# 2026-08911: ATF Overhauls Banned Countries List for Firearm Imports 2026-08911, Update to Proscribed Countries for Import Restrictions, is a Federal Register proposed rule from Justice Department, Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Bureau published 2026-05-06, effective Comments must be submitted in writing on or before (or, if mailed, must be postmarked on or before) July 6, 2026. Commenters should be aware that the federal e-rulemaking portal comment system will not accept comments after midnight Eastern Time on the last day of the comment period.; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-06-11). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08911 - As of: 2026-06-11 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Document number: 2026-08911 - Title: Update to Proscribed Countries for Import Restrictions - Type: Proposed Rule - Agencies: Justice Department; Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Bureau - Citation: 91 FR 24387 - Published: 2026-05-06 - Effective: Comments must be submitted in writing on or before (or, if mailed, must be postmarked on or before) July 6, 2026. Commenters should be aware that the federal e-rulemaking portal comment system will not accept comments after midnight Eastern Time on the last day of the comment period. - Comments close: 2026-07-06 - Significant: no - Touches household money: yes - Regulation identifier numbers: 1140-AA91 - Last updated: 2026-06-11 ## In one line ATF Overhauls Banned Countries List for Firearm Imports ## Summary The ATF is updating its list of countries banned from importing defense items and firearms. They’re ditching an old list and switching to the State Department’s list, plus only Russia will remain banned for most firearms and ammo imports. If you’re in the import business, get ready to comment by July 6, 2026, and watch for changes that could affect your shipments and paperwork. ## Abstract The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives ("ATF") is proposing to amend Department of Justice ("Department") regulations to remove the existing, outdated list of proscribed countries from which ATF denies applications to permanently import defense articles and services and update it to reference a Department of State list of proscribed countries. The rule also proposes to remove the list of former Soviet countries from which ATF currently denies applications to permanently import most firearms and ammunition, leaving only the Russian Federation as the proscribed country of origin for these imports. ## Effects PRIA read - ATF Will Use State Dept. Proscribed List: benefit, medium. ATF will stop keeping its own static list in 27 CFR 447.52(a) and instead base import denials on the Department of State's list in 22 CFR 126.1. ATF says this will align rules across agencies and reduce compliance burdens for importers by using the State Department's regularly updated proscribed-co… - Former Soviet Ban Lifted for Firearms: benefit, medium. ATF proposes to remove the blanket denial in 27 CFR 447.52(b) that covered firearms and ammunition from the former Soviet countries Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan, allowing ATF to review imports from those countries case-by-case. ATF says this will l… - Russia Remains Banned for Many Imports: cost, low. Even after the proposed changes, ATF will continue to deny applications to import many firearms and ammunition located or manufactured in the Russian Federation under revised 27 CFR 447.52(b). The proposal explicitly keeps Russia as a proscribed country for firearms (except specific listed models)… - Domestic Manufacturers May Face More Competition: cost, medium. ATF notes that about 21,499 domestic Type 07 firearms manufacturers may be indirectly and negatively affected because importers could gain access to new foreign sources after the rule change. ATF requests comment because it cannot currently assess how significant that negative impact might be for d… - Possible Increase in Import Paperwork Filing: cost, low. ATF says this rule could increase the overall number of imported firearms, which may raise how often importers must file Form 6 (ATF Form 5330.3A) and Form 6A (ATF Form 5330.3C). If imports rise, importers should expect a corresponding increase in frequency of these existing filings. ## Related documents - [2026-19694](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19694): Annual Notices on Explosive Materials Storage Facilities to Local Fire Authority, 2026-09-25 - [2026-19693](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19693): Implementing the Safe Explosives Act, 2026-09-25 - [2026-16981](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16981): Application for Relief From Disabilities Imposed by Federal Laws With Respect to the Acquisition, Receipt, Transfer, Shipment, Transportati…, 2026-08-20 - [2026-13586](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-13586): Registering NFA Firearms That Fall Out of Government Contract, 2026-07-06 - [2026-09160](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-09160): Implementing PATRIOT Act Improvements: Contraband Cigarettes and Smokeless Tobacco, 2026-05-08 - [2026-09155](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-09155): Changes to National Firearms Act Tax Remittance Provisions, 2026-05-08 ## Sources - [2026-08911 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/05/06/2026-08911/update-to-proscribed-countries-for-import-restrictions) - [2026-08911 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-05-06/pdf/2026-08911.pdf) ## Related - [Previous: 2026-08910, Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of America; Amendment 58B](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08910) - [Next: 2026-08912, Removing CLEO Notification Under the National Firearms Act](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08912) - [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08911 (as of 2026-06-11).