Which document is necessary for exporting defense articles or services?

The requirement for an export license is essential when exporting defense articles or services because it serves as the formal authorization issued by the government, specifically the Department of State or the Department of Commerce, depending on the nature of the items being exported. This license ensures that the export complies with U.S. laws and regulations, including the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).

An export license establishes that the exporting entity has gone through the necessary review and approval process to ensure that the defense articles or services will not be used in a manner that could compromise U.S. national security or foreign policy objectives. The significance of the export license extends to various checks on the intended end-user, the purpose of the export, and the destination country.

In contrast, while documents such as an End-User Certificate and a Foreign Military Sales Agreement may be involved in the process, they do not replace the need for an export license. An End-User Certificate verifies the end-user of the exported goods but does not provide the legal authority for the export itself. A Foreign Military Sales Agreement outlines the terms and conditions under which the U.S. government agrees to sell defense articles to a foreign government, but again it does not substitute