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Not sure how relevant this is to anyone but our US friends can give an opinion no doubt.

http://www.losttarget.com/form6.html

It's very relevant. You can only take a firearm into the USA as a vistor after obtaining a temporary import permit issued by ATFE. Doing otherwise is a criminal offence that at best will get you summarily ejected and your firearm confiscated. On leaving the US, Homeland Security check out your rifle and advise ATFE which checks that what you're taking out matches what you brought in before you're allowed to take off. (The GB F-Class team's return from Denver to Heathrow after the F-Class World Championship fixture at Raton, New Mexico a few weeks back was delayed by around 40 minutes waiting clearance from ATFE in New York and unfortunately for us, the captain so advised the passengers of the reason!)

To get an import permit for a rifle, you either need proof of a 'hunting' vacation / booking or provide a copy of an invititation to compete in a match or matches for target weapons. Details have to be provided and the rifle or shotgun must meet US regulations on things like minimum overall length and barrel length. Two copies of the application and the invitation or holiday booking must be provided.

ATFE say allow a minimum of eight weeks processing time before your trip. The bureau did the GB F teams' permits a lot quicker though - in three or four weeks if I remember.

Laurie, sorry, I should have said relevant as to it's up to date accuracy. Of course it is all relevant.

Isn't that a bit like taking coal to Newcastle? Unless its your competition gun of course

It was ATF form 5330.3A we used. Here's the link.

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/guides/impo ... ation.html

ATFE return one copy to you stamped in appropriate places to show it's approved

What happens if you want to give it to a friend (not sell it) whilst in the USA?

Laurie did you mean 5330.3A or 5330.3D? 5330.3D looks more appropriate to me. (I'm particularly interested as I'm about to organise this for a team travelling next year.)

Yes, it's the 'D' version you need.

dodgyrog wrote:What happens if you want to give it to a friend (not sell it) whilst in the USA?

Then you have exported it. And your friend has imported it.

Laurie wrote:Yes, it's the 'D' version you need.

Thanks Laurie.