What must an exporter do when exporting defense articles under an ITAR license?

When exporting defense articles under an ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) license, it is essential for exporters to submit the license to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and file an Automated Export System (AES) submission. This process is crucial for ensuring compliance with U.S. law, as it facilitates the tracking and monitoring of military exports, helping to prevent unauthorized transfers and ensuring that all export activities meet legal requirements.

Submitting the license to CBP is a necessary part of the export process since it allows authorities to review and authorize the export of controlled defense articles, ensuring they align with national security interests. Additionally, filing an AES provides the government with critical data on the nature of the goods being exported, including the details of the shipment, which aids in export control enforcement and statistics.

Simply retaining the license for records does not fulfill the regulatory requirement, as it does not notify authorities of the actual export activity. Notifying only the Department of Commerce is insufficient since defense articles fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of State and ITAR specifically. Sending the license directly to the end-user does not comply with the regulatory requirements, as it bypasses the need for government oversight through CBP and AES filings. Thus, A is the correct choice as it