**GAO-07-1103**                      Published: Sep 19, 2007. Publicly Released: Oct 19, 2007.                  

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## Highlights

Defense (DOD) activities, U.S. defense companies may export defense items. The Department of State (State) controls such exports through its International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), which provides for some exemptions from export licensing requirements. For a limited number of these exemptions, DOD may confirm--or certify--that the export activity qualifies for the use of an ITAR exemption. As part of an initiative, DOD is to make more effective use of ITAR exemptions, but little is known about the extent to which this is done. This report (1) describes DOD's approach for certifying exporters' exemption use in support of defense activities, (2) summarizes the use of selected DOD-certified exemptions, and (3) examines State and DOD's oversight of exemption use. GAO's findings are based on its review of export control law, regulation, and DOD guidelines; interviews with State, DOD, and defense industry officials; and a GAO-developed database of DOD certification letters.

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## Topics

National Defense

Data integrityDefense industryDepartment of Defense contractorsExport regulationExportingFederal regulationsInternational relationsInternational tradeInternational trade regulationInternational trade restrictionRecords managementReporting requirementsRestrictive trade practices