ITAR - International Traffic in Arms Regulations
The U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (22 CFR Parts 120-130), administered by the State Department's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls: jurisdiction and classification on the U.S. Munitions List, registration of manufacturers, exporters and brokers, licences and exemptions for defense articles, agreements for defense services, technical data and classified exports, country policies of denial and the duty to report dealings with proscribed countries, the Canadian, trilateral and treaty exemptions, dual and third-country national employees, violations, debarment, civil penalties and voluntary disclosure, brokering, and reporting of political contributions, fees and commissions. Built section by section from the eCFR text current to 23 September 2026, with rules taking effect in October and November 2026 recorded.
ITAR - International Traffic in Arms Regulations is a compliance framework from United States (Department of State, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls); extraterritorial reach to reexports, retransfers and brokering with 10 domains and 99 controls that map to 100 other frameworks. The largest domains are Part 123: Licences for defense articles – ITAR - International Traffic in Arms Regulations (23 controls), Part 120: Purpose, definitions and general policies – ITAR - International Traffic in Arms Regulations (18 controls), Part 124: Agreements and defense services – ITAR - International Traffic in Arms Regulations (12 controls). Every control below carries what it requires and what an assessor expects to see.
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Framework Domains (10)
Part 120: Purpose, definitions and general policies – ITAR - International Traffic in Arms Regulations
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::120.11 | Classify articles against the USML in the prescribed order of review |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::120.12 | Use commodity jurisdiction determinations where jurisdiction is in doubt and keep the outcome |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::120.13 | Recognise that one occasion of manufacturing, exporting or brokering triggers ITAR registration |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::120.14 | Obtain approval before exporting, furnishing defense services or brokering, unless an exemption applies |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::120.15 | Meet the conditions and recordkeeping duties attached to every exemption |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::120.16 | Confirm eligibility of the applicant and all parties before seeking or using any authorisation |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::120.17 | Support Blue Lantern end-use monitoring |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::120.18 | Manage the consequences of denial, revocation, suspension or amendment of authorisations |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::120.22 | Use advisory opinions and interpretations as guidance, not as authorisations |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::120.3 | Treat an article as a defense article on its characteristics, not its intended use |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::120.32 | Identify defense services wherever they are furnished |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::120.41 | Apply the 'specially designed' test and document releases with contemporaneous evidence |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::120.5 | Respect other agencies' jurisdiction when exporting EAR, nuclear and imported items with defense articles |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::120.50 | Recognise every event the ITAR treats as an export, including deemed exports |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::120.54 | Rely on the activities that are not exports only within their conditions |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::120.56 | Control releases of technical data by inspection, exchange and access information |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::120.62-120.66 | Determine U.S. person, foreign person, ownership, control and affiliate status |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::120.67 | Appoint empowered officials with real independence |
Part 122: Registration of manufacturers and exporters – ITAR - International Traffic in Arms Regulations
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::122.1 | Register before manufacturing, exporting, temporarily importing or furnishing defense services |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::122.2 | Submit a complete and certified Statement of Registration and renew it on time |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::122.3 | Pay the correct registration fee tier |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::122.4(a) | Notify DDTC within five days of indictments, ineligibility and registration changes |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::122.4(b) | Give 60 days' advance notice of any sale or transfer of ownership or control to a foreign person |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::122.4(c)-(d) | Transfer registrations, licences and agreements correctly after a merger or acquisition |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::122.5 | Keep registrant records for five years in a reliable, producible form |
Part 123: Licences for defense articles – ITAR - International Traffic in Arms Regulations
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::123.1 | Apply for the right licence with complete information and supporting documents |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::123.10 | Obtain nontransfer and use certificates where required |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::123.14 | Meet Import Certificate and Delivery Verification requirements when imposed |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::123.15 | Allow for congressional certification of high-value and sensitive exports |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::123.16(a)-(b)(1) | Use the general hardware exemptions only within their limits, including for agreement support |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::123.16(b)(2)-(9) | Apply the low-value spares, packing, mock-up, trade show and affiliate tooling exemptions correctly |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::123.17 | Use the personal protective gear exemption only for personal use and report losses |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::123.21 | Track licence validity and handle unused, expired and revoked licences |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::123.22(a)-(b)(2) | File