NFA Item Transfer Process
What are NFA Items?
NFA (National Firearms Act) items include:
- Suppressors/Silencers
- Short Barreled Rifles (SBR)
- Short Barreled Shotguns (SBS)
- Machine Guns
- Any Other Weapons (AOW)
- Destructive Devices
Transfer Requirements
FORM 3 (Dealer to Dealer Transfer)
- Required for initial transfer to The Gun Dock
- We handle this paperwork
- Processing time: 3-7 days via eForms
- No cost to customer
FORM 4 (Dealer to Individual/Trust)
- Required for transfer from us to you
- Customer responsibility
- As of January 1, 2026 there is no $200 tax stamp for suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, or AOWs. Machine guns and destructive devices still require the $200 tax.
- Processing time: 5-9 months
- Background check required
Process Steps
- Purchase Item: Complete your order with us
- Form 3 Filing: We submit Form 3 to ATF
- Form 3 Approval: ATF approves dealer transfer (3-7 days via eForms)
- Item Receipt: We receive the item at our warehouse
- Form 4 Preparation: We help prepare your Form 4
- Form 4 Submission: Submit Form 4 (no tax stamp payment for suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, or AOWs as of January 1, 2026)
- ATF Processing: Wait for ATF approval (5-9 months)
- Final Transfer: Item ships to your FFL dealer for pickup once approved
Required Documentation
- Current FFL (for Form 3)
- Form 4 (completed accurately)
- Passport photos (2)
- Fingerprint cards
- CLEO notification
- Note: No $200 tax payment for suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, or AOWs as of January 1, 2026. Machine guns and destructive devices still require it.
Trust vs Individual
- Trust: More flexibility, no CLEO signature
- Individual: Simpler process, CLEO notification required
- Both require fingerprints and photos
Important Notes
- All NFA transfers are final
- No refunds once Form 3 is submitted
- Customer pays all transfer fees
- Items cannot be shipped until Form 4 approval
Questions? NFA transfers are complex. Email FFL@THEGUNDOCK.COM for detailed guidance.