Ballistic armor products covered under defense regulations

Compiled by Juli Case

I’ve had an inquiry from a customer in another country about one of my ballistic armor products, but my fabric supplier tells me that it might fall under special restrictions because it’s a defense item. Where can I get more details?

The International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) authorizes the U.S. President to control the export and import of defense articles and defense services. This is accomplished through the Secretary of State via the Office of Defense Trade Controls. The ITAR regulations are contained within the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Parts 120–130. You can access it through www.pmddtc.state.gov/faqs/index.html and, as you’d expect, it is a dense document. Section 121 (United States Munitions List), Category X (Protective Personnel Equipment and Shelters) covers, among other products, body armor. To determine if your product falls under ITAR authority, you may request a Commodity Jurisdiction Request from the Office of Defense Trade Controls. Details on how to make that request are available at the site given above.

Juli Case is IFAI‘s information and technical services manager.