Defense Trade

Our focus in this area began in 2003, when the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) was created and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) increased in scope to protect national security and support foreign policy goals. The ITAR implements the authority of the Arms Export Control Act via the U.S. Department of State to control defense trade exports of items and services. As individual offices of licensing, compliance, management and policy were formed and oversight of defense trade intensified, we wanted to ensure that we had the knowledge and tools to help clients who were exporting United States Munitions List (USML) items remain in strict compliance.

From military jet engines to small aircraft parts and other USML items, TradeLink now works with leading defense trade technology and aerospace clients to help them achieve 100% compliance. When we manage tracking and reconciliation of DSP-73, 61 and other license activity together with shipping logistics, it means that our clients are focused on successfully bringing their defense solutions to market.

As a DDTC Registrant, we are experienced in the completion and submission of DSP-73 and DSP-61 license applications to the State Department’s electronic defense export licensing system. The DDTC license processing times currently average between 18 – 20 days from the date the case was signed by the applicant until the date of final action. TradeLink can advise you on your license submissions or complete the applications for your organization.

For most clients, TradeLink holds the original licenses for our clients and notifies all parties concerned – license owners, foreign intermediate consignees (agents) and foreign consignees (typically end-users) of their responsibilities during the license term. We are in constant communication with the foreign consignee to determine the return date of each item shipped to them to ensure that there are no license “escapes” and that compliance is maintained.

We manage the presentation of the original license to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for endorsement upon each exit from and entry to the U.S., and provide Customs with an endorsement guide that gives them the specific details they need to sign off. When the license meets the criteria to be returned to the State Department and closed, TradeLink ensures that all license items – exports and imports – are reconciled and accurate.

TradeLink manages all exports and imports under DSP licenses using “TLS-73” and “TLS-61” proprietary software. Our software was developed to comply with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations for licensing and shipment of USML items. We successfully use it to manage our clients’ complex transactions, from initial license application, to activity tracking over the four-year license term through the final reconciliation of items and return of the license to the State Department.

The TLS programs include search tools to quickly locate information in licenses and amendments, export or import item details, serial and part numbers, complete export or import records and invoices, and client, consignee and agent contact information.

Cross-reference capabilities in TLS-73 allow us to link related licenses, such as renewals or replacements, and items that will return to the U.S. under a renewal license are advanced to the new license. And, if an original item is replaced overseas and the replacement is returned to the U.S., the replacement serial number is recorded in TLS-73 and linked to the original serial number shipped to the overseas client/vendor.

DSP-5 export licenses,
DSP-23 temporary import bonds,
DSP-61 temporary import licenses,
DSP-73 temporary export licenses, and
DSP-123.4 temporary license import exemptions.

Other features include automatic emails sent to foreign license owners requesting item return status; automatic documents, such as import and export endorsement forms for Customs’ guidance; consignee instruction letters; and management reports that are available on demand, including a DSP-73 license detail report that provides a complete history of license transactions.

Our customs brokerage and freight forwarding for the export and return of controlled items, knowledge of the ITAR, and license management knowledge and software combine to make TradeLink a uniquely qualified full-service provider for defense trade.

For information about our defense trade capabilities, please call us  at 339-600-7330 or email: dgoodwin@tradelinksystems.com.