SUBCHAPTER VII—CONTROL OF MISSILES AND MISSILE EQUIPMENT OR TECHNOLOGY
§2797. Licensing
(a) Establishment of list of controlled items
The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the heads of other appropriate departments and agencies, shall establish and maintain, as part of the United States Munitions List, a list of all items on the MTCR Annex the export of which is not controlled under section 4605(l) 1 of title 50.
(b) Referral of license applications
(1) A determination of the Secretary of State to approve a license for the export of an item on the list established under subsection (a) may be made only after the license application is referred to the Secretary of Defense.
(2) Within 10 days after a license is issued for the export of an item on the list established under subsection (a), the Secretary of State shall provide to the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Commerce the license application and accompanying documents issued to the applicant, to the extent that the relevant Secretary indicates the need to receive such application and documents.
(c) Information sharing
The Secretary of State shall establish a procedure for sharing information with appropriate officials of the intelligence community, as determined by the Director of Central Intelligence, and with other appropriate Government agencies, that will ensure effective monitoring of transfers of MTCR equipment or technology and other missile technology.
(d) Exports to space launch vehicle programs
Within 15 days after the issuance of a license (including any brokering license) for the export of items valued at less than $50,000,000 that are controlled under this chapter pursuant to United States obligations under the Missile Technology Control Regime and are goods or services that are intended to support the design, utilization, development, or production of a space launch vehicle system listed in Category I of the MTCR Annex, the Secretary shall transmit to the Congress a report describing the licensed export and rationale for approving such export, including the consistency of such export with United States missile nonproliferation policy. The requirement contained in the preceding sentence shall not apply to licenses for exports to countries that were members of the MTCR as of April 17, 1987.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (d), was in the original "this Act", meaning
Amendments
2000—Subsec. (d).
1998—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (c).
1994—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Change of Name
Reference to the Director of Central Intelligence or the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency in the Director's capacity as the head of the intelligence community deemed to be a reference to the Director of National Intelligence. Reference to the Director of Central Intelligence or the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency in the Director's capacity as the head of the Central Intelligence Agency deemed to be a reference to the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. See section 1081(a), (b) of
Effective Date of 1998 Amendment
Amendment by
Policy and Sense of Congress on Nonproliferation of Ballistic Missiles
"(a)
"(1) Certain countries are seeking to acquire ballistic missiles and related technologies that could be used to attack the United States or place at risk United States interests, deployed members of the Armed Forces, and allies of the United States and other friendly foreign countries.
"(2) Certain countries continue to actively transfer or sell ballistic missile technologies in contravention of standards of behavior established by the United States and allies of the United States and other friendly foreign countries.
"(3) The spread of ballistic missiles and related technologies worldwide has been slowed by a combination of national and international export controls, forward-looking diplomacy, and multilateral interdiction activities to restrict the development and transfer of such missiles and technologies.
"(b)
"(c)
"(1) the United States should vigorously pursue foreign policy initiatives aimed at eliminating, reducing, or retarding the proliferation of ballistic missiles and related technologies; and
"(2) the United States and the international community should continue to support and strengthen established international accords and other cooperative efforts, including United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 (April 28, 2004) and the Missile Technology Control Regime, that are designed to eliminate, reduce, or retard the proliferation of ballistic missiles and related technologies."
MTCR Report Transmittals
Report on Missile Proliferation
Executive Documents
Delegation of Functions
Memorandum of President of the United States, June 25, 1991, 56 F.R. 31041, which provided for delegation of certain functions of the President, was superseded by Ex. Ord. No. 12851, §7, June 11, 1993, 58 F.R. 33181, set out below.
Ex. Ord. No. 12851. Administration of Proliferation Sanctions, Middle East Arms Control, and Related Congressional Reporting Responsibilities
Ex. Ord. No. 12851, June 11, 1993, 58 F.R. 33181, as amended by Ex. Ord. No. 13883, §3, Aug. 1, 2019, 84 F.R. 38113, provided:
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including
(1) The authority and duties vested in me to deny certain United States Government contracts, as provided in section 81(c)(1)(A) of the AECA and section 11C(c)(1)(A) of the EAA, pursuant to a determination made by the Secretary of State under section 81(a)(1) of the AECA or section 11C(a)(1) of the EAA, as well as the authority and duties vested in me to make the determinations provided for in section 81(c)(2) of the AECA and section 11C(c)(2) of the EAA are delegated to the Secretary of Defense. The Secretary of Defense shall notify the Secretary of the Treasury of determinations made pursuant to section 81(c)(2) of the AECA and section 11(c)(2) [11C(c)(2)] of the EAA.