export information for every hardware export before departure |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::123.22(b)(3) | Report technical data and defense service exports directly to DDTC |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::123.22(c) | Retain or return licences as required |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::123.23 | Stay within the licence value tolerance |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::123.24 | Handle U.S. Postal Service exports of hardware and technical data correctly |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::123.25 | Seek licence amendments only for permitted changes |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::123.27 | Meet the conditions of the special regime for commercial communications satellite components |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::123.28 | Use a licence only for the items, end uses and parties it describes |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::123.3-123.4 | License or correctly claim exemptions for temporary imports of defense articles |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::123.5 | Control temporary exports and return articles on time |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::123.6-123.7 | License exports from foreign trade zones and to foreign warehouses |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::123.8 and 123.11 | License transfers of USML aircraft, vessels and satellites and their foreign voyages |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::123.9(a) | Determine the true end user, end use and destination before applying or claiming an exemption |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::123.9(b) | Tell end users and consignees that the articles are U.S.-controlled |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::123.9(c)-(e) | Request approval for reexports and retransfers with full documentation, using the allied component exemption correctly |
Part 124: Agreements and defense services – ITAR - International Traffic in Arms Regulations
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::124.1 | Obtain agreement approval before furnishing defense services and before amendments take effect |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::124.10 | Submit nontransfer and use assurances with agreements for SME and classified articles |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::124.11 | Allow for congressional certification of agreements for SME manufacture abroad |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::124.12 | Include the required content and undertakings in agreement transmittal letters |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::124.13 | Control technical data exported for off-shore procurement |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::124.14 | Obtain approval and include required terms for warehousing and distribution agreements |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::124.15 | Apply special controls to satellite and launch-related exports and failure investigations |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::124.2 | Use the training and allied maintenance exemptions within their limits |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::124.3 | Export technical data under an agreement only within its scope |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::124.4-124.6 | File concluded agreements and report non-conclusion and termination on time |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::124.7-124.8 | Draft agreements with the required information and mandatory clauses |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::124.9 | Add the manufacturing licence and SME clauses, including the annual sales report |
Part 125: Technical data and classified articles – ITAR - International Traffic in Arms Regulations
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::125.1-125.2 | License technical data exports and disclosures, and keep them within their authorised use |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::125.3 and 125.7 | Export classified technical data and articles only with DSP-85 approval and NISPOM compliance |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::125.4(a)-(b)(3) | Apply the government-directed and agreement technical data exemptions within their limits |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::125.4(b)(10) | Apply the university employee exemption only with its three conditions |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::125.4(b)(11)-(13) | Use the government arrangement, Part 126 and public release exemptions correctly |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::125.4(b)(4)-(8) | Use the copies, maintenance, small arms, returns and follow-on classified data exemptions correctly |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::125.4(b)(9) | Protect technical data carried or accessed by travelling and temporarily assigned employees |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::125.4(c) | Respond to DoD requests for quotes within the bid exemption limits |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::125.5 | Limit disclosures during plant visits to what was approved |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::125.9 | Route classified export authorisations through the security service and return them on completion |
Part 126: General policies, country restrictions and exemptions – ITAR - International Traffic in Arms Regulations
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::126.1(a)-(d) | Apply the policy of denial and exemption bar for proscribed countries |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::126.1(e) | Report proposed or actual sales and proposals involving proscribed countries immediately |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::126.13 | Certify eligibility and list all parties on every application |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::126.14 | Meet the recordkeeping and reporting conditions of comprehensive authorisations |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::126.16 and 126.17 | Use the Australia and UK treaty exemptions only within the Approved Community with marking, records and notifications |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::126.18(a)-(c) | Screen dual and third-country national employees of foreign recipients |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::126.18(d)-(e) | Apply the allied-nationality and treaty-partner employee exemptions only to eligible individuals |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::126.4 | Use the U.S. Government transfer exemptions only within their scope |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::126.5 | Use the Canadian exemptions only for eligible Canadian end users and approved retransfers |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::126.6 | Meet the conditions for FMS and foreign military aircraft and vessel exemptions |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::126.7 | Use the Australia, UK and U.S. trilateral exemption only among eligible parties and items |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::126.9(u) | Keep large uncrewed underwater vehicle activities within the UUV exemption |
