International Traffic in Arms Regulation
The U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations ("ITAR"), administered by the Department of State, regulates the export of "defense items," also known as "munitions," or, in other words, items determined to have inherent military properties. The ITAR also regulates information (or "technical data") and assistance (such as training), called "technical services," relating to the controlled items. An item originally identified as having a military purpose may continue to be identified as a "defense article" even after any defense function has lapsed. For example, certain sophisticated equipment (such as infra-red night-vision goggles used for basic research) are covered by State Department export controls as "defense articles," even if they have no military purpose for an institution and can be readily purchased both here and overseas.