(2) The authority and duties vested in me to prohibit certain imports as provided in section 81(c)(1)(B) of the AECA and section 11C(c)(1)(B) of the EAA, pursuant to a determination made by the Secretary of State under section 81(a)(1) of the AECA or section 11C(a)(1) of the EAA, and the obligation to implement the exceptions provided in section 81(c)(2) of the AECA and section 11C(c)(2) of the EAA, insofar as the exceptions affect imports of goods into the United States, are delegated to the Secretary of the Treasury.
(b) Chemical and Biological Weapons Use. The authority and duties vested in me by sections 306–308 of the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act of 1991 (
(1) The authority and duties vested in me to restrict certain imports as provided in section 307(b)(2)(D) [
(2) The Secretary of State shall issue, transmit to the Congress, and notify the Secretary of the Treasury of, as appropriate, waivers based upon findings made pursuant to section 307(d)(1)(A)(ii).
(3) The authority and duties vested in me to prohibit certain exports as provided in section 307(a)(5) and section 307(b)(2)(C), pursuant to a determination made by the Secretary of State under section 306(a)(1) and section 307(b)(1), are delegated to the Secretary of Commerce.
(4) The authorities and duties vested in me to oppose certain multilateral development bank assistance and to prohibit certain bank loans as provided in section 307(b)(2)(A)–(B), pursuant to a determination made by the Secretary of State under section 307(b)(1), are delegated to the Secretary of the Treasury.
(c) Coordination Among Agencies. The Secretaries designated in this section shall exercise all functions delegated to them by this section in consultation with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, the Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, and other departments and agencies as appropriate, utilizing the appropriate interagency groups prior to any determination to exercise the prohibition authority delegated hereby.
(1) The authority and duties vested in me by section 72(a)(1) to make determinations with respect to violations by United States persons of the EAA [
(2) The authority and duties vested in me to deny certain United States Government contracts as provided in sections 73(a)(2)(A)(i) and 73(a)(2)(B)(i), pursuant to a determination made by the Secretary of State under section 73(a)(1), as well as the authority and duties vested in me to make the findings provided in sections 72(c), 73(f), and 73(g)(1), are delegated to the Secretary of Defense. The Secretary of State shall issue, transmit to the Congress, and notify the Secretary of the Treasury of, as appropriate, any waivers based upon findings made pursuant to sections 72(c) and 73(f).
(3) The authority and duties vested in me to prohibit certain imports as provided in section 73(a)(2)(C), pursuant to a determination made by the Secretary of State under that section, and the obligation to implement the exceptions provided in section 73(g), are delegated to the Secretary of the Treasury.
(b) Export Administration Act. The authority and duties vested in me by section 11B of the EAA (
(1) The authority and duties vested in me by sections 11B(a)(1)(A) (insofar as such section authorizes determinations with respect to violations by United States persons of the AECA [
(2) The authority and duties vested in me to make the findings provided in sections 11B(a)(3), 11B(b)(6), and 11B(b)(7)(A) are delegated to the Secretary of Defense. The Secretary of Commerce shall issue, transmit to the Congress, and notify the Secretary of the Treasury of, as appropriate, waivers based upon findings made pursuant to section 11B(a)(3). The Secretary of State shall issue, transmit to the Congress, and notify the Secretary of the Treasury of, as appropriate, waivers based upon findings made pursuant to section 11B(b)(6).
(3) The authority and duties vested in me to prohibit certain imports as provided in section 11B(b)(1), pursuant to a determination by the Secretary of State under that section, and the obligation to implement the exceptions provided in section 11B(b)(7), are delegated to the Secretary of the Treasury.
(c) Reporting Requirements. The authority and duties vested in me to make certain reports to the Congress as provided in section 1097 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1992 and 1993 [former
(d) Coordination Among Agencies. The Secretaries designated in this section shall exercise all functions delegated to them by this section in consultation with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, the Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, and other departments and agencies as appropriate, utilizing the appropriate interagency groups prior to any determination to exercise prohibition authority delegated hereby.
