Instructions for Federally Licensed
and/or Registered Importers.
1.ATF Form 6A (5330.3C) is required for every importation of firearm(s), ammunition, and/or defense articles, with certain exceptions listed in 27 CFR Parts 447 and 478.
2.Section I. Importation Information. To obtain release of firearm(s), ammunition, and defense articles from the custody of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the importer may (1) complete Section I of the form, in duplicate, and present one copy to CBP along with his import permit, ATF Form 6 Part
I (5330.3A) or (2) submit Form 6 and 6A data electronically to ATF via the Partner Government Agency (PGA) message set. For additional information on how to submit PGA data to CBP electronically, please see: https://www.cbp.gov/document/guidance/atf-supplemental-guidance-ace. For assistance in setting up an Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) account,
please contact the CBPAce Helpdesk at 1-866-530-4172. Questions for
ATF may be directed to: Imports-Helpdesk@atf.gov. Importers are still required
to send in their copy of the Form 6A to ATF within 15 days of release from CBP custody. Only Sections I and III are required. If the import includes a firearm(s) for which the serial number(s) is not known at the time the ATF Form 6 Part I, (5330.3A) is submitted the serial number(s) must be reported in Section III of the Form 6A (see below) within 15 days from release from CBP custody.
If the import is for firearms, their parts or components, or ammunition, the importer also must present to CBP a copy of the export license authorizing the
export of the article or articles from the exporting country. If the exporting country does not require issuance of an export license, the importer instead must present to CBP a certification, under penalty of perjury, to that effect.
3.Section II. CBP will release the shipment if it is satisfied that the shipment of firearm(s), ammunition, and/or defense articles was authorized by the
Director, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. CBP will no longer complete Section II of the Form 6A.
4.Section III. Verification of Importation. Within 15 days after the article(s)
has been released from CBP, the licensed and/or registered importer must complete
Section III of the duplicate copy of ATF Form 6A and mail it to the address specified below.
Title 27 CFR Part 478 requires that within 15 days after release from CBP, each firearm imported shall be identified by engraving or casting on it the following: (1) serial number, (2) model, (3) caliber or gauge, (4) name of
manufacturer and country where manufactured, and (5) the name, city, and
State of the importer. If firearms serial numbers were not known or reported
at the time of import, the importer must report those serial numbers in an attachment to Block 18. He also must post in his permanent records all required information regarding the importation (27 CFR 478.112).
Instructions for
Federal Firearms Licensees other than Importers
1.ATF Form 6A is required for every importation of firearm(s), ammunition, and/or defense articles, with certain exceptions listed in 27 CFR Parts 447 and 478.
2.Section I. Importation Information. To obtain the release of firearm(s), ammunition, and/or defense articles from the custody of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the importer may (1) complete Section I of the form, in duplicate, and present one copy to CBP along with his import permit, ATF Form 6 Part I (5330.3A) or (2) submit Form 6 and 6A data electronically to ATF via the PGA message set. For additional information on how to submit PGA data to CBP electronically, please see: https://www.cbp.gov/document/guidance/atf-supplemental-guidance-ace. For assistance in setting up anACE account, please contact the CBPAce Helpdesk at
1-866-530-4172. Questions for ATF may be directed to: Imports-Helpdesk@atf.gov.
3.Section II. CBP will release the shipment if they are satisfied that the shipment of firearm(s), ammunition, and/or defense articles was authorized by the
Director, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. CBP will no longer complete Section II of the Form 6A.
Instructions for Members of the U.S. Armed Forces
1.ATF Form 6A is required for the importation of firearm(s) or ammunition, and/or defense articles authorized for importation on ATF Form 6 -Part II (5330.3B).
2.SectionI. Importation Information. To obtain release of firearm(s) or ammunition or defense articles from the custody of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the member of the United States Armed Forces must complete Section I of the Form 6A and present it to CBP along with his import permit, ATF Form 6-Part II (5330.3B).
3.Section II. CBP will release the shipment if they are satisfied that the shipment of firearm(s), ammunition, and/or defense articles was authorized by the
Director, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. CBP will no longer complete Section II of the Form 6A.
Instructions for Persons Not
Licensed by or Registered with ATF
1.ATF Form 6A is required for the importation of firearm(s), ammunition, and/or defense articles, with certain exceptions listed in 27 CFR Parts 447 and
478.
2.Section I. Importation Information. To obtain release of firearm(s), ammunition, and/or defense articles from the custody of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the individual must complete Section I of the form and present it to CBP along with his import permit, ATF Form 6 -Part I (5330.3A).
Record Retention Requirement
Federal firearms licensees must retain this form as part of their ATF required records
permanently as prescribed by 27 CFR 478.129(d). Importers registered under the
Arms Export Control Act who do not also hold a Federal firearms license must retain this form as part of their ATF required records for at least the 6-year period
prescribed by 27 CFR 447.34(b).
Privacy Act Information
The following information is provided pursuant to Section 3 of the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. § 552a(e)(3)).
1.Authority. Solicitation of this information is made pursuant to the Gun Control Act of 1968 (18 U.S.C. Chapter 44), and Section 38 of the Arms Export Control Act of 1976 (22 U.S.C. § 2778). Disclosure of
this information by the applicant is mandatory for the release and receipt of imported firearm(s), ammunition, and/or defense articles.
2.Purpose. To determine that the importation of firearm(s), ammunition, and/or defense articles has taken place; to verify that the term(s) was (were) released to and received by the importer or his agent; and to verify that the item(s) released was (were) the items listed on the application for importation.
3.Routine Uses. The information will be used by ATF to make the determinations set forth in the "Purpose" section above. In addition, the information may be disclosed to other Federal, State, foreign, and local law enforcement and
regulatory agency personnel to verify information on the application and to aid in the performance of their duties with respect to the regulation of firearms, ammunition, and defense articles. The information may further be disclosed to the Department of Justice if it appears that the furnishing of false information may constitute a violation of Federal law.
4.Effects of Not Supplying the Information Requested. Failure to supply complete information will delay processing and may cause denial of the application.
