USA. 2012 ‘Export and Import Licensing.’ National Report of the United States of America on its Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA), p. 7. New York, NY: Permanent Mission of the United States to the United Nations. 3 August

Relevant contents

Section II, para 11: Export and Import Licensing

U.S. Laws and Policies Supportive of the UN POA

ATF has authority over the permanent importation of firearms to the U.S. With limited exceptions, firearms must be imported by an importer licensed by ATF and each importation must be authorized through an import permit. The AECA establishes procedures for both government-to-government and direct commercial sales of items included on the USML.

The DOS/DDTC is charged with controlling the export, temporary import, and brokering of defense articles and defense services covered by the USML (which includes SALW) and with taking final action on license applications for defense trade exports and matters related to defense trade compliance, enforcement and reporting. By law, all exporters and temporary importers must be registered; all exports and temporary imports of SALW must be authorized pursuant to implementing regulations administered by DDTC and all permanent imports by ATF.

U.S. Assistance and Programs Supportive of the UN POA

The DOS Bureau of International Security and Non-proliferation (ISN) provides export and border control assistance to over 60 countries under the Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) assistance program. Equipment and training delivered under the EXBS program enhance the ability of recipient countries to control the import, export, reexport, transit and trans-shipment of items of proliferation concern (including SALW) and interdict illicit trafficking in these items. ATF conducts an annual firearms importers workshop and conference in Washington to assist the industry in complying with its obligations.

ATF also provides information, legal and technical support at annual international firearms trade shows such as the Sport Hunting and Outdoor Trade show (SHOT) in the U.S. and the International Trade Fair for Hunting and Sporting Arms Accessories (IWA) in Germany. Through the Commerce Department, ATF is active in harmonized import licensing and procedures relating to SALW germane to international trade agreements established by the World Trade Organization (WTO). ATF, as necessary, conducts small arms trafficking assessments in countries, which includes a review of the country's import, export and in-transit requirements, providing recommendations for improvement, as necessary, for accurate tracking and accounting of SALW.

U.S. Global/Regional Activity Supportive of the UN POA

In 2010, under the auspices of the Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI), ATF conducted small arms trafficking assessments in 6 of the 7 Central American countries, reviewing import, export and intransit requirements in those countries and providing recommendations for improvement and better business practices in those areas in conformance with current international agreements such as CIFTA.

[AECA = Arms Export Control Act; ATF = Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; CIFTA = Inter-American Convention Against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, and Other Related Materials; DOS/DDTC: Department of State, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls; SALW = Small Arms and Light Weapons; USML = United States Munition List]

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