ITALIAN POLICIES ON THE IMPORT, POSSESSION AND

UNCLAS ROME 002772

SIPDIS

STATE FOR PM/DTC CHARLES ROBERTSON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KOMC IT EXPORT CONTROLS
SUBJECT: ITALIAN POLICIES ON THE IMPORT, POSSESSION AND
RE-EXPORT OF U.S. MUNITIONS LIST CATEGORY 1 HARDWARE,
PARTICULARLY FIREARMS

REF: STATE 064759


1. THE ITALIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS' AUTHORIZATION
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UNIT FOR ARMAMENTS (UAMA) REGULATES EXPORTS OF ARMAMENTS,
INCLUDING AUTOMATIC FIREARMS AND ASSOCIATED MUNITIONS. THE
ITALIAN MINISTRY OF INTERIOR, DIRECTORATE OF ARMS AND
EXPLOSIVES REGULATE THE EXPORT OF OTHER HANDGUNS.


2. UAMA DIRECTOR FERNANDO ZEZZA HAS PROVIDED THE EMBASSY
WITH A COPY OF DECREE 448 OF SEPTEMBER 25, 1999, WHICH
INCORPORATES THE MOST RECENT REGULATIONS FOR EXPORT, IMPORT
AND TRANSIT OF ARMAMENTS, AND OF LAW 185 OF JULY 9, 1990. AS
THESE ARE IN ITALIAN, THE ANSWERS TO REFTEL QUESTIONS ARE
BRIEFLY SUMMARIZED BELOW. A COPY OF THE LAW AND DECREE WILL
BE SENT TO PM/DTC.


A. THE POLICY OF THE GOVERNMENT OF ITALY IS TO RESTRICT
IMPORT, OWNERSHIP, RE-SALE AND RE-EXPORT OF AUTOMATIC
FIREARMS. PERMITS FOR AUTOMATIC WEAPON EXPORT AND RE-EXPORT
MUST BE OBTAINED FROM THE MFA'S UAMA. ALL OTHER PERMITS MUST
BE OBTAINED FROM THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR'S DIRECTORATE OF
ARMS AND EXPLOSIVES. DECREE 448 EXPLICITLY REQUIRES THAT
ARMAMENTS EXPORTS BE APPROVED BY THE MFA, AND THAT NO
RE-EXPORT OF ARMAMENTS ACQUIRED FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY BE
APPROVED WITHOUT ADVANCE APPROVAL FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF THE
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN.

THE LAW SPECIFICALLY FORBIDS EXPORTS TO COUNTRIES IN A STATE
OF ARMED CONFLICT, TO COUNTRIES FOR WHICH THE UNITED NATIONS
HAS DECLARED AN EMBARGO AND TO COUNTRIES WHOSE GOVERNMENTS
ARE IN VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS CONVENTIONS.

IMPORTS ARE PERMITTED ONLY WHEN CARRIED OUT BY: (A) THE
ITALIAN MILITARY AND POLICE AS AUTHORIZED; (B) FIRMS
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AUTHORIZED AND REGISTERED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTRY IN ACCORD
WITH ITALIAN LAW; (C) FIRMS IMPORTING FOR THE PURPOSE OF
TEMPORARY INSPECTION; (D) STATE ENTITIES, WHEN AUTHORIZED BY
THE POLICE; (E) FOREIGN FIRMS, WHEN TEMPORARILY IMPORTING
SAMPLES FOR DEMONSTRATION PURPOSES, AUTHORIZED BY THE
MINISTRY OF INTERIOR WITHOUT OBJECTION FROM THE MINISTRY OF
DEFENSE. ALSO PERMITTED ARE (A) IMPORT BY THE GOVERNMENT OF
ITALY TO EQUIP THE ARMED FORCES AND THE POLICE, (B) STATE TO
STATE TRANSFERS IN ACCORD WITH INTERNATIONAL TREATY AND (C)
TRANSIT OF MATERIAL NEEDED BY NATO ALLIES.

THE MINISTRY OF DEFENSE, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL,
MAINTAINS A REGISTRY OF FIRMS AND CONSORTIA AUTHORIZED TO
DESIGN, PRODUCE, IMPORT, EXPORT, MAINTAIN OR WORK ON
ARMAMENTS, SUBDIVIDED BY CATEGORY. THESE ARE THE ONLY PRIVATE
ENTITIES PERMITTED TO EXPORT, IMPORT OR ENGAGE IN TRANSIT OF
ARMAMENTS.


B. N/A.


C. EXPORT REQUESTS MUST INCLUDE A CERTIFICATION BY THE
DESTINATION OR TRANSIT COUNTRY THAT THE RECIPIENT IS
AUTHORIZED LEGALLY BY THAT GOVERNMENT TO PRODUCE AND SELL
SUCH MATERIAL. THIS CERTIFICATION AND AN AUTHORIZED
TRANSLATION MUST BE NOTARIZED IN THE COMPETENT ITALIAN
EMBASSY OR CONSULATE.


D. THE LAW ON ARMAMENTS DOES NOT ENVISION RESALE OF FIREARMS
WITHIN ITALY.
SEMBLER

UNCLASSIFIED

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UNCLASSIFIED

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2002ROME02772 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED