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Approved DLMS Change 105

Identification of Items on United States Munitions List (USML) 

for U.S. Customs Clearance 

(Supply/MILSTRIP)

1. ORIGINATOR:

a. Service/Agency: Defense Logistics Agency

b. Originator: DOD MILSTRIP System Administrator: Ms. Vermella Saváge, DLA DLMSO/J6411, Defense Logistics Management Standards Office (DLMSO), 703-767-0674

(DSN 427), vermella.savage@dla.mil

c. DUSD Point of Contact: Mr. Adam Yearwood, ADUSD(Transportation Policy)

2. FUNCTIONAL AREA(S):

a. Primary: Supply 

b. Secondary: Transportation 

3. REFERENCE(S): 

 a. DLMSO memorandum dated March 26, 2003, subject: Proposed DLMS Change 93, 

Identification of Items on United States Munitions List (USML) for U.S. Customs Clearance 

(Supply/MILSTRIP)

 b. Supply Process Review Committee Meeting 03-1, Draft PDC 93, Identification of Items on the 

United States Munitions List

 c. DUSD (Logistics and Materiel Readiness) Policy memorandum, dated October 21, 2002, subject: 

Identification of United States Munitions List Items for U.S. Customs Clearance 

4. REQUESTED CHANGE:

a. Title: Identification of Items on United States Munitions List (USML) for U.S. Customs Clearance

b. Description of Change: This change requires clear-text identification on all DOD shipments of 

items shown on the USML to transportation/traffic management offices for the United States Customs 

Services as cited in 22CFR126.4 and 22CFR123.22. The requirements of the reference 3.c. policy 
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memo were effective 90 days from the memo issue date and stated that identification of USML items is

required when they are offered to transportation offices for movement. Also stated in part in referenced 

policy memorandum, “the USML includes militarily useful items that, by their nature, receive greater 

scrutiny to preclude their unlawful sale or transfer to foreign entities. They cover a range of articles

including repair parts for aircraft, missiles, or other weapon systems.” That “mission readiness often 

dictates that these items move via priority transportation.”

c. Procedures:

(1) Revise Acronyms to add two new acronyms as follows:

USML United States Munitions List

SED Shipper’s Export Declaration

(2) Revise Appendix AP3.48, Block 27 (DD Form 1348-1A (or DD Form 1348-2)), as follows:

BLOCK(S) ENTRIES

FOR OTHER THAN FMS SHIPMENTS

27 DTID or ERN – On issues from DRMO, enter DTID or ERN, if applicable.

USML Items – This block will contain clear-text information to identify 

shipments of United States Munitions List (USML) items which may require 

filing of export licenses and Shipper’s Export Declarations per 22CFR126.4 

and 22CFR123.22 as follows: 

“USML item—may need SED.”

FOR FMS SHIPMENTS16

27 This block may contain additional data including bar coding for internal use. Data 

entered in this block is as required by shipping activity by commodity. When data is 

entered in this block, it will be clearly identified.

USML Items – This block will contain clear-text information to identify 

shipments of United States Munitions List (USML) items which may require 

filing of export licenses and Shipper’s Export Declarations per 22CFR126.4 

and 22CFR123.22 as follows: 

“USML item—may need SED.”

d. Alternatives: 

5. REASON FOR CHANGE: To satisfy the need for supply and other activities requiring 

transportation of USML items to be able to clearly identify the item(s) to their supporting installation 

transportation/traffic management office. USML items are identified in the supply system by the 

demilitarizing (DEMIL) code assigned to them. Supply or other activities must ensure that documentation 

provided to the transportation/traffic management office indicates in clear text whether or not the shipment 
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is a USML item.

6. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES:

a. Advantages: To aid the U.S. Customs Service in their aggressive pursuit to enforce the 

provisions of 22 Code of Federal Regulations Part 126.4 which requires the identification of USML items 

on Government bills of lading and a Shipper’s Export Declaration certifying the shipment is for the 

exclusive end use of U.S. Military Forces.

b. Disadvantages: A waiver was obtained from the Office of Defense Trade Controls, U.S. 

Department of State, to continue using commercial documentation and streamlined electronic shipment 

procedures for the movement of DOD USML shipments until the implementation of an electronic interface 

between DOD transportation/shipper systems and U.S. Customs’ Automated Export System.

7. IMPACT:

a. Data Content/Procedures: DAAS, supply source, depot, and/or transportation interface 

requirements

b. Publication(s): DOD 4000.25-M (DLMS), DOD 4000.25-1-M (MILSTRIP), and Component 

implementing procedures for the entry instructions required in Block 27 on the DD Form 1348-1A (or DD 

Form 1348-2)

8. BACKGROUND: Although the DEMIL code approach is not perfect—it seems to be the best key 

for identifying shipments of USML items. Research shows that it is better to find omissions or errors in the 

DEMIL code when shipping overseas than not having the correct information when the item is overseas 

and being processed for disposal.

All items in the DLA inventory should have a DEMIL code. Procedures should be in place to remedy 

errors if an item has not been identified correctly. The DEMIL code is a required field in the cataloging 

record for items which have a DOD user (some NATO-exclusive items do not have a DEMIL code 

assigned). DEMIL Codes B, C, D, E, F, G, & P indicate those items which are on the USML and 

controlled for export by the Department of State. 

However, the Department of Commerce is also involved with exports. "Dual Use" items are identified and 

defined in 15 CFR 174, Export Administration Regulations. These commodities, depending on ultimate 

consignee and value, may require export licensing or approval. These items are assigned DEMIL code 

"Q".

To assist you in determining whether items (non-NSN) are controlled by either Department of Commerce 

or Department of State or if you are uncertain if the items are correctly coded, you may contact the 

Demilitarization Coding Management Office (DCMO) at DLIS. Inquiries can be made via their web 

address: http://www.dlis.dla.mil/demil/demil_coding.asp or by contacting Randy Haglund, Chief

 

Additional information and links to Department of State, Department of Commerce, and other 
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DEMIL/export control assets can be found at DOD DEMIL and Trade Security Control website:

http://demil.osd.mil/ .