Seventeen Individuals Barred by U.S. Department of State for Arms Export Control Act Violations

State Department Debars 17 Individuals in Arms Export Control Enforcement

Washington D.C. – On August 19, 2025, the U.S.Department of State formally announced the statutory debarment of 17 persons following convictions related to violations of the Arms Export Control Act. This decisive action underscores the Department’s unwavering commitment to maintaining the integrity of U.S.defense trade practices and preventing illicit arms dealing.

What Does Statutory Debarment Mean?

Statutory debarment, enacted under section 127.7(b) of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), effectively prohibits these individuals from engaging in any activity regulated by the ITAR. This encompasses a broad range of actions, including arms brokering, exporting, and temporarily importing defense articles, technical data, and related services from or within the United States.

The Department of Justice, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Federal Bureau of Inquiry collaborated with the Office of Defense Trade Controls compliance within the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs to identify these individuals based on criminal convictions secured in U.S. courts.

Enforcement and Compliance

According to officials, the debarment remains in effect until the Department of State formally approves a reinstatement request from each individual. All parties involved in ITAR-regulated activities are urged to exercise heightened vigilance and ensure strict compliance with all export control regulations, meticulously verifying that their operations do not involve any debarred persons.

Did You Know? The Arms Export Control act, first enacted in 1976, aims to regulate the export of defense articles and services to promote global security and prevent the proliferation of dangerous weapons.

The full notice of statutory debarment, detailing the names of those affected, was published in the Federal Register. A thorough list of all statutorily debarred individuals is also accessible on the directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) website: Statutory Debarment List.

Contact information

Those seeking further information are encouraged to contact the Office of the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and international Security’s Outreach team at [email protected].

Pro Tip: Regularly check the DDTC’s statutory Debarment List to ensure compliance and mitigate potential risks in international trade activities.

Regulation	Governing Body	Key Provisions
Arms Export Control Act	U.S. Department of State	Regulates the export of defense articles and services.
International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)	U.S.Department of State	Implements the Arms Export Control Act.
Statutory Debarment	U.S. Department of State	Prohibits individuals convicted of violations from participating in ITAR-regulated activities.

What impact will this debarment have on the broader defense industry?

How can companies proactively ensure they are not unknowingly doing business with debarred individuals?

Understanding Export Control Regulations

The enforcement of export control regulations, such as the arms Export Control Act and ITAR, is a critical component of U.S. national security. These regulations aim to prevent sensitive technologies and defense articles from falling into the wrong hands,safeguarding both U.S. interests and global stability.

Compliance with these regulations is not just a legal obligation; it’s a duty for any entity involved in international trade. Failure to comply can result in severe penalties, including significant fines, imprisonment, and-as demonstrated by this recent action-statutory debarment.

Frequently Asked questions about Statutory Debarment

1. What is statutory debarment? Statutory debarment is a prohibition against participating in activities regulated by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) following a criminal conviction.
2. Who determines statutory debarment? The U.S. Department of State, in collaboration with the department of Justice and other agencies, determines statutory debarment.
3. How long does statutory debarment last? The debarment remains in effect until the department of State approves a reinstatement request.
4. What activities are prohibited by statutory debarment? Debarment prohibits any involvement in brokering, exporting, or importing defense articles and services regulated by ITAR.
5. Where can I find a list of statutorily debarred individuals? A comprehensive list is available on the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) website.
6. Why is compliance with ITAR critically important? Compliance with ITAR is essential to national security,preventing the proliferation of dangerous weapons.
7. What should I do if I suspect someone is violating export control regulations? Contact the Department of State’s Outreach team or relevant law enforcement authorities.

Share this article with your network to raise awareness about the importance of complying with arms export control regulations. Comment below with your thoughts on this important enforcement action!

What are the key components of a robust export compliance program?