[For abolition, transfer of functions, and treatment of references to United States Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, see
1 See References in Text note below.
§2797a. Denial of transfer of missile equipment or technology by United States persons
(a) Sanctions
(1) If the President determines that a United States person knowingly—
(A) exports, transfers, or otherwise engages in the trade of any item on the MTCR Annex, in violation of the provisions of
(B) conspires to or attempts to engage in such export, transfer, or trade, or
(C) facilitates such export, transfer, or trade by any other person,
then the President shall impose the applicable sanctions described in paragraph (2).
(2) The sanctions which apply to a United States person under paragraph (1) are the following:
(A) If the item on the MTCR Annex involved in the export, transfer, or trade is missile equipment or technology within category II of the MTCR Annex, then the President shall deny to such United States person for a period of 2 years—
(i) United States Government contracts relating to missile equipment or technology; and
(ii) licenses for the transfer of missile equipment or technology controlled under this chapter.
(B) If the item on the MTCR Annex involved in the export, transfer, or trade is missile equipment or technology within category I of the MTCR, then the President shall deny to such United States person for a period of not less than 2 years—
(i) all United States Government contracts, and
(ii) all export licenses and agreements for items on the United States Munitions List.
(b) Discretionary sanctions
In the case of any determination made pursuant to subsection (a), the President may pursue any penalty provided in
(c) Presumption
In determining whether to apply sanctions under subsection (a) to a United States person involved in the export, transfer, or trade of an item on the MTCR Annex, it should be a rebuttable presumption that such item is designed for use in a missile listed in the MTCR Annex if the President determines that the final destination of the item is a country the government of which the Secretary of State has determined, for purposes of 2 4605(j)(1)(A) 1 of title 50, has repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism.
(d) Waiver
The President may waive the imposition of sanctions under subsection (a) with respect to a product or service if the President certifies to the Congress that—
(1) the product or service is essential to the national security of the United States; and
(2) such person is a sole source supplier of the product or service, the product or service is not available from any alternative reliable supplier, and the need for the product or service cannot be met in a timely manner by improved manufacturing processes or technological developments.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(A)(ii), was in the original "this Act", meaning
Amendments
1994—Subsecs. (c), (d).
Executive Documents
Delegation of Functions
For delegation of certain functions of the President under this section, see Ex. Ord. No. 12851, §2(a), June 11, 1993, 58 F.R. 33181, set out as a note under
1 See References in Text note below.
2 So in original. Probably should be followed by "section".
§2797b. Transfers of missile equipment or technology by foreign persons
(a) Sanctions
(1) Subject to subsections (c) through (g),1 if the President determines that a foreign person, after November 5, 1990, knowingly—
(A) exports, transfers, or otherwise engages in the trade of any MTCR equipment or technology that contributes to the acquisition, design, development, or production of missiles in a country that is not an MTCR adherent and would be, if it were United States-origin equipment or technology, subject to the jurisdiction of the United States under this chapter,
(B) conspires to or attempts to engage in such export, transfer, or trade, or
(C) facilitates such export, transfer, or trade by any other person,
or if the President has made a determination with respect to a foreign person under
(2) The sanctions which apply to a foreign person under paragraph (1) are the following:
(A) If the item involved in the export, transfer, or trade is within category II of the MTCR Annex, then the President shall deny, for a period of 2 years—
(i) United States Government contracts relating to missile equipment or technology; and
(ii) licenses for the transfer to such foreign person of missile equipment or technology controlled under this chapter.
(B) If the item involved in the export, transfer, or trade is within category I of the MTCR Annex, then the President shall deny, for a period of not less than 2 years—
(i) all United States Government contracts with such foreign person; and
(ii) licenses for the transfer to such foreign person of all items on the United States Munitions List.
(C) If, in addition to actions taken under subparagraphs (A) and (B), the President determines that the export, transfer, or trade has substantially contributed to the design, development, or production of missiles in a country that is not an MTCR adherent, then the President shall prohibit, for a period of not less than 2 years, the importation into the United States of products produced by that foreign person.
(b) Inapplicability with respect to MTCR adherents
(1) In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), subsection (a) does not apply with respect to—
(A) any export, transfer, or trading activity that is authorized by the laws of an MTCR adherent, if such authorization is not obtained by misrepresentation or fraud; or
(B) any export, transfer, or trade of an item to an end user in a country that is an MTCR adherent.
