Instruction Sheet For ATF Form 6NIA (5330.3D)
(Please detach this instruction sheet before submitting your application)
General Information
1. A nonimmigrant alien is an alien in the United States in a nonimmigrant
classication.Thedenitionincludes,inlargepart,personstraveling
temporarily in the United States for business or pleasure, persons studying
in the United States who maintain a residence abroad, and certain foreign
workers.Thedenitiondoesnotincludepermanentresidentaliens.
2. Generally,anynonimmigrantalientemporarilybringingrearm(s)or
ammunition into the United States for legitimate hunting or lawful
sportingpurposesmustrstobtainanapprovedATFF6NIA(5330.3D),
Application and Permit for Temporary Importation of Firearms and
Ammunition by Nonimmigrant Aliens, from the Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
3. Anonimmigrantalienwhoistemporarilybringingrearmsand
ammunition into the United States for reasons other than legitimate
hunting or lawful sporting purposes should not submit an ATF F 6NIA
(5330.3D) application. However, the nonimmigrant alien may need to
have a DSP-61, Temporary Import License, from the Department of State,
Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC), obtained for them. Please
contactDDTCat202-663-1282orhttp://pmddtc.state.govforfurther
information.
4. An approved ATF F 6NIA (5330.3D) import permit is not required for
temporaryimportsofrearmsandammunitionbycertaindiplomats,
distinguishedforeignvisitors,lawenforcementocersoffriendlyforeign
governmentsenteringtheUnitedStatesonociallawenforcement
business,andforeignmilitaryocersenteringtheUnitedStateson
ocialduty.See27CFR§478.115(d)(2)-(5).
5. An approved ATF F 6NIA (5330.3D) import permit also is not required for
rearm(s)orammunitionbroughtintotheUnitedStatesoranypossession
thereof by a nonimmigrant alien who can establish to the satisfaction of
theU.S.CustomsandBorderProtection(CBP)thatsuchrearm(s)or
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
fall within an exception to the general prohibition on nonimmigrant aliens
possessingrearmsandammunition.Seeparagraph18below.
6. You may not temporarily import unregistered National Firearms Act (NFA)
weapons,suchasmachineguns,short-barreledriesorshotguns,and
silencers. If you are not sure if the items you plan to import fall within this
category, please contact ATF’s Firearms and Explosives Imports Branch.
7. Firearms which are of U.S. Government origin or that contain U.S.
Government origin manufactured parts or components generally may not
betemporarilyimportedintotheUnitedStates.Moreover,rearmsand
ammunition may not be imported from certain proscribed countries. For a
listofproscribedcountries,seehttp://pmddtc.state.gov.
8. You must ensure there are no State or local laws in any State you will be
travelling in or travelling through prohibiting your possession of the
rearm(s)orammunitionyouareseekingtoimport.
9. You will not need an export permit from the Department of Commerce or
theDepartmentofStatewhenleavingtheUnitedStateswiththerearm(s)
or remaining ammunition listed on your ATF F 6NIA (5330.3D) permit.
10. It takes approximately 8 to 10 weeks to process an ATF F 6NIA (5330.3D)
import application.
11. If you have any questions or concerns about temporarily importing
rearmsorammunitionintotheUnitedStates,pleasecallATF’sFirearms
and Explosives Imports Branch at (304) 616-4550 or email ATF at
Imports@atf.gov.
12. Additional ATF F 6NIA (5330.3D) are available from the ATF Distribution
Center, 703-870-7526 or 703-870-7528. The forms also can be downloaded
at www.atf.gov.
ATF E-Form 6NIA (5330.3D)
Revised January 2018
Preparation
13. Generally,anonimmigrantalientransitingtheUnitedStateswithafirearm
does not require an ATF Form 6NIA or a DSP-61 issued by the State
Department.Ifyouwillbeinphysicalpossessionofyourfirearm,however,
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
willhavefirearmswithyou,youdonotneedtofileaATFForm6NIAbecause
you are not temporarily bringing your gun in for hunting or other
lawful
sporting purposes. You also do not need a DSP-61 import license from the
State Department because there is an exception to their license requirement that
applies in this situation. However, if you were admitted under a immigrant visa
you do need to have a valid hunting license from a state withintheUnited
StatestolawfullypossessyourfirearmwhileintheUnited States.
14. Nonimmigrant aliens may complete and submit the ATF F 6NIA (5330.3D)
themselves. You do not need to have a dealer or importer licensed by ATF
complete and submit the form.
15. If a nonimmigrant alien has another person (such as a lawyer or hunting 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 nonimmigrant
alien (e.g., under “Residential address,” the person should put the address of the
nonimmigrant alien, not his or her own address.) In addition,thenonimmigrant
alienmustsignthecertificationstatementin question 15.
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 ink
or be typewritten. All required items on the form must be completed or your
application will not be approved. The application should be submitted to:
BureauofAlcohol,Tobacco,FirearmsandExplosives,Firearmsand
Explosives Imports Branch, 244 Needy Road, Martinsburg, WV 25405. It also
may be faxed to 304-616-4554 or emailed to imports@atf.gov.
17. If you are able to receive faxed or emailed documents, we encourage you to
provide your fax number (including your country code) in question 4 or your
email address in item 5. We often experience delays with international mail. If
we are able to fax or email you our response it will reduce the possibility of
delay.
18. In general, aliens admitted under a nonimmigrant visa are prohibited
frompossessingorreceivingfirearmsorammunitionintheUnitedStates.
Thereareexceptionstothisprohibition,including:(1)anonimmigrantalien in
possession of a valid hunting license or permit issued by a State within the
United States, and (2) a nonimmigrant alien in possession of an invitation
or registration to attend a competitive target shooting event or sports
or hunting trade show sponsored by a national, State, or local organization
devotedtothecollection,competitiveuse,orothersportinguseoffirearms.
19. Accordingly, aliens admitted under a nonimmigrant visa must attach
documentation to your ATF F 6NIA (5330.3D) application that establishes you
fall within exception 1 or 2 of paragraph 18 in order to demonstrate
yourpossessionofthefirearm(s)andammunitionintheUnitedStates
will be lawful. In order for your application to be approved, you must provide
ATFwithacopyofeither:(1)avalid,unexpiredhuntinglicenseorpermit
issued by a State within the United States (the hunting license/permit
does NOT have to be from the State where you will be importing and/or using
thefirearm(s)andammunition),or(2)aninvitationand/orregistration
confirmationtoattendacompetitivetargetshootingeventorsportsorhunting
trade show, sponsored by a national, State, or local organization devoted to the
collection,competitiveuse,orothersportinguseoffirearms.Ifyoufax or
email this documentation to ATF, please make sure the document ATF receives
is legible. We suggest you fax or email a legible photocopy of the document.
20. Most States issue hunting licenses and permits to nonimmigrant aliens, often
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
government.
Previous Editions Obsolete