The U.S. Department of State recently announced the barring of seventeen individuals from participating in any U.S. export activity, a important enforcement action under the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) adn the international Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). These restrictions stem from violations related to the export of defense articles and services, impacting national security and foreign policy interests. This article details the specifics of these actions, the implications for those involved, and the broader context of arms export control compliance.

Understanding the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) & ITAR

The AECA provides the legal framework for regulating the export of defense articles and services. The ITAR, implemented by the Department of State’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC), details the specific regulations governing these exports. Violations can range from unlicensed exports to providing false data on export licenses.

Key aspects of the AECA and ITAR include:

Licensing Requirements: Most defense articles and services require a license from the DDTC before they can be exported.

prohibited End-Users: Certain individuals, entities, and countries are prohibited from receiving defense articles.

Recordkeeping & Reporting: Exporters are required to maintain detailed records and submit reports to the DDTC.

Penalties for Violations: Penalties can include fines, imprisonment, and debarment from future export activities.

The recent Debarment: Who is Affected?

On[DateofAnnouncement-[DateofAnnouncement-research and insert actual date], the Department of State announced the debarment of seventeen individuals. While the specific details of each case vary, the violations generally fall into these categories:

Unlicensed Exports: Shipping defense articles to restricted countries without obtaining the necessary licenses.

False Statements: Providing inaccurate or misleading information on export license applications.

Diversion of Exports: Redirecting defense articles to unauthorized end-users or destinations.

ITAR Violations: Non-compliance with specific regulations outlined in the International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

The individuals debarred represent a range of roles within the defense industry, including:

Engineers: Involved in the design and progress of defense technologies.

Sales Representatives: Responsible for marketing and selling defense articles.

Shipping Personnel: Handling the logistics of exporting defense items.

Company Executives: Holding leadership positions within exporting companies.

Note: The Department of State typically does not release the names of all debarred individuals publicly. Information is often limited to those involved in significant violations.

Implications of Debarment

Debarment under the AECA and ITAR carries severe consequences. These individuals are now prohibited from:

Participating in U.S. Exports: They cannot directly or indirectly participate in any activity related to the export of defense articles or services from the United States.

Receiving Licenses: They are ineligible to recieve licenses or approvals from the DDTC.

Professional Impact: Debarment can effectively end a career in the defense industry.

Reputational Damage: The debarment creates a significant negative mark on their professional record.

Real-World Examples & Case Studies

While specific details of the recent debarments are frequently enough confidential, past cases illustrate the severity of ITAR violations and their consequences.

2015 – Lockheed Martin Case: Lockheed Martin settled a case with the State Department for $13 million related to ITAR violations involving the unauthorized export of technical data. This highlights the importance of robust internal compliance programs.

2019 – Cobham Technical Services Case: Cobham Technical Services was penalized for exporting defense articles to China without the required licenses, demonstrating the risks associated with failing to properly classify items for export.

Ongoing Enforcement: The DDTC consistently pursues enforcement actions against individuals and companies violating export control regulations, signaling a continued commitment to safeguarding national security.

Benefits of Strong Export Compliance Programs

For companies involved in the defense industry, a robust export compliance program is not merely a legal requirement, but a strategic advantage. Benefits include:

Reduced Risk of Penalties: Proactive compliance minimizes the risk of fines, imprisonment, and debarment.

Enhanced reputation: Demonstrating a commitment to compliance builds trust with government agencies and international partners.

Improved Operational Efficiency: Streamlined compliance processes can improve efficiency and reduce administrative burdens.

Competitive Advantage: A strong compliance record can differentiate a company from its competitors.

Practical Tips for Maintaining ITAR Compliance

Companies can take several steps to ensure ongoing compliance with the ITAR:

1. Conduct Regular Training: Provide complete training to all employees involved in export activities.
2. Implement a Robust Classification System: Accurately classify all defense articles and services.
3. Screen End-Users & Destinations: Thoroughly screen all potential customers and destinations against restricted party lists.
4. maintain Detailed records: Keep accurate and complete records of all export transactions.
5. *Conduct Internal