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Procedures for Foreign Attendees

Based on research by the previous SLICS Show Chairman, foreign attendees who desire to bring ANY ammunition into the U.S. need to do two things:


(1) Obtain a current valid hunting license from a state in the United States. Missouri is very cooperative and procedures are listed below. You need to have this license before you can do the next step. (Details for Missouri Hunting License appear below)

NOTE: The BATFE has now recognized the St. Louis International Cartridge Show, which means that an invitation to the show can serve instead of a hunting license to obtain an import permit. The show manager will issue invitations without charge by e-mail or postal service upon request to members of foreign collectors’ organizations who agree to abide by the show rules. The invitation must be included with the import permit application if it is to replace the hunting license in the application process. There are at least two advantages to using the invitation instead of a hunting license: 1) It is free, and 2) it may be obtained at any time during the year. The Missouri hunting license costs $65 and is not available until December. However, the invitation does not meet the requirements for a non-immigrant alien to obtain ammunition in the U.S. A hunting license is still required for that.

(2) Obtain an approved ATF Form 6 NIA Part I (Application and Permit for Importation of Firearms, Ammunition and Implements of War). The Form is both the application and, once approved, the permit you present to the U.S. Customs Service when you enter the United States. The Form 6 NIA can be obtained by calling ATF’s Firearms and Explosives Imports Branch at 1-304-616-4550 or by FAX at 1-304-616-4554. It also can be downloaded from ATF’s Web site (https://www.atf.gov/) as a .pdf file (https://www.atf.gov/firearms/docs/form/form-6nia-applicationpermit-temporary-importation-firearms-and-ammunition/download).

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: 

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, 
Firearms and Explosives Imports Branch, 
244 Needy Road, 
Martinsburg, WV 25405
United States.  


It also may be faxed to 304-616-4554 or emailed to imports@atf.gov

Answers to frequently asked questions about BATF Form 6 NIA and importing ammunition appear below.)

Note- these requirements are in addition to any requirements imposed by your home country or intermediate stops regarding your exporting ammunition from those countries in your travel to the U.S., or importing ammunition into those countries if you plan to have any ammunition with you on your return trip.

Missouri Hunting License

Note; There is no requirement that your hunting license be obtained from Missouri. However, personnel at the Missouri Department of Conservation in general, and Ms. Sandy Rackers in particular, have been extremely helpful and efficient in issuing and mailing licenses worldwide. Since our event is in Missouri, it seems logical that Missouri should benefit from the fees, which are applied to wildlife conservation.

Anyone can apply directly to the Missouri Department of Conservation for their annual nonresident small game permits.

Address: Attn: Sandy Rackers, Fiscal
Missouri Department of Conservation
P.O. Box 180
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180

Phone: (573) 751-4115, ext 3574
E-mail: sandra.rackers@mdc.mo.gov

Information required:

1. Name
2. Address
3. Date of Birth (Must be before 1967, or you have to attend a hunter safety course and prove it.)
4. Social Security Number, if any. Missouri Conservation number that was on your old permit.
5. Hair Color
6. Eye Color
7. Height (in feet and inches)
8. Weight (in pounds)
9. License applying for (Nonresident Annual Small Game License)
10. Credit card information; type of card, number, and expiration date. If application is made by mail, a money order in U.S. Funds may be used.

The State of Missouri Department of Conservation prefers that the applicant’s correct address appear on the license. They will mail the license directly to the applicant’s overseas address at no additional charge.

The nonresident alien living overseas should apply directly to the Missouri Department of Conservation as early as November the year before the license will be needed. The licenses will be issued in December for the following year. Multiyear licenses are not available.

The fee for the license is $65 USD.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Revised Questions and Answers On TD-ATF-471 
(Temporary Regulations regarding Nonimmigrant Aliens)
(Revised: 9/24/2002)

SLICS NOTE: This was downloaded from http://atf.treas.gov/firearms/form6updatesfaqs.htm on 26 January 2003. It has been edited to delete FAQs and parts of FAQs that are not relevant to nonresident aliens importing ammunition for the cartridge show. Sections dealing with firearms importing are not included below, and the ATF website should be checked for information on that subject.

