Defense Trade Controls - Who We Are

Department of State Mission Statement

Create a more secure, democratic, and prosperous world for the benefit of the American people and the international community.

PM Mission Statement

Integrate diplomacy and military power to foster a stable and secure international environment hospitable to American interests and values.

DDTC Mission Statement

Advance national strategic objectives and U.S. foreign policy goals through timely enforcement of defense trade controls and the formulation of defense trade policy.

The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC), Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, in accordance with 22 U.S.C. 2778-2780 of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 C.F.R. Parts 120-130), is charged with controlling the export and temporary import of defense articles and defense services covered by the United States Munitions List (USML). It has among its primary missions (a) taking final action on license applications for defense trade exports and (b) handling matters related to defense trade compliance, enforcement, and reporting.

In fulfilling its mission and facilitating the best public service possible, DDTC:

• Provides timely, professional, knowledgeable, and courteous service to private and public sector persons seeking guidance on registration, making applications for defense export approvals, requesting the status of specific licensing cases, or seeking guidance about compliance with export law and regulations.
• Processes the registration of manufacturers, exporters, and brokers of defense articles and/or defense services.
• Administers and enforces the AECA and the ITAR, in furtherance of U.S. national security and foreign policy, through prudent licensing, assurance of proper end-use of licensed exports, implementation of sound practices based on statutory and regulatory interpretation, and detection/prevention of unauthorized transfers.
• Works closely with other agencies to ensure compliance with U.S. regulations and appropriate enforcement when violations of the AECA and ITAR occur.
• Ensures that authorizations of exports take into account all U.S. bilateral and multilateral agreements related to arms transfers (e.g., the Wassenaar Arrangement, the Missile Technology Control Regime).
• Supports defense export-related projects in such a manner that allies and friendly nations remain confident of the U.S. as a reliable source of defense articles and services and that antagonists are denied such articles and services.
• Participates in export control assistance and cooperative efforts with countries to establish comprehensive, effective export control systems.

Registration: By law, all U.S. manufacturers, exporters, and brokers of commodities covered by the U.S. Munitions List must register with the Department of State. Registration information may be requested by telephone (202) 663-2700 or by fax (202) 261-8264. The registration booklet is also available online.

Compliance Assistance: Compliance specialists are available to discuss regulatory matters in an effort to forestall or resolve problems, as well as to advise the private sector regarding the liabilities, civil and criminal, that may be incurred if legal and regulatory requirements are not observed. DDTC encourages individuals and companies to disclose voluntarily defense trade violations. Such disclosures may be considered a mitigating factor in determining what penalties, if any, might be imposed by the Department. Further details on the voluntary disclosure process are found in the ITAR.

In-House Seminar Program: DDTC periodically conducts a seminar program to explain current export control policies and procedures to the business community. Information on avaliable sessions will be posted on this website.

Commodity Jurisdiction: If you are unsure of the export licensing jurisdiction of an item, you should request a commodity jurisdiction (CJ) determination. A CJ determination establishes the proper licensing authority for an item; it is not an approval to export.

Advisory Opinions: Persons desiring information as to whether or not DDTC would likely approve the export of specific defense articles or services to particular countries are encouraged to use DDTC's "Advisory Opinion" procedure. Written requests for advisory opinions must include details about the equipment or service, the intended usage, application, security classification (if any), and the country or countries involved. Opinions rendered in response to requests are not binding, and do not confer permission to export. U.S. policy reflected in advisory opinions may change as international developments warrant.

Electronic Assistance: DDTC offers a variety of electronic services to assist exporters and to improve licensing efficiency: ROBB (Remote Online Bulletin Board) and ELLIE (Electronic License Entry System).

ROBB provides detailed license status information, plus some additional information regarding defense trade policy. To establish a ROBB connection, contact the DDTC computer staff at (202) 663-2838.

ELLIE is designed to allow applicants to complete applications on a personal computer, dial up DDTC's computer via modem, and submit the application electronically. For more information or to sign up for ELLIE, please call DDTC's computer support staff at (202) 663-2838.

• Personnel Listing

• Licensing Team Responsibilities