

response it will reduce the possibility of delay.

You may not temporarily import unregistered National Firearms Act (NFA)

18. In general, nonimmigrant aliens are prohibited from possessing or receiving

weapons, such as machineguns, short-barreled rifles or shotguns, and

silencers. If you are not sure if the items you plan to import fall within this

firearms or ammunition in the United States. There are exceptions to this

category, please contact ATF’s Firearms and Explosives Imports Branch.

prohibition, including: (1) a nonimmigrant alien in possession of a valid

hunting license or permit issued by a State within the United States, and (2) a

Firearms which are of U.S. Government origin or that contain U.S.

nonimmigrant alien in possession of an invitation or registration to attend a

competitive target shooting event or sports or hunting trade show sponsored

Government origin manufactured parts or components generally may not

by a national, State, or local organization devoted to the collection,

be temporarily imported into the United States. Moreover, firearms and

ammunition may not be imported from certain proscribed countries. For a

competitive use, or other sporting use of firearms.

list of proscribed countries, see .

19. Accordingly, you must attach documentation to your ATF F 6NIA (5330.3D)

You must ensure there are no State or local laws in any State you will be

application that establishes you fall within exception 1 or 2 of paragraph 18

travelling in or travelling through prohibiting your possession of the

in order to demonstrate your possession of the firearm(s) and ammunition in

the United States will be lawful. In order for your application to be

firearm(s) or ammunition you are seeking to import.

approved, you must provide ATF with a copy of either: (1) a valid, unexpired

You will not need an export permit from the Department of Commerce or

hunting license or permit issued by a State within the United States (the

the Department of State when leaving the United States with the firearm(s)

hunting license/permit does NOT have to be from the State where you will be

or remaining ammunition listed on your ATF F 6NIA (5330.3D) permit.

importing and/or using the firearm(s) and ammunition), or (2) an invitation

and/or registration confirmation to attend a competitive target shooting event

10. It takes approximately 8 to 10 weeks to process an ATF F 6NIA (5330.3D)

or sports or hunting trade show, sponsored by a national, State, or local

organization devoted to the collection, competitive use, or other sporting use

import application.

of firearms. If you fax this documentation to ATF, please make sure the

11. If you have any questions or concerns about temporarily importing

document ATF receives is legible. We suggest you fax a legible photocopy of

firearms or ammunition into the United States, please call ATF’s Firearms

the document.

and Explosives Imports Branch at (304) 616-4550.

20. Most States issue hunting licenses and permits to nonimmigrant aliens, often

12. Additional ATF F 6NIA (5330.3D) are available from the ATF Distribution

over the telephone or through a website. If you need information about

obtaining a State hunting license or permit, we suggest you contact a State

Center, 1519 Cabin Branch Drive, Landover, MD 20785. The forms also

government.

can be downloaded at

ATF Form 6NIA (5330.3D)

Revised August 2011

Permit For Temporary Importation Of Firearms And Ammunition By Nonimmigrant Aliens Page 3

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