Part 127: Violations and penalties – ITAR - International Traffic in Arms Regulations
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::127.1(a)-(b) | Prevent unauthorised exports, reexports, imports, brokering and unregistered business |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::127.1(c) | Hold the organisation accountable for employees, agents and others entrusted with defense articles |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::127.1(d)-(e) | Never deal with or for ineligible persons, or cause or aid a violation |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::127.11 | Address the presumption of denial for past convictions and ineligibility |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::127.12 | Make voluntary disclosures promptly, completely and with senior management authority |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::127.2 | Keep every export control document complete and truthful |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::127.3 and 127.10 | Understand criminal and civil penalty exposure and licensing consequences |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::127.7 and 127.9 | Check for debarred persons and parties related to them |
Part 128: Administrative procedures – ITAR - International Traffic in Arms Regulations
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::128.5 and 128.13 | Respond to charging letters and appeal within the deadlines |
Part 129: Brokering – ITAR - International Traffic in Arms Regulations
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::129.10-129.11 | File annual brokering reports and keep brokering records |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::129.2-129.3 | Determine whether activities are brokering and register brokers |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::129.4-129.6 | Obtain brokering approval for listed articles with a complete, certified request |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::129.7 | Never broker for proscribed countries or listed persons without approval, and report such activity |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::129.8 | Maintain broker registration and notify changes and ownership transfers |
Part 130: Political contributions, fees and commissions – ITAR - International Traffic in Arms Regulations
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::130.12-130.13 | Obtain payment disclosures from vendors and from recipients of fees |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::130.14 | Keep Part 130 records for at least five years |
| itar-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations::130.9-130.11 | Report political contributions, fees and commissions above the thresholds |
Your Compliance Coverage
If you comply with ITAR - International Traffic in Arms Regulations, you already cover:
EAR - Export Administration Regulations
7%
8 controls mapped
Compare →ISO 15189:2022 - Medical Laboratories Requirements for Quality and Competence
4%
4 controls mapped
Compare →South Korea ISMS-P
4%
4 controls mapped
Compare →+ 97 more: DAMA-DMBOK2 - Data Management Body of Knowledge (2nd Edition) (4%), Pakistan Personal Data Protection Bill 2023 (3%)
See all 100 mapped frameworks ↓Maps to 100 other frameworks
Coverage is not the same as your position
This page shows what ITAR - International Traffic in Arms Regulations overlaps with in general. Where your organisation actually stands, against the standard you are going for and the certifications you already hold, is a different question. Same graph and the same recorded refutations, scoped to you rather than to a pair.
The Compliance Position Diagnostic, $5,000 fixed, ten business daysWhat is ITAR - International Traffic in Arms Regulations and who does it apply to?
ITAR - International Traffic in Arms Regulations is a compliance framework from United States (Department of State, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls); extraterritorial reach to reexports, retransfers and brokering with 10 domains and 99 controls. The U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (22 CFR Parts 120-130), administered by the State Department's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls: jurisdiction and classification on the U.S. Munitions List, registration of manufacturers, exporters and brokers, licences and exemptions for defense articles, agreements for defense services, technical data and classified exports, country policies of denial and the duty to report dealings with proscribed countries, the Canadian, trilateral and treaty exemptions, dual and third-country national employees, violations, debarment, civil penalties and voluntary disclosure, brokering, and reporting of political contributions, fees and commissions. Built section by section from the eCFR text current to 23 September 2026, with rules taking effect in October and November 2026 recorded. It is used by organisations to establish and maintain compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
What does ITAR - International Traffic in Arms Regulations actually require?
ITAR - International Traffic in Arms Regulations has 99 controls organised across 10 domains. The largest domains are Part 123: Licences for defense articles – ITAR - International Traffic in Arms Regulations (23 controls), Part 120: Purpose, definitions and general policies – ITAR - International Traffic in Arms Regulations (18 controls), Part 124: Agreements and defense services – ITAR - International Traffic in Arms Regulations (12 controls). Each control defines specific requirements that organisations must implement to achieve compliance.
If I already comply with another framework, how much of ITAR - International Traffic in Arms Regulations do I already cover?
ITAR - International Traffic in Arms Regulations maps to 100 other compliance frameworks. The top mapping partners are EAR - Export Administration Regulations (7% coverage), ISO 15189:2022 - Medical Laboratories Requirements for Quality and Competence (4% coverage), South Korea ISMS-P (4% coverage). Use our comparison tool to explore control-level mappings between frameworks.
How do I implement ITAR - International Traffic in Arms Regulations?
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