Home / Agencies / DOJ / 2026-09162
Proposed Rule

Firearm Activities in Foreign Trade Zones, Customs-Bonded Warehouses

Agency
DOJ
Document Number
2026-09162
Published
May 8, 2026
Effective Date
-

Abstract

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives ("ATF") proposes amending the definition of "importation" in the implementing regulations for the Gun Control Act ("GCA") and the National Firearms Act ("NFA"). Specifically, the rule proposes to create an exclusion from the GCA and NFA's import requirements for items brought into a customs-bonded warehouse ("CBW") (in addition to the existing exclusion for a foreign-trade zone ("FTZ")). The proposed modification to the definition would also remove the condition that items may be brought into FTZs and CBWs only "for storage." The proposed rule does not exempt merchandise from any applicable customs requirements.

Federal Register Source

This document is published by the Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration. Access the full regulatory text, preamble, and docket comments below.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 2026-09162 Federal Register document?
Document 2026-09162 is a Proposed Rule published by the Department of Justice in the Federal Register on May 8, 2026. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives ("ATF") proposes amending the definition of "importation" in the implementing regulations for the Gun Control Act ("GCA") and the National Firearms Act ("NFA"). Specifically, the rule proposes to create an exclusion from the GCA and NFA's import requirements for items brought into a customs-bonded warehouse ("CBW") (in addition to the existing exclusion for a foreign-trade zone ("FTZ")). The proposed modification to the definition would also remove the condition that items may be brought into FTZs and CBWs only "for storage." The proposed rule does not exempt merchandise from any applicable customs requirements. View the original at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/05/08/2026-09162/firearm-activities-in-foreign-trade-zones-customs-bonded-warehouses.
Is document 2026-09162 an economically significant rule?
No. Document 2026-09162 is not classified as economically significant under Executive Order 12866. Economically significant rules require OIRA review and are estimated to have impacts of $100 million or more per year.

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