ITAR Registered

ITAR registration documents a company with DDTC as handling defense articles/technical data, enabling controlled work under strict export-control compliance.

Overview

ITAR Registered means a manufacturer is registered with the U.S. State Department (DDTC) under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations to handle defense articles and ITAR-controlled technical data. It’s an export-control status, not a quality certification, and it typically goes with controls for data access, visitor management, recordkeeping, and controlled shipping.

Choose an ITAR-registered supplier when your drawings, CAD, or end-use fall on the USML or are contractually marked ITAR, and you need confidence the shop can legally receive, store, and process the data and parts. Tradeoffs: fewer eligible suppliers, higher administrative overhead, and tighter rules on who can access data (including foreign persons) and where data can be stored (e.g., cloud/PLM constraints). ITAR registration alone doesn’t guarantee process capability—verify quality system, inspection plan, and any required special process approvals.

Common Materials

  • Aluminum 6061
  • Aluminum 7075
  • Stainless Steel 17-4 PH
  • Titanium Ti-6Al-4V
  • Inconel 718
  • Alloy Steel 4140

Tolerances

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Applications

  • Fire control housings
  • Guidance system brackets
  • Aerospace defense structural fittings
  • Optical/laser mount assemblies for defense programs
  • Munition fuze components
  • Secure communications enclosures

When to Choose ITAR Registered

Use ITAR-registered suppliers when your part, assembly, or technical data is ITAR-controlled (USML) or your customer contract requires ITAR handling. It’s most relevant for defense programs where access controls, controlled shipping, and compliant recordkeeping matter as much as machining capability.

vs ISO 9001 (Quality Management)

Choose ITAR Registered when export-control handling of defense technical data/parts is required, even if ISO 9001 is also present. ISO 9001 targets quality system consistency; it doesn’t establish legal eligibility to receive or process ITAR-controlled data.

vs AS9100 (Aerospace Quality)

Choose ITAR Registered when the work involves ITAR-controlled defense programs requiring DDTC registration and controlled data access. AS9100 strengthens aerospace quality and traceability, but it doesn’t by itself address export-control restrictions or legal authorization to handle ITAR data.

vs ISO 13485 (Medical Device Quality)

Choose ITAR Registered when compliance is driven by defense export controls rather than medical regulatory requirements. ISO 13485 focuses on medical device QMS and risk controls; it doesn’t cover ITAR data custody, access restrictions, or controlled exports.

vs DFARS Compliant

Choose ITAR Registered when the controlling requirement is USML/ITAR technical data and defense articles under State Department jurisdiction. DFARS compliance often targets DoD contracting clauses (including cybersecurity and sourcing rules) but may not satisfy ITAR registration and controlled handling expectations.

vs NADCAP (Special Process)

Choose ITAR Registered when the gating issue is legal handling of ITAR-controlled items/data across quoting, programming, inspection, and shipping. NADCAP qualifies specific special processes (e.g., heat treat, plating); it doesn’t ensure compliant access control or export authorization for ITAR data.

Design Considerations

  • Clearly mark the RFQ and drawings as ITAR-controlled and state the intended end-use/program to avoid quoting delays and misrouting
  • Specify who may access technical data (U.S. persons only, visitor restrictions) and require a documented data-handling plan if needed
  • Define how models/drawings can be transferred and stored (portal, encrypted email, cloud restrictions) before sending CAD
  • Call out packaging, labeling, and shipping requirements (domestic-only carriers, controlled destinations, record retention expectations)
  • List required flowdowns and subcontracting rules up front (no sub-tiers without approval, controlled processors only)
  • Include inspection/traceability expectations (material certs, lot control, serialization) since ITAR registration alone doesn’t define quality requirements