DDTC Implements Policy Change on Exports of Certain ITAR-Controlled Items to Vietnam
During President Obama's trip to Vietnam today, the U.S. announced that it will fully lift the long-standing ban on the sale or transfer of lethal weapons to Vietnam that is currently contained in section 126.1(l) of the ITAR.
As a result, the State Department's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls today published the following notice on its website regarding the implementation of this policy changes:
Industry Notice: Change in Policy on Exports of Munitions to Vietnam (05.23.16)
Pursuant to a decision made by the Secretary of State and effective immediately, the Department of State's policy prohibiting the sale or transfer of lethal weapons to Vietnam, including restrictions on exports to and imports from Vietnam for arms and related materiel, has been terminated. Consequently, in accordance with the Arms Export Control Act, the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) will review on case-by-case basis applications for licenses to export or temporarily import defense articles and defense services to or from Vietnam under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). DDTC will soon publish a rule in the Federal Register to implement a conforming change to ITAR §126.1.DDTC maintains an unofficial list of country policies and embargoes on its website, which includes a disclaimer that the information is not complete and that the latest version of the ITAR should be reviewed to determine the current list of ITAR proscribed countries and other country-specific restrictions.