Form 6nia question
- Thread starter Duck_Hunter
- Start date
I did it for the first time this fall going deer hunting in Michigan. I found this website to be very helpful, including what wording to use for reloads. http://www.losttarget.com/form6.html
Only issue was that the scanned copy of the fax they sent me was so faint you could hardly read it. I downloaded it onto a tablet and handed the tablet to the inspector at the border so she could read it.
When I crossed back into Canada I was asked if I had any firearms. When I said yes, the inspector asked if I had a PAL. I said yes. Then she wanted to see it and I gave it to her. That was the only hiccup.
Chas
Only issue was that the scanned copy of the fax they sent me was so faint you could hardly read it. I downloaded it onto a tablet and handed the tablet to the inspector at the border so she could read it.
When I crossed back into Canada I was asked if I had any firearms. When I said yes, the inspector asked if I had a PAL. I said yes. Then she wanted to see it and I gave it to her. That was the only hiccup.
Chas
I did it for the first time this fall going deer hunting in Michigan. I found this website to be very helpful, including what wording to use for reloads. http://www.losttarget.com/form6.html
Only issue was that the scanned copy of the fax they sent me was so faint you could hardly read it. I downloaded it onto a tablet and handed the tablet to the inspector at the border so she could read it.
I just emailed in another one tonight for a muzzleloader - much easier to do than faxing
When I crossed back into Canada I was asked if I had any firearms. When I said yes, the inspector asked if I had a PAL. I said yes. Then she wanted to see it and I gave it to her. That was the only hiccup.
Chas
Only issue was that the scanned copy of the fax they sent me was so faint you could hardly read it. I downloaded it onto a tablet and handed the tablet to the inspector at the border so she could read it.
I just emailed in another one tonight for a muzzleloader - much easier to do than faxing
When I crossed back into Canada I was asked if I had any firearms. When I said yes, the inspector asked if I had a PAL. I said yes. Then she wanted to see it and I gave it to her. That was the only hiccup.
Chas
The latest version of form 6NIA (Dec 2014) does not require you to have a hunting license or an invitation to a competitive target shooting event if you can answer "no" to Question 13, are you entering "the United States under a non-immigrant visa?" Most of us can answer "no" to this, thus there is no requirement for a hunting license or invitation.
I had my form 6NIA approved this way. I plan to cross the border at the end of the month with my firearms for the first time.
Rickster66
Regular
- Location
- Montreal, Quebec
Faxed my request in last week and got my Approved Form 6 in 7 days. It was actually approved within 2 days of my submission but was only emailed to me 7 days later. I've never mailed it in but might try it next time. Fairly painless if you fill out the form correctly. Only issues I've had is on the classification of some firearms are different between US and Canada. Ross Ranch Hand is classified as a Pistol in the US and hand to change my declaration. Also, reloaded ammo should state - "Reloads - reloaded by self". Reloads was not specific enough. I've also put all the ammo that I think I will be carrying in very large amounts - 2000 for pistol, 1000 rounds for rifle and 22. 500 for shotgun. Never had issues with getting those quantities approved.
kelseyscooter1
Regular
- Location
- Central Alberta
just get my approved form 6NIA back. sad state of affairs, when a foreign country treats me better than my own country. I want to make a clarification for folks on this thread. you do not need a hunting license or invitation for the form 6NIA. you will, however need a hunting license or invitation when you cross the border. the US border people will ask for these documents, and will not let you cross the border with your guns unless you have these documents. you need to have a reason to bring your guns into the US.
reddog9x19
CGN frequent flyer
Tagged for interest.
Mods, could this thread be "Stickied"?
Mods, could this thread be "Stickied"?
Relatively correct they MAY ask for the invite or licence and if they do you likely aren't getting through without one. I have had trips of late that they simply took my form 6 and verified serial numbers and not asked for an invite.
reddog9x19
CGN frequent flyer
Emailed my 6NIA Monday afternoon and received the approval today. Very happy 
So they told you that a hunting license or competition invitation is required?
What is a reasonable amount of ammunition to list? Is there a limit?
I thought I had read about there being a maximum amount, but can't find it now.
Also wondering, is the Form 6NIA the best way if I just want to pass through the USA, but not use my firearms there?
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The best place to seek (correct) answers to your questions is the ATF website.
May a nonimmigrant alien who has been admitted to the United States under a nonimmigrant visa possess a firearm or ammunition in the United States?
An alien admitted to the United States under a nonimmigrant visa is prohibited from shipping, transporting, receiving, or possessing a firearm or ammunition unless the alien falls within one of the exceptions provided in 18 U.S.C. 922
[18 U.S.C. 922(g)(5)(B) and 922
Last Reviewed September 23, 2016
<https://www.atf.gov/firearms/qa/may-nonimmigrant-alien-who-has-been-admitted-united-states-under-nonimmigrant-visa>
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Yes thanks, I have read all of that and am in the midst of filling out the PDF form. I understand that as a Canadian, the ATF does not require me to have a license or invite, because as Canadians we do not enter under a nonimmigrant visa.
I've also read though, that some who show up at the border without hunting license or competition invite are refused entry. Apparently border guards/ homeland security have their own rules and don't necessarily care what the ATF rules are.
I've also read though, that some who show up at the border without hunting license or competition invite are refused entry. Apparently border guards/ homeland security have their own rules and don't necessarily care what the ATF rules are.
The reason CBP asks for the invitation is to support your stated purpose for entering the US. Perfectly with their mandate.
If you said you were going into the US to attend a wedding... They might just ask to see your invitation for that too.
It's not unreasonable.
That said... 'Went to a match this weekend in the US... CBP looked at my F6NIA, but didn't ask to see my invite... This time.
Next time they might... I dunno.
Wendall cut and pasted this: "appropriate documentation demonstrating you fall within an exception to the nonimmigrant alien prohibition."
Shooting a match.. "Appropriate documentation" would likely be... A match invitation.
Going hunting... "Appropriate documentation would likely be... A hunting lic.
It's not about firearms, or a hunting license or a match invitation, it's about your answers (or a lack of them). It's not that CBP doesn't care about ATF's rulings; CBP has a mandate to keep America safe, and they will do their best to identify and to exclude anyone who - in their judgement - is inadmissable. The Form 6NIA meets a legal requirement, but we still must satisfy the CBP agent that we are not a threat and that we will not create any problems while in the USA. If you seek admission, they'll want to know why, and if you fail to satisfy them, you'll be turned around.
