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How is classified materiel shipped in a Foreign Military Sale?

Updated 29 September 2026Checked against the SAMM: 26 September 2026

Classified materiel moves through official government-to-government channels, or by another method the two governments' Designated Security Authorities agree in writing. Before it ships, the and the purchaser agree a that names who safeguards it at every point, and custody passes only when the purchaser's accepts it.

SENSITIVE CARGO: WHICH SHIPPING RULES ATTACH, AND WHO MAY TAKE CUSTODY fmsedge.com Does the LOA hold classified (CONFIDENTIAL, SECRET), sensitive (Controlled Cryptographic Items included) or arms, ammunition and explosives (AA&E, Security Risk Categories I–IV) articles, with an international transfer? How are hazardous materials shipped in a Foreign Military Sale? Hazardous materials (HAZMAT), explosives included? A Transportation Plan is required, and it decides the path Developed by the Implementing Agency (IA) with the purchaser; approved by the applicable security authority and accepted by the purchaser in writing before the materiel moves. It covers all movement to receipt by the purchaser’s Designated Government Representative (DGR). Once approved it is part of the LOA; the purchaser’s freight forwarder holds a copy. yes by class yes: these rules apply as well Classified CONFIDENTIAL and SECRET WHICH RULES ATTACH Government-to-government: official channels, or a method both Designated Security Authorities agree in writing. The IA’s Designated Disclosure Authority reviews the plan; DCSA receives it if a forwarder, commercial carrier or cleared contractor is involved. As freight: a cleared DoW or purchaser escort, except by DTS, the purchaser’s military transport after DGR acceptance, a cleared forwarder’s approved escort, or DTSA case by case. TOP SECRET: government courier only. WHO MAY TAKE CUSTODY Only the purchaser’s DGR, designated in writing, or its transfer agent (e.g. a cleared forwarder) moving it on to the DGR. A forwarder takes custody only with a facility clearance and storage. What is a Delivery Term Code in Foreign Military Sales? AA&E: Category I MANPADS, rockets, ready-to-fire rounds WHICH RULES ATTACH The Defense Transportation System (DTS) to at least the overseas port of debarkation (POD). Pick-up at a DoW-controlled port, for movement under the purchaser’s own control, needs a USD (I&S) waiver requested through the IA and DSCA; if granted, it is noted on the LOA. Never to the purchaser’s freight forwarder or a purchaser facility in the United States. The IA reviews the plan (every AA&E category); DCSA does not need copies. WHO MAY TAKE CUSTODY The purchaser’s DGR, at the overseas POD or beyond: the Security Cooperation Organization (SCO) ensures the transfer of a DTS shipment to the DGR. At a DoW-controlled port only if waived. What is a Delivery Term Code in Foreign Military Sales? AA&E: Categories II–IV light automatic to non-automatic arms WHICH RULES ATTACH Through a DoW-controlled port of embarkation (POE), with security consistent with Delivery Term Code (DTC) 7, 8 or 9. This cannot be waived. Never to the purchaser’s freight forwarder or a purchaser facility in the United States. Only items DoW item managers identify as Sensitive need this processing; Sensitive items without a category (night vision devices, for one) still need special handling. WHO MAY TAKE CUSTODY At the DoW-controlled POE at the earliest: under DTC 8, once loaded into the purchaser’s ship or aircraft. Under DTC 9 or 7, at the overseas POD or the inland destination. Freight forwarder or Defense Transportation System: how does a Foreign Military Sales purchaser ship its materiel? Controlled Cryptographic Items unclassified, controlled COMSEC items WHICH RULES ATTACH Excepted from the sensitive-item bar: may move through the purchaser’s freight forwarder or the DTS, with in-transit visibility and protection against theft and loss at all times. Un-keyed: a plan to Figure C7.F4. Keyed: only by a DSCA-approved exemption to policy. Plan approval depends on a CISMOA or other agreement. Packages are never marked as CCI nor show the item description. WHO MAY TAKE CUSTODY An authorized activity, with a person designated to accept custody; the address is a functional designator, never a name. The recipient COMSEC Manager signs and returns the SF-153 within 48 hours of receipt. How are hazardous materials shipped in a Foreign Military Sale? Hazardous, explosives included U.S. Hazardous Materials Regulations WHICH RULES ATTACH Every shipment complies with the U.S. Hazardous Materials Regulations and international transportation standards. Hazard Class 1 explosives need an EX-Number from the Department of Transportation before any commercial conveyance in the United States. The “DoD EX-Number” covers DTS moves (DTC 7, 9) and pick-up at a DoW- controlled POE (DTC 8) within U.S. jurisdiction. Otherwise, and for any return to the United States, the purchaser obtains its own. WHO MAY TAKE CUSTODY Wherever the Delivery Term Code sets; once custody passes to the purchaser, the “DoD EX-Number” is no longer valid for the movement. Offer Release Codes, on: Who is responsible for shipping in a Foreign Military Sale? Offer Release Code Z for hazardous, pilferable, classified or special-handling materiel: a Notice of Availability first, and no release until its addressee responds (unclassified small parcels excepted). Classified notices go to the country representative. Freight forwarder or Defense Transportation System: how does a Foreign Military Sales purchaser ship its materiel? The Case Manager notes hazardous, AA&E, classified or sensitive items on the LOA. No to both questions: the purchaser’s chosen method drives the typical path, through its freight forwarder or the DTS. FMS Edge a cargo class · the Transportation Plan, which decides the path · a decision fmsedge.com · Current as of 11 September 2026 · SAMM C3.3.3 · C7.5 · C7.6 · C7.11 · C7.13–C7.16 · Table C7.T6

For ordinary cargo the purchaser's chosen method drives the typical path. For classified, sensitive or arms, ammunition and explosives (AA&E) cargo moving internationally, a Transportation Plan is required, and it decides the path: the Implementing Agency develops it with the purchaser, and it is approved and accepted in writing before anything moves. Each class then carries its own shipping rules and its own rule for who may take custody. Hazardous materials rules apply alongside, whatever the class.

