Incorporated
Policy changes from this SAMM E-Change memo have been incorporated into the SAMM.
This memo references DSCA 24-47.
DEFENSE SECURITY COOPERATION AGENCY
2800 DEFENSE PENTAGON
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20301-2800
7/31/2025
MEMORANDUM FOR :
DEPUTY UNDER SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE FOR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE ARMY FOR DEFENSE EXPORTS AND COOPERATION
DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE NAVY FOR INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
DIRECTOR, DEFENSE CONTRACT MANAGEMENT AGENCY
DIRECTOR, DEFENSE INFORMATION SYSTEMS AGENCY
DIRECTOR, DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
DIRECTOR, DEFENSE THREAT REDUCTION AGENCY
DIRECTOR, MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY
DIRECTOR, NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL-INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
DIRECTOR, SECURITY COOPERATION ACCOUNTING DIRECTORATE, DEFENSE FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING SERVICE, INDIANAPOLIS OPERATIONS
DIRECTOR OF CYBERSECURITY DIRECTORATE AND DEPUTY NATIONAL MANAGER FOR NATIONAL SECURITY SYSTEMS, NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY
SUBJECT :
Defense Security Cooperation Agency Policy Memorandum 25-58, International Traffic in Arms Regulations Category for Defense Articles Not Enumerated in the U.S. Munitions List [SAMM E-Change 762]
REFERENCE :
- DSCA Policy Memorandum 24-47, "Guidance for Processing Letter of Offer and Acceptance Documents to Cease Use of United States Munitions List Category XXI in the Automated Export System"
This memorandum incorporates guidance from the referenced policy memorandum on the use of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) U.S. Munitions List (USML) category code 55 in Military Articles and Services List (MASL) data and the Automated Export System (AES). While items that are to be exported under Foreign Military (FMS) authority are deemed "defense articles" pursuant to section 47 of the AECA (22 U.S.C. 2794), those items that are not enumerated in the USML must be properly coded for export in the AES. Therefore, to provide a valid means of exporting items that are not enumerated in the USML but are exported through a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA), Department of State's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) implemented category code 55 to use for such items when identifying their USML Category within the AES.
For such items not enumerated in the USML, DSCA and the Implementing Agencies (IAs) will review MASLs and update them to USML category 55 as appropriate. As needed, IAs may use the MASL mass input process reflected in the DSCA MASL Handbook. A stand-alone Modification or Amendment is not required to replace MASLs with category code 55 updates on existing LOA documents. This MASL change will be identified on the next required Amendment or Modification. If a new MASL is required to be created as a result of category code 55, this new MASL can replace an existing MASL on a Modification as long as the scope of the defense article does not change. This memorandum supersedes the reference.
The policy in the attachment is incorporated into the DSCA Security Assistance Management Manual (SAMM) at https://samm.dsca.mil. If you have questions on this memorandum, please contact DSCA (Office of Strategy, Plans, and Policy, Execution Policy and Analysis Directorate (SPP/EPA)) at dsca.ncr.spp.mbx.epa@mail.mil.
Hussam Bader
Acting Assistant Director
Strategy, Plans, and Policy
ATTACHMENT :
SAMM E-Change 762 - International Traffic in Arms Regulations Category for Defense Articles Not Enumerated in the U.S. Munitions List
Security Assistance Management Manual E-Change 762
International Traffic in Arms Regulations Category for Defense Articles Not Enumerated in the U.S. Munitions List
Update SAMM Figure C5.F5. "Letter of Offer and Acceptance Information," paragraph 1 through paragraph 2(b) to:
1. GENERAL. This provides basic information pertaining to the Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) for U.S. and Purchaser use. Additional information is found may be obtained from throughout the Security Assistance Management Manual, DSCA 5105.38-M, the in-country Security Cooperation Organization (SCO), the DSCA (Integrated Regional Teams (IRT) Office of International Operations, Regional Execution Directorate, Country Portfolio Director (CPD)), or from the Implementing Agency (IA).
