Under the Gun Control Act, ATF applies a sporting-purpose evaluation to determine whether a handgun is importable. Factors include the pistol's size, weight, caliber, safety features, and overall configuration — features associated with target shooting or hunting are favorable, while features associated primarily with military or law enforcement use may disqualify a handgun. ATF publishes criteria and has issued formal study reports; importers should consult ATF's import branch and a licensed customs broker before committing to a shipment.

Federal law requires that each imported firearm bear a serial number and be marked with the importer's name, city, and state, as well as the country of manufacture, in a manner that meets ATF's depth and legibility standards. These markings must be applied before the firearm is transferred from the licensed importer. Failure to comply with marking requirements can result in seizure and forfeiture of the firearms and civil or criminal penalties for the importer.