Sensitive cargo: which shipping rules attach, and who may take custody · Current as of 11 September 2026 · SAMM C3.3.3 · C7.5 · C7.6 · C7.11 · C7.13–C7.16 · Table C7.T6 · Download PNG

How is classified materiel shipped in a Foreign Military Sale?

Classified shipments of materiel are often made via the , which provides the required security and enables the DoW to maintain control and custody of the materiel until delivery to the purchaser. Classified materiel or data must be moved under security safeguards appropriate to the transportation mode employed, as established by Manual 5200.01, Volume 3, Program: Protection of Classified Information.

Classified and is identifiable through the Controlled Inventory Item Code (CIIC) listed in the catalog data for that item. Classified items should also be identified on the .

The Manual 5200.01, Volume 3, Program: Protection of Classified Information specifically advises that classified materiel shall be transferred on a government-to-government basis by duly authorized representatives of each government. This means that classified materiel shall be sent only to an embassy or other official agency of the recipient government, or for loading on board a ship, aircraft, or other flag carrier designated by the recipient government at the point of departure from the U.S.

The release of a shipment to a does not constitute transfer of custody and security responsibility to the recipient foreign government; this occurs only when the receiving government’s assumes custody of the consignment. The acts only as a transfer agent.

Before classified materiel can be shipped, the procedures for safeguarding it must be spelled out in a detailed by the preparing the , in cooperation with the customer. The must identify the individual responsible for safeguarding the classified materiel, the methods of transport, the locations of transfer and delivery, the location of storage or processing facilities, and the security clearances of all personnel and facilities involved in the transfer. The must ensure that its own security officials review and approve the .

The must be finalized, reviewed, and approved by the selling command’s security officials before any classified materiel can be shipped. The completed must be maintained in the case file. It must also be made available to U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other security officials when classified materiel is exported.

THE SAMPLE TRANSPORTATION PLAN · TRANSFER OF CUSTODY fmsedge.com NOA Notice of Availability Tells the purchaser’s representative, as listed in the MAPAD, the materiel is ready DGR The purchaser’s DGR Classified materiel is released only to the purchaser’s DGR, or its transfer agent Tally record Signed at each hand-over; the DGR’s signature takes final security responsibility See the whole plan: the anatomy graphic on the Transportation Plan guide See the whole plan → SECTION F · ROUTING, HAND-OVER BY HAND-OVER Source of supply Cleared carrier Port or forwarder Vessel or aircraft Bandaria’s DGR Notice of Availability to the purchaser’s representative · a cleared carrier Signature and Tally Record signed at every hand-over Report of shipment (REPSHIP) on release · tracer action if it is late H. RECIPIENT GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Transfer of custody: Bandaria’s DGR signs the Signature and Tally Record (DD Form 1907) or DD Form 1385; full security responsibility passes SECTION H · RECIPIENT GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITIES Source of supply Cleared carrier Port or forwarder Vessel or aircraft Bandaria’s DGR Notice of Availability to the purchaser’s representative · a cleared carrier Signature and Tally Record signed at every hand-over Report of shipment (REPSHIP) on release · tracer action if it is late H. RECIPIENT GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Transfer of custody: Bandaria’s DGR signs the Signature and Tally Record (DD Form 1907) or DD Form 1385; full security responsibility passes FMS Edge the part explained · custody changes hands · on the sample plan · the rest of the plan fmsedge.com · Current as of 27 September 2026 · SAMM C3.3.3.4.4.2 · Figure C7.F2 · C15.5.6.3.2

The transfer of custody on the sample Transportation Plan for a classified and sensitive shipment. Bandaria is the manual's fictional training country; the figure is a training example, not a real case. The routing section follows the materiel from hand-over to hand-over; the recipient government's section says where custody passes: when the purchaser's Designated Government Representative signs.

Transfer of custody on the sample Transportation Plan · Current as of 27 September 2026 · SAMM C3.3.3.4.4.2 · Figure C7.F2 · C15.5.6.3.2 · Download PNG

Movement of sensitive for customers requires a , which should be coordinated with the customer as part of the negotiation process. The will be coordinated following the same procedure as for classified shipments.

Classified, sensitive and hazardous shipments require the shipper to notify the customer representative or of the intent to ship the materiel. This notification is known as a . The may be submitted on a DD Form 1348-5, , or the can be sent using a commercial fax, e-mail, letter, or some other traceable document. These notices may be mailed or sent electronically by the shipper. The alerts the or country representative that a shipment is ready for movement, that appropriate actions are to be taken to ensure the protection of the materiel, and, for classified items, that proper government-to-government transfer must occur. The or country representative must respond to the confirming readiness to receive the materiel. The response should provide specific packaging and documentation instructions to enable the shipper to package the materiel for the appropriate mode of shipment. For classified shipments, the must identify the name of the recipient government’s . The shipper is not permitted to ship the materiel unless the response has been received. Shippers may charge materiel storage charges against the when freight forwarders or customer representatives are unable or unwilling to accept materiel.

References

Drawn exclusively from publicly available authorities.

SAMM

Related

GuideWhat is a Transportation Plan in a Foreign Military Sale?GuideShould a Foreign Military Sales purchaser use a freight forwarder or the Defense Transportation System?GuideWhat is a Delivery Term Code?GuideWho is responsible for shipping in a Foreign Military Sale?GuideWhat is the National Disclosure Policy?GuideWhat is a Designated Government Representative?GuideWhat does DCSA do in FMS?