(2) Limitation
Notwithstanding paragraph (1), subsection (a) shall apply to an entity subordinate to a government that engages in exports or transfers described in
(c) Effect of enforcement actions by MTCR adherents
Sanctions set forth in subsection (a) may not be imposed under this section on a person with respect to acts described in such subsection or, if such sanctions are in effect against a person on account of such acts, such sanctions shall be terminated, if an MTCR adherent is taking judicial or other enforcement action against that person with respect to such acts, or that person has been found by the government of an MTCR adherent to be innocent of wrongdoing with respect to such acts, and if the President certifies to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on International Relations of the House of Representatives that—
(1) for any judicial or other enforcement action taken by the MTCR adherent, such action has—
(A) been comprehensive; and
(B) been performed to the satisfaction of the United States; and
(2) with respect to any finding of innocence of wrongdoing, the United States is satisfied with the basis for such finding.
(d) Advisory opinions
The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Commerce, may, upon the request of any person, issue an advisory opinion to that person as to whether a proposed activity by that person would subject that person to sanctions under this section. Any person who relies in good faith on such an advisory opinion which states that the proposed activity would not subject a person to such sanctions, and any person who thereafter engages in such activity, may not be made subject to such sanctions on account of such activity.
(e) Waiver and report to Congress
(1) In any case other than one in which an advisory opinion has been issued under subsection (d) stating that a proposed activity would not subject a person to sanctions under this section, the President may waive the application of subsection (a) to a foreign person if the President determines that such waiver is essential to the national security of the United States.
(2) In the event that the President decides to apply the waiver described in paragraph (1), the President shall so notify the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives not less than 45 working days before issuing the waiver. Such notification shall include a report fully articulating the rationale and circumstances which led the President to apply the waiver.
(f) Presumption
In determining whether to apply sanctions under subsection (a) to a foreign person involved in the export, transfer, or trade of an item on the MTCR Annex, it should be a rebuttable presumption that such item is designed for use in a missile listed in the MTCR Annex if the President determines that the final destination of the item is a country the government of which the Secretary of State has determined, for purposes of 4605(j)(1)(A) 2 of title 50, has repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism.
(g) Additional waiver
The President may waive the imposition of sanctions under paragraph (1) on a person with respect to a product or service if the President certifies to the Congress that—
(1) the product or service is essential to the national security of the United States; and
(2) such person is a sole source supplier of the product or service, the product or service is not available from any alternative reliable supplier, and the need for the product or service cannot be met in a timely manner by improved manufacturing processes or technological developments.
(h) Exceptions
The President shall not apply the sanction under this section prohibiting the importation of the products of a foreign person—
(1) in the case of procurement of defense articles or defense services—
(A) under existing contracts or subcontracts, including the exercise of options for production quantities to satisfy requirements essential to the national security of the United States;
(B) if the President determines that the person to which the sanctions would be applied is a sole source supplier of the defense articles and services, that the defense articles or services are essential to the national security of the United States, and that alternative sources are not readily or reasonably available; or
(C) if the President determines that such articles or services are essential to the national security of the United States under defense coproduction agreements or NATO Programs of Cooperation;
(2) to products or services provided under contracts entered into before the date on which the President publishes his intention to impose the sanctions; or
(3) to—
(A) spare parts,
(B) component parts, but not finished products, essential to United States products or production,
(C) routine services and maintenance of products, to the extent that alternative sources are not readily or reasonably available, or
(D) information and technology essential to United States products or production.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Subsections (f) and (g), referred to in subsec. (a)(1), were redesignated subsecs. (g) and (h), respectively, by
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(A), (2)(A)(ii), was in the original "this Act", meaning
Amendments
2014—Subsec. (e)(2).
1999—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
"(1) for any judicial or other enforcement action taken by the MTCR adherent, such action has—
"(A) been comprehensive; and
"(B) been performed to the satisfaction of the United States; and
"(2) with respect to any finding of innocence of wrongdoing, the United States is satisfied with the basis for such finding".
1998—Subsec. (d).
1996—Subsec. (e)(2).
1994—Subsec. (d).
Subsecs. (f) to (h).
1991—Subsec. (a)(1)(A).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Change of Name
Committee on International Relations of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Foreign Affairs of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 6, One Hundred Tenth Congress, Jan. 5, 2007.
