Postal Explorer > International Mail Manual - Issue 32 > 5 Nonpostal Export Regulations > 540 Munitions and Related Technical Data

540 Munitions and Related Technical Data

541 Licensing Requirements

541.1 Individual Licenses

541.11 Exporting Munitions

The exportation of certain munitions (arms or implements of war, parts or components thereof, and related technical data) requires an individual license issued by the Office of Munitions Control, Department of State. Munitions subject to license include the following:

a. Nonautomatic and semiautomatic rifles, carbines, revolvers, and pistols, regardless of caliber (except those of .50 caliber or less manufactured prior to 1898).

b. Shotguns with barrels less than 18 inches in length.

c. All machine guns, submachine guns, machine pistols, and fully automatic rifles.

541.12 Obtaining Information

The sender may obtain information as to the applicability of the State Department requirements and how to apply for an individual license from:

OFFICE OF DEFENSE TRADE CONTROL
ARMS LICENSING DIVISION
US DEPARTMENT OF STATE
PM/DTC SA-6 RM 200
WASHINGTON DC 20522-0602

541.2 Mail Exempt From Licensing

541.21 Technical Data

541.211 Types of Technical Data Exempt From Licensing

Technical data that have been published or are otherwise exempt from licensing under Title 22, Code of Federal Regulations, part 125, do not require a State Department license for exportation. The sender must mark the wrapper "22 CFR 125.11 . . . APPLICABLE," identifying the specific subsection under which the exemption is claimed.

541.212 Prohibited Exports Under This Exemption

Exports under this exemption may not be made for items destined to or originating in:

541.22 Government Shipments

Shipments mailed by any U.S. government agency do not require an individual license from the Department of State. The sender must mark the wrapper 22 CFR 125.10 APPLICABLE.

542 Mailing Under Individual Licenses

542.1 Marking by Sender

In making shipment under an individual license, the sender must mark the wrapper "STATE DEPARTMENT EXPORT LICENSE NO. ."
Enter the amount being shipped on the back of the license, if only a portion of the amount authorized is mailed.

542.2 Processing in Post Office Facilities

542.21 Examination of List of Contents

When a sender presents a State Department license, compare the description of the article indicated on the license with the description of the contents shown on the customs declaration (see 123), or stated orally by the sender in the case of technical data mailed as printed matter (see 541.21). If no discrepancy is noted, and the contents of the package are mailable and are not prohibited by the country of destination, accept the package for mailing.

542.22 Amount of Mailing Authorized by License

If the mailing represents the entire amount authorized by the license, retrieve the license from the sender, mark it Completed, apply a legible postmark, and forward it to:

OFFICE OF MUNITIONS CONTROL
US DEPARTMENT OF STATE
2201 C ST NW
WASHINGTON DC 20522-0602

If only a portion of the amount authorized is mailed, the sender must enter on the back of the license the amount being shipped and present it at the Post Office facility, where it will be postmarked and returned to the sender.