ATF Form 6, officially titled the Application and Permit for Importation of Firearms, Ammunition and Defense Articles, is administered by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) on behalf of the U.S. Department of Justice. The form applies specifically to civilian and commercial importers. Members of the United States Armed Forces are explicitly excluded from using this form.
To complete ATF Form 6, applicants must provide detailed information about each article being imported. This includes the article type, caliber or gauge, quantity, country of manufacture, and the identity of the foreign seller or manufacturer. A certification of origin is required for every shipment. When the final recipient is known at the time of application, that information must also be included in the submission.
The submission process requires applicants to send the completed form to the ATF in triplicate. Processing times can vary depending on application volume and the complexity of the items being imported. After approval, the permit is valid for 24 months from the date of approval. Importers must retain their approved copy and present it when the goods clear U.S. Customs.
Common mistakes on ATF Form 6 include incomplete descriptions of the imported articles, missing country-of-origin information, and failure to provide the certification of origin. Applicants who import defense articles must also verify that those items do not contain military-grade components subject to the U.S. Munitions List, or must clearly disclose such components if they do.
Importers who bring goods in after their permit expires must apply for a new ATF Form 6 before the shipment can legally enter the country. For importers who also need to document the release or receipt of previously imported articles, ATF Form 6A is the required companion document. Dealers who transfer firearms domestically should also be familiar with ATF Form 4473, the Firearms Transaction Record used at the point of sale.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Form Name | Atf Form 6 |
| Form Length | 6 pages |
| Fillable? | No |
| Fillable fields | 0 |
| Avg. time to fill out | 1 min 30 sec |
| Other names | icai form 6, atf form 6a, atf form 6, atf form 6 document |