subject: What Does An Itar License Consultant Do? [print this page] What Does an ITAR License Consultant Do? What Does an ITAR License Consultant Do?
ITAR stands for "International Traffic in Arms Regulations" and is a set of federal regulations controlling import and export of defense-related products and services that are listed on the United States Munitions List, or USML. The goal of ITAR is the safeguarding of national security, and the regulations are enforced by the State Department's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, or DDTC. What ITAR basically does is ensure that material and data related to defense or military technology is only shared with those in the U.S. unless the State Department authorizes an exemption.
ITAR Registration and Export Licenses
You may think that ITAR doesn't apply to your company because you don't make defense related products or supply defense related services. However, ITAR has broad reach, and if your company exports at all, it is vital that you determine specifically whether your products and services fall under ITAR or not. Any U.S. manufacturer or exporter dealing with defense related products or services must register with the State Department to provide the federal government with information about who is involved with certain manufacture or export activities. Registration is a prerequisite to obtaining an export license.
Determining Your Company's Licensing Needs
Nailing down your company's licensing requirements is not easy because federal regulations are complex and subject to change. That's why an ITAR consultant can be invaluable to your success. Determining your licensing needs involves several steps, including gathering necessary information and documents, screening the relevant parties, and reviewing submissions for export licenses. ITAR licensing is complex and involves a significant time investment and very specific expertise. ITAR consultants can help your company with Department of Defense registration, licensing applications and ITAR related export documents.
Types of ITAR Licenses
The most common types of ITAR licenses include:
Temporary Export License (DSP-73)
Permanent Export License (DSP-5)
Temporary Import License (DSP-61)
Existing License Modification (DSP-119)
An ITAR consultant should have the qualifications and experience necessary to help your business obtain relevant licenses. A consultation with an ITAR expert should be able to analyze your company and help you determine your needs. Your consultant should also guide you through the process of ITAR licensing by helping you with applications, submitting documents on your behalf, and monitoring the process to make sure everything is going as planned.
The ITAR License Consultant and Your Business Success
If you export anything from the U.S., just hoping that your business is ITAR compliant is not enough. Non-compliance can mean hefty fines and disruption to your operations. Working with an ITAR expert can alert you to possible problem areas and help you develop plans for addressing them and can also help you with the export licensing process. Regulations and requirements change frequently, so what worked two years ago may not work today. It isn't easy to have a staff member with other obligations in charge of ensuring ITAR compliance because of the complexity of the regulations. Many successful companies determine that working with a consultant who is an expert on ITAR and export licensing is the best possible way to ensure compliance, obtain necessary licenses, and avoid the problems that arise from regulations violations.