2. INFORMATION ENTERED BY THE USG.
a. Terms of Sale, and Purchaser responsibilities under those Terms, are described on the LOA. A list of all Terms of Sale, with explanations for each, is shown in DSCA 5105.38-M Section C9.8.
b. Description/Condition. The item description consists of coding for use in U.S. management of the LOA (starting with Generic/MASL and codes, loaded automatically based on the MASL, that identify whether the line item is Significant Military Equipment (SME)/Major Defense Equipment (MDE), controlled under the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), subject to special End Use Monitoring (EUM), and controlled under an identified Category of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) U.S. Munitions List (USML). The Military Articles and Services List (MASL) on each LOA line consists of codes used in the USG's management of the LOA. The codes are loaded automatically on the LOA based on the MASL selected. Codes used are listed below:
Significant Military Equipment (SME)/Major Defense Equipment (MDE)
Y
MDE
S
SME that is not MDE
N
Non-SME
Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)
M
Contains MTCR-controlled components
N
Contains no MTCR-controlled components
End Use Monitoring (EUM)
R
Routine
E
Enhanced
International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) U.S. Munitions List (USML) Category
USML
Description
I
Firearms and Related Articles
II
Guns and Armament
III
Ammunition and Ordnance
IV
Launch Vehicles, Guided Missiles, Ballistic Missiles, Rockets, Torpedoes, Bombs, and Mines
V
Explosives and Energetic Materials, Propellants, Incendiary Agents, and Their Constituents
VI
Surface Vessels of War and Special Naval Equipment
VII
Ground Vehicles
VIII
Aircraft and Related Articles
IX
Military Training Equipment and Training
X
Personal Protective Equipment
XI
Military Electronics
XII
Fire Control, Laser, Imaging, and Guidance Equipment
XIII
Materials and Miscellaneous Articles
XIV
Toxicological Agents, Including Chemical Agents, Biological Agents, and Associated Equipment
XV
Spacecraft and Related Articles
XVI
Nuclear Weapons Related Articles
XVII
Classified Articles, Technical Data, and Defense Services Not Otherwise Enumerated
XVIII
Directed Energy Weapons
XIX
Gas Turbine Engines and Associated Equipment
XX
Submersible Vessels and Related Articles
XXI
Articles, Technical Data, and Defense Services Not Otherwise Enumerated (Articles confirmed as USML Category XXI also require an accompanying Department of State's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls Determination Number, as required by State (PM/DDTC)).
55
For use only when defense articles exported through a Letter of Offer and Acceptance are not controlled by the ITAR and therefore not listed within any USML category.
This is followed by a short description of what is to be provided. Unless otherwise noted in the LOA, all items listed are in Condition Code A, Serviceable-Issuable without Qualification, or B, Serviceable-Issuable with Qualification, and are new, used, repaired, or reconditioned material which is serviceable and issuable for its intended purpose. In some instances, reference to a note in the Terms and Conditions may complement or replace these codes.
2. Update SAMM Figure C5.F23. "MASL Form and Instruction Sheet," "Instructions for Preparing the MASL Request Form," row "International Traffic in Arms (ITAR)":
Current:
Field
Description
International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)
This section is for the United States Munitions List (USML) International Traffic in Arms Regulation ITAR Part 121 classification designator category code. Use the dropdown menu to select the ITAR classification designator category code. If unsure of the category your article falls under, the designator Category code descriptions can be found on the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls website at the Department of State Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR) or in the MASL Handbook.
Implementing Agencies (IAs) will first consult original equipment manufacturer data, then Defense Technology Security Administration (DTSA) guidance, and finally Department of State's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (State (PM/DDTC)) guidance to determine the correct ITAR USML category code.
Category code 55 will be used for defense articles exported on a LOA that are not ITAR-controlled and therefore not enumerated in the USML. See Table C7.T8. on "Individual Shipment-Level Requirements for Export," which outlines documentation and reporting requirements.