Guide

How is Building Partner Capacity materiel delivered to the partner?

Updated 3 October 2026Checked against the SAMM: 26 September 2026

Building Partner Capacity materiel moves through the Defense Transportation System, or by vendor-provided transportation only when a policy exception approves it. The U.S. Government keeps title and responsibility until the materiel is in the partner country. There the Security Cooperation Organization or another U.S. Government employee inventories it jointly with the partner's representative and transfers title on a signed Transfer and Receipt document. Only the partner unit named in the congressional notification may receive it, and delivery should, to the maximum extent practical, follow within 120 days of receipt by the U.S. Government.

How is Building Partner Capacity materiel delivered to the partner?

Materiel shipments made as part of Building Partner Capacity (BPC) LOAs follow different rules than materiel shipments made under an FMS LOA. For BPC LOAs, the standard terms and conditions do not apply because the purchaser on the LOA is a USG entity. The DoW retains title to the materiel until after it is received in country, and the USG representative transfers custody and responsibility to the recipient country. As a result, the DoW assumes all liability and responsibility for materiel movement until the title transfers. The designated USG representative will confirm and document delivery and receipt of the BPC LOA materiel to an authorized recipient country representative or agent of the receiving country. The USG representative will keep documentation showing when, where, and to whom delivery was made and will provide a copy of this documentation to the implementing agency that issued the LOA.

All materiel transferred under a BPC LOA must move through the DTS, unless vendor-provided transportation is pre-approved by policy exception. No freight forwarder is involved. DSCA publishes non-FMS program guidance annually as security cooperation programs receive congressional approval and funding. Materiel transfer rules are subject to change and may vary for different security cooperation programs. Chapter 15 of the SAMM addresses BPC LOAs.

SAMM C15.5.6.2.1.1.2 — Joint Consolidation Point.

Equipment and materiel from a continental United States (CONUS) vendor can be consolidated at a JCP. The intent of a JCP is for small items that need to be collected from various vendors to enhance the efficiency of transportation and delivery coordination. The JCP is not typically used for large items that may be more appropriately sent directly from the vendors. The JCP does not handle weapons, ammunition, or certain types of hazardous materiel. IAs may consult with DSCA PMs prior to shipments if there are questions on JCP use. DTC 2 and 7 will be indicated on the equipment lines on the BPC case with associated notes when the JCP is used. DSCA (IOPS) works with the JCP team to provide current timelines for the SCO and coordinates shipment no less than 30 days prior in order to arrange transportation and confirm the delivery address or Military Assistance Program Address Code (MAPAC), POD, RDD and any special delivery requirements. Exceptions to the timeline provided must be coordinated by DSCA, the MILDEP, the SCO, and the JCP. The coordination will provide the SCO, another USG employee, or designee proper time to prepare the transfer of equipment. The current year BPC transportation case will support the consolidation of equipment and materiel, as well as onward movement of equipment to the Benefitting Partner. IAs requesting funds from the BPC transportation case will calculate and track estimated costs for transportation to allow for adequate request of resources, and the IA executing the BPC transportation case will ensure adequate funds are available.

Synced 11 September 2026 · View on samm.dsca.mil

SAMM C15.5.6.5.1 — Joint Inventory for Transfer and Receipt of Materiel.

When the Benefitting Partner is ready to receive the delivery, the SCO, another USG employee (or a designee only in the case of unclassified materiel), and the Benefitting Partner representative will conduct a joint materiel inventory using the shipper’s manifest while the materiel remains in the custody of the SCO. The SCO will inform the IA of any materiel suspected to be missing to verify that it has not been included in a subsequent delivery. The initial operator training is responsible for providing initial equipment testing. The SCO will advise the Benefitting Partner that the Benefitting Partner has a limited-time window to notify the SCO if equipment is not functioning as intended.

Synced 11 September 2026 · View on samm.dsca.mil

References

Drawn exclusively from publicly available authorities.

SAMM

SAMM C15.5.1.2 — Transportation.
SAMM C15.5.6.2.1.1.2 — Joint Consolidation Point.
SAMM C15.5.6.2.3.2 — Advance Notice of Delivery and the DoD Foreign Clearance Guide.
SAMM C15.5.6.5.1 — Joint Inventory for Transfer and Receipt of Materiel.
SAMM C15.5.6.5.4 — Title Transfer to the Congressionally Notified Unit.
SAMM C15.5.6.5.5.1 — Shipment Control Numbers and Title Transfer Document Reporting.
SAMM C15.3.6.1 — Delivery to the Benefitting Partner.

Facts referenced

Days after receipt by the USG within which BPC defense articles should, to the maximum extent practical, be delivered to the Benefitting Partner — 120 days (as of 11 September 2026) — SAMM C15.3.6.1

GuideWhat is a Building Partner Capacity case?GuideShould a Foreign Military Sales purchaser use a freight forwarder or the Defense Transportation System?GuideWhen does title transfer in a Foreign Military Sale?GuideWhat is end-use monitoring?

How is Building Partner Capacity materiel delivered to the partner?

How is Building Partner Capacity materiel delivered to the partner?

References

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