State Department Issues Proposed Rule to Require Electronic Submission of ITAR Registration Fees, Seeks Comments

February 25, 2011

On Thursday, February 24, 2011 the Department of State issued a proposed rule to amend the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) by changing the method of payment to electronic submission of registration fees. Currently, registration fees are submitted by check or money order and processed manually. Annual registration with the State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) is required for persons who manufacture or export defense articles or participate in brokering activities involving the manufacture, export, import or transfer of defense articles. The Department of State is proposing revising ITAR to provide for electronic payment as the sole means of submitting registration fees. The proposed rule also adds definitions for “Foreign Ownership” and “Foreign Control.”

The Department of State will accept comments on the proposed changes to ITAR until April 25, 2011.

For further information or assistance submitting a comment, contact a Barnes/Richardson attorney.