My personal paradox when it comes to import export regulations, is that by the time I’ve familiarized myself enough to talk about things intelligently I’m so engrossed in the field that I assume everyone has the same knowledge base that I do.

This comes into play on web sites like this where we start throwing around terms like DSP-5, end-user, ELLIE, and other industry specific terms without covering the basics. That said, here’s a step in that direction for exporters of true military goods. These definitions are targeted towards people who are exporting (or importing) military grade hardware and technical info for true military applications

Office of the PMDTC – stands for Office of Political Military Defense Trade Controls and is a branch of the Department of State. These are the guys you want to check with before driving a truckload of M-16s across the border.

DDTC – Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, this acronym is generally interchangeable with PMDTC.

Who needs to apply to the PMDTC?

Generally, any person or company who intends to export or to temporarily import a defense article must obtain the approval of DDTC prior to the export or temporary import. The appropriate license form must be submitted for the purpose of seeking approval.

Registration Requirement – In most cases, in order for a license to be considered, you first must be registered with DDTC.

You can register with the DDTC at http://pmddtc.state.gov/registration.htm

There are three ways that you can submit a license:

Through D-Trade (fully electronic system)
Through ELLIE (ONLY to amend licenses, through use of the DSP-119)
By sending in licenses in hard copy (a very limited option).

Most of this information was shamelessly lifted from the PMDTC web site at: http://pmddtc.state.gov/licenses.htm.

If you’re looking for more of this kind of stuff, that’s a good place to start.

Posted on October 29th, 2007 by keeton
Filed under: ITAR