State Department Export License Requirements

  1. If you are shipping an item that can be considered a “defense article,” you will need to register with the U.S. Department of State’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC), and you might also need to apply for an export license from DDTC.
  2. These items might include firearms and other weapons, protective gear (e.g., body armor), detection hardware (e.g., night-vision goggles), and other military-use equipment and components.

    A list of defense articles that might require this license is available on the United States Munitions List at www.pmddtc.state.gov⁄regulations_laws⁄itar.html.

  3. For more information on how to apply for a DDTC export license, please see “Applying for a State Department Export License”.
  4. If you determine that a license generally is required, check to see if there is an exception for the item(s) in your shipment.
  5. Note: Hazardous materials, biological or radioactive materials, and inert or replica explosive devices are prohibited or significantly restricted in international mail, regardless of whether you have obtained an export license. Other items might be prohibited or restricted from mailing, depending on the destination country. For more information, please see the Postal Service regulations in the following USPS documents, all of which are available at http:⁄⁄pe.usps.com:

  6. If you are shipping an item that is considered a “defense article,” you must use services and forms as follows:

Note: The following service types are not available if you are sending “defense articles”: First-Class Package International Service, Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelope, and Priority Mail International Small Flat Rate Box.