General Questions

1. Q. May foreign visitors and other nonimmigrant aliens legally in the United States purchase or possess firearms and ammunition while in the United States?

A. Nonimmigrant aliens generally are prohibited from possessing or receiving (purchasing) firearms and ammunition in the United States. There are exceptions to this general prohibition. The exceptions are as follows:

  1. nonimmigrant aliens who possess a valid (unexpired) hunting license or permit lawfully issued by a State in the United States; …

2. Q. Typically, who are “nonimmigrant aliens?”

A. In large part, nonimmigrant aliens are persons traveling temporarily in the United States for business or pleasure, …

Bringing Firearms/Ammunition into U.S.

15. Q. The temporary regulations (TD-ATF-471) give the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate (the ATF Director) the authority to require nonresidents temporarily bringing firearms and ammunition into the United States for hunting or other lawful sporting purposes to first obtain an approved import permit. Will ATF will exercise that authority? Will all such importations now require an ATF-approved permit?

A. All nonimmigrant aliens … must obtain an import permit from ATF to temporarily import firearms and ammunition for hunting or other lawful sporting purposes. …

16. Q. What type of form do I, as a nonimmigrant alien, need to file with ATF to temporarily import a firearm or ammunition for hunting or other lawful sporting purposes?

A. You need to file ATF Form 6 NIA Part I (Application and Permit for Importation of Firearms, Ammunition and Implements of War). The Form is both the application and, once approved, the permit you present to the U.S. Customs Service when you enter the United States. The Form 6 NIA can be obtained by calling ATF’s Firearms and Explosives Imports Branch at 1-304-616-4550. It also can be downloaded from ATF’s Web site (www.atf.treas.gov). [The form is a .pdf file at http://www.atf.treas.gov/forms/pdfs/f53303d.pdf ]

18. Q. Do I need to attach any particular documentation to the Form 6 NIA application I submit to ATF?

A. Yes. When you file your Form 6 NIA application, you must provide ATF with appropriate documentation demonstrating you fall within an exception to the nonimmigrant alien prohibition. 
Appropriate documentation includes a valid hunting license/permit from a State of the United States. In order to be valid, the license cannot have expired at the time of submission. An application for a hunting license/permit does not qualify for the exception. A Canadian hunting license/permit also does not qualify.

19. Q. Do I need to show anything other than the approved Form 6 NIA permit to U.S. Customs when I enter the United States?

A. When you enter the United States, you must show Customs both your approved Form 6 permit and appropriate documentation demonstrating you fall within an exception to the nonimmigrant alien prohibition. See FAQ 18 for a discussion on appropriate documentation.

20. Q. I’m a nonimmigrant alien. I provided ATF with a copy of a hunting license when I filed my Form 6 NIA import application. Can I provide Customs with a copy of the same hunting license when I enter the United States?

A. It depends. If the hunting license is still valid (meaning it has not expired) at the time you enter the United States, you may present Customs with a copy of the same license. However, if the hunting license has expired, you must get a new hunting license to present to Customs, or Customs will not allow you to import the firearm or ammunition. Please note, you must have a valid hunting license the entire time you possess firearms or ammunition in the United States or your possession will be illegal.

21. Q. How long does it usually take for ATF to approve a Form 6 NIA permit application?

A. 6 to 12 weeks. Please note, this time frame begins to run once ATF receives a correctly completed application. The time frame is the same whether the application is submitted to ATF by U.S. mail, FedEx, fax, or hand delivery.

24. Q. May I submit my Form 6 NIA application by fax?

A. Yes. You may fax your application documents to the Firearms and Explosives Imports Branch at 1-304-616-4554. If you would like the permit faxed back to you once it is processed, please include a return fax number, as well as a daytime telephone number so that we can follow-up if necessary.

34. Q. If I receive a Form 6 NIA import permit, do I need to obtain an export permit to take the guns and/or any remaining ammunition back out of the United States?

A. No.