11 questions · answered against the Corpus of 2026-08-29
The questions people type at 23:00.
These are the phrases hardware teams search the night before a shipment or a diligence call. Each page answers in plain language, quotes the control entry it turns on with the date the text was retrieved, and names what would change the answer.
Is a thermal camera ITAR?
Usually not. Most commercial thermal cameras are EAR, on 6A003 or 6A002.
Is an FPV drone ITAR?
Rarely. Most civilian FPV and industrial drones are EAR, and 9A012 is the entry to check first.
Does my drone need an export licence?
It depends on the ECCN and the destination country, not on the drone alone.
What does EAR99 mean?
It means the item is subject to the EAR but is not listed on the Commerce Control List. It is a residual, not a clearance.
What does "specially designed" actually mean?
It is a defined term with a catch-and-release structure, not a judgement about intent.
Is a night vision scope ITAR?
Often yes. Image-intensifier night vision is the part of optics that sits squarely in USML Category XII.
Does encryption in my product need an export licence?
Encryption puts you on 5A002 by default, but most commercial products move under a licence exception with a filing.
Is a telemetry radio export controlled?
Usually yes, in the light sense: 3A991 or 5A002 rather than the USML.
Is a CubeSat part ITAR?
It depends on the subsystem. Spacecraft moved largely to the EAR in 2014, but not all of it.
Is a drone motor or ESC ITAR?
Almost never on its own. A commercial motor sold into both markets is released by the specially designed test.
What is the difference between ITAR and EAR?
Two regimes, two regulators. ITAR is State and covers defence articles; EAR is Commerce and covers dual-use items.
None of these is your product.
Describe what you build and the Interview asks only the questions the regulation turns on, then names the jurisdiction and the entry. Free, no account.