Effective Date of 1998 Amendment
Amendment by
Space Cooperation With Russian Persons
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(4)
"(A)
"(i) the first certification under paragraph (1) not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 6, 2000]; and
"(ii) each annual certification thereafter on the anniversary of the first submission.
"(B)
"(b)
"(c)
"(d)
"(1)
"(2) MTCR
"(3)
"(4)
Executive Documents
Delegation of Functions
For delegation of certain functions of the President under this section, see Ex. Ord. No. 12851, §2(a), June 11, 1993, 58 F.R. 33181, set out as a note under
1 See References in Text note below.
2 So in original. Probably should be preceded by "section".
§2797b–1. Notification of admittance of MTCR adherents
(a) Policy report
Following any action by the United States that results in a country becoming a MTCR adherent, the President shall transmit promptly to the Congress a report which describes the rationale for such action, together with an assessment of that country's nonproliferation policies, practices, and commitments. Such report shall also include the text of any agreements or understandings between the United States and such country regarding the terms and conditions of the country's adherence to the MTCR.
(b) Intelligence assessment report
At such times that a report is transmitted pursuant to subsection (a), the Director of Central Intelligence shall promptly prepare and submit to the Congress a separate report containing any credible information indicating that the country described in subsection (a) has engaged in any activity identified under subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of
(
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1999—
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Change of Name
Reference to the Director of Central Intelligence or the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency in the Director's capacity as the head of the intelligence community deemed to be a reference to the Director of National Intelligence. Reference to the Director of Central Intelligence or the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency in the Director's capacity as the head of the Central Intelligence Agency deemed to be a reference to the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. See section 1081(a), (b) of
Executive Documents
Delegation of Functions
Functions of President under this section delegated to Secretary of State by Memorandum of President of the United States, July 26, 1994, 59 F.R. 40205, set out as a note under
§2797b–2. Authority relating to MTCR adherents
Notwithstanding
(
§2797c. Definitions
(a) In general
For purposes of this subchapter—
(1) the term "missile" means a category I system as defined in the MTCR Annex, and any other unmanned delivery system of similar capability, as well as the specially designed production facilities for these systems;
(2) the term "Missile Technology Control Regime" or "MTCR" means the policy statement, between the United States, the United Kingdom, the Federal Republic of Germany, France, Italy, Canada, and Japan, announced on April 16, 1987, to restrict sensitive missile-relevant transfers based on the MTCR Annex, and any amendments thereto;
(3) the term "MTCR adherent" means a country that participates in the MTCR or that, pursuant to an international understanding to which the United States is a party, controls MTCR equipment or technology in accordance with the criteria and standards set forth in the MTCR;
(4) the term "MTCR Annex" means the Guidelines and Equipment and Technology Annex of the MTCR, and any amendments thereto;
(5) the terms "missile equipment or technology" and "MTCR equipment or technology" mean those items listed in category I or category II of the MTCR Annex;
(6) the term "United States person" has the meaning given that term in section 4618(2) 1 of title 50;
(7) the term "foreign person" means any person other than a United States person;
(8)(A) the term "person" means a natural person as well as a corporation, business association, partnership, society, trust, any other nongovernmental entity, organization, or group, and any governmental entity operating as a business enterprise, and any successor of any such entity; and
(B) in the case of countries with non-market economies (excluding former members of the Warsaw Pact), the term "person" means—
(i) all activities of that government relating to the development or production of any missile equipment or technology; and
(ii) all activities of that government affecting the development or production of electronics, space systems or equipment, and military aircraft; and
(9) the term "otherwise engaged in the trade of" means, with respect to a particular export or transfer, to be a freight forwarder or designated exporting agent, or a consignee or end user of the item to be exported or transferred.
(b) International understanding defined
For purposes of subsection (a)(3), as it relates to any international understanding concluded with the United States after January 1, 2000, the term "international understanding" means—
(1) any specific agreement by a country not to export, transfer, or otherwise engage in the trade of any MTCR equipment or technology that contributes to the acquisition, design, development, or production of missiles in a country that is not an MTCR adherent and would be, if it were United States-origin equipment or technology, subject to the jurisdiction of the United States under this chapter; or
(2) any specific understanding by a country that, notwithstanding
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (b), was in the original "this Act", meaning
Amendments
1999—
1991—Par. (8)(B).
Par. (8)(B)(ii).