ITAR/EAR-Compliant Device Supply for Defence and Security

Defence Device Procurement, Handled End-to-End

Defence and security agencies procuring electronic devices face two compliance regimes: ITAR (the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, governed by the State Department's DDTC) for defence articles on the U.S. Munitions List, and EAR (the Export Administration Regulations, governed by Commerce's BIS) for dual-use electronics. Most consumer-class devices fall under EAR; specialist defence hardware falls under ITAR; some specific categories cross both regimes depending on configuration.

Solaris Wireless has handled controlled-hardware deployments for U.S. Government agencies and allied nations across all of these categories. The team coordinates jurisdictional review, end-user screening, chain-of-custody documentation and rapid-response delivery as a single engagement. For defence procurement officers, the rest of this post is operational, not regulatory tutorial.

How Solaris Handles an ITAR Engagement

1. Jurisdictional review and end-user screening

Before allocation, Solaris confirms whether the device falls under ITAR or EAR (some configurations sit on the boundary; encryption strength is a common trigger). The deploying agency and the end-user country are screened against the State Department's denied-parties lists, sanctions lists and prohibited end-use criteria. Documented screening with results is part of the export file.

2. Chain-of-custody from manufacture to end use

ITAR shipments require documented chain of custody from manufacture (or import) through every intermediate party to the end-use party. Solaris's documentation includes serial-number tracking, transfer manifests and end-use certification. For DSP-83 controlled items, the end-user signs the Non-Transfer and Use Certification before shipment.

3. Pre-cleared inventory for rapid response

For rapid-deployment engagements (humanitarian response, allied-nation emergency support, ruggedised communications activation), Solaris maintains pre-cleared inventory at the Miami, Netherlands, Dubai and Singapore supply nodes. ITAR-cleared, end-user-pre-screened and ready to dispatch within 72 hours. The U.S. Government and allied nations have used this capability for ruggedised communications hardware programmes.

4. Recordkeeping for the 5-year retention period

Solaris retains all export records for the regulatory minimum of 5 years from the date of the regulated activity, including denied screenings. Records are produced on request for any past shipment within the retention window.

Specialist Sourcing Under ITAR/EAR

Beyond standard handset and laptop supply, Solaris has located 40+ specialist and EOL SKUs including export-controlled items for academic and research institutions across Europe and Asia. The Google relationship that produced Solaris's Google-approved vendor status started with a discontinued, mission-critical feature phone that no other supplier could locate. That sourcing capability translates directly into defence procurement: when a programme needs a specific revision of a discontinued device for testing or field use, Solaris can find it through certified secondary-market channels with full provenance.

Detailed in the government and military deployment case study.

What Defence Procurement Officers Should Provide on First Contact

• Article specification (manufacturer, model, revision, quantity)
• Destination country and end-user organisation
• End-use description (programme, application)
• Required compliance regime (ITAR, EAR, both, or unsure)
• Target delivery window and rapid-response need
• Contract vehicle (direct-to-agency, NASPO, GSA Schedule, allied-nation FMS)

Contact the Solaris team with the above and you will receive a jurisdictional and licensing assessment within one business day, plus a delivery proposal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Solaris Wireless registered with the DDTC for ITAR brokering?

Solaris Wireless coordinates ITAR-controlled deployments through DDTC-registered brokerage partners and direct registration where the engagement requires. Documentation of registration status is provided to qualified institutional buyers under NDA as part of due diligence.

Does Solaris handle EAR-controlled deployments?

Yes. Solaris handles EAR-controlled electronic device deployments globally including end-user screening against the Entity List, the Denied Persons List and the Specially Designated Nationals list, jurisdictional ECCN classification, and export-licence application support where required.

What ITAR/EAR documentation does Solaris provide?

Solaris provides DSP-83 Non-Transfer and Use Certification where the deployment requires it, end-user certification, chain-of-custody tracking from manufacture to end use, and post-shipment recordkeeping for the 5-year regulatory retention period.

Can Solaris ship to allied nations under ITAR?

Yes, with appropriate licensing. Many allied-nation deployments operate under ITAR exemptions or specific export licences. Solaris has supported allied-nation programmes including pre-cleared inventory and 72-hour rapid response for ruggedised communications hardware.

How quickly can Solaris dispatch ITAR-compliant hardware for emergency deployment?

From pre-cleared inventory at the Miami, Netherlands, Dubai or Singapore supply nodes, Solaris dispatches in 72 hours for qualified rapid-response engagements. Standard ITAR shipments take 2-12 weeks depending on the article and licence requirement.