Justification for OMB 1140-0007 (ATF Form 6A(5330.3C) 1.26.2021

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, FIREARMS AND EXPLOSIVES

Supporting Statement

OMB 1140-0007

Release and Receipt of Imported Firearms, Ammunition and Defense Articles -

ATF Form 6A (5330.3C)

1. Justification

1. Under 18 U.S.C. § 925(a), 22 U.S.C. § 2778, and 26 U.S.C. § 5844, the importation of firearms, ammunition, and defense articles into the United States is restricted. The importation of articles within the purview of these statutes is prohibited. These statutes also require that persons engaged in the business of importing such articles be licensed and/or registered. Implementing regulations in 27 CFR Parts 447, 478, and 479 detail the forms and procedures necessary to fulfill the import permit requirements. These laws and regulations also establish a comprehensive system for regulating the importation of firearms, ammunition, and defense articles.

2. Personnel from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) use the data collected from this information collection request (ICR) to determine if articles meet the statutory and regulatory criteria for importation. The collected information also ensures that the articles shown on the permit application have actually been imported. The Release and Receipt of Imported Firearms, Ammunition and Defense Articles - ATF Form 6A (5330.3C) serves as the certification for the release and receipt of the articles described on the permit application. The form is used by federally licensed and/or registered importers, Federal firearms licensees other than importers, members of the U.S. Armed Forces, and persons not licensed by or registered with ATF.

1. ATF Form 6A (5330.3C) is available on the website (www.atf.gov) and is fillable. The form may be printed, completed, and mailed to ATF. The form may also be completed, signed, and submitted electronically to ATF via the eForms platform (www.atfonline.gov). The respondent must present the completed ATF Form 6A (5330.3C) to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). If CBP personnel is satisfied that the Director of ATF has authorized the importation, CBP will release the shipment. The importer’s copy of ATF Form 6A (5330.3C) must be mailed to ATF. ATF regulations also require that ATF Form 6A (5330.3C) be filed in duplicate. This provides ATF with notification that the defense articles have entered in the United States. Within 15 days of release from CBP custody, the licensed and/or registered importer is required to examine the shipment, complete Section III of the form as appropriate, attach any required serial number, and forward the form to ATF. CBP does not necessarily examine the actual shipment. However, their notification is a confirmation that the articles have entered the US. The licensed/registered importer is required to examine the shipment, notify ATF of any discrepancies (so our records updated), and report the serial numbers as applicable.

4. ATF uses a subject classification system to identify duplication and to ensure that any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purpose of this information collection.

5. This information collection does not affect small businesses.

6. The consequences of discontinuing the requirement for ATF Form 6A (5330.3C) are that licensed importers, dealers, and military personnel would be unable to import firearms, ammunition, and defense articles as allowed by statute. Shipments would be detained by CBP, resulting in unnecessary expense to the industry. Less frequent collection of this information would substantially increase the possibility of the illegal introduction of firearms, ammunition, and defense articles into domestic commerce. This situation would threaten public safety by exacerbating crime and violence, while undermining the declared law enforcement, foreign policy, and revenue purposes of 18 U.S.C. § 925(a), 22 U.S.C. § 2778, and 26 U.S.C. § 5844.

7. This information collection is conducted in a manner consistent with the guidelines of 5 CFR 1320.6.

8. No comments have been received during the 60-day Federal Register notice period. However, a 30-day notice will be published in the Federal Register to solicit public comments.

9. No payment or gift is associated with this information collection.

10. Disclosure of the information by the applicant is mandatory for the release and receipt of imported firearms, ammunition, and defense articles. The collected information is kept in a secured location. Confidentiality is not assured.

11. No questions of a sensitive nature are asked.

12. There are 28,000 respondents to this form. Each respondent completes the form once per year. The total number of annual responses is 28,000. The estimated time to complete this form is 35 minutes. Therefore, total burden associated with this form is 16,333 hours.

13. Respondents who do not file electronically must mail the completed form to ATF. Approximately 10% of the respondents file electronically. The costs to respondents who choose not to file electronically is postage. Therefore, the total postage cost for this IC can be calculated as follows: 28,000 (total respondents) x.49 (postage cost per respondent) = $13,720.

14. The estimates annual cost to the Federal Government is calculated as follows: $2,200 (printing costs) + $42,000 (labor costs) = $44,200.

15. There are no adjustments to this information collection.

16. The results of this collection will not be published.

17. ATF does not request approval to omit the expiration date of OMB approval for this information collection.

18. There are no exceptions to the certification statement.

2. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods

This information request does not employ statistical methods.

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