514.511

English is not an official language of the Swiss Confederation. This translation is provided for information purposes only and has no legal force.

# Ordinance on War Materiel

(War Materiel Ordinance, WMO)

of 25 February 1998 (Status as of 1 March 2025)

The Swiss Federal Council,

based on the War Materiel Act of 13 December 1996[^1](WMA),<br />Article 150*a* paragraph 2 letter c of the Armed Forces Act of 3 February 1995[^2]<br />and Article 43 of the Government and Administration Organisation Act of<br />21 March 1997[^3],[^4]

ordains:

## **Section 1** General Provisions {#sec_1}
##### **Art. 1** Scope of Application {#sec_1/art_1 omnilex-key=ch-fedlex--514.511--1}
1. This Ordinance regulates initial licences and specific licences for the trade, brokerage, import, export and transit of war materiel as well as the conclusion of contracts for the transfer of intellectual property including know-how and the granting of rights thereto.[^5]
2. The Ordinance applies to Swiss customs territory, Swiss public customs warehouses, warehouses for bulk goods, bonded warehouses and Swiss customs-free zones.[^6]

##### **Art. 2** War materiel {#sec_1/art_2 omnilex-key=ch-fedlex--514.511--2}
(Art. 5 WMA)
The goods listed in Annex 1 constitute war materiel.

## **Section 2** Initial Licences {#sec_2}
##### **Art. 3** Application {#sec_2/art_3 omnilex-key=ch-fedlex--514.511--3}
(Art. 9 WMA)
The application for an initial licence must include:
a. a list of the war materiel in respect of which a licence is being sought;
b.[^7] .
c. an extract certificate from the Commercial Register;
d. an extract certificate from the Tax Register;
e. an extract certificate from the Debt Collection Register;
f. in the case of natural persons, confirmation of place of residence.

##### **Art. 4** Withdrawal and revocation {#sec_2/art_4 omnilex-key=ch-fedlex--514.511--4}
(Art. 11 WMA)
1. An initial licence to manufacture war materiel shall be withdrawn if it has not been used for five years.
2. An initial licence for the trade or brokerage of war materiel shall be withdrawn if it has not been used for three years.
3. If an initial licence is withdrawn, revoked or has lapsed for any other reason, the war materiel that is still in the possession of the licence holder shall be sold or recycled under the supervision of the licensing authority.[^8]

## **Section 3** Specific Licences {#sec_3}
##### **Art. 5** {#sec_3/art_5 omnilex-key=ch-fedlex--514.511--5}

##### **Art. 5a** Non-re-export declarations {#sec_3/art_5 omnilex-key=ch-fedlex--514.511--5_a}
(Art. 18 WMA)
1. For a licence to be granted for the export of finished products or for individual parts or assembly packages to a foreign government or an undertaking acting on behalf of a foreign government, a non-re-export declaration from the government of the country of destination is required. The requirement for a non-re-export declaration is waived if the case involves individual parts or assembly packages of negligible value.
2. By issuing the non-re-export declaration, the country of destination undertakes not to export, sell, lend, or gift the war materiel authority or to transfer it in any other way to third parties abroad without the consent of the licensing authority.
3. If there is an increased risk in the country of destination that the war materiel to be exported will be passed on to an undesirable end recipient, the licensing authority may stipulate that it has the right to verify compliance with the non-re-export declaration on site. In the case of export of substantial volume, a non-re-export declaration in the form of a diplomatic note from the country of destination is required.
4. If there is evidence that the non-re-export declaration has been violated, the licensing authority may take precautionary measures. The Federal Department of Economic Affairs decides whether a licence should be revoked.

##### **Art. 5b** Exports to non-governmental bodies {#sec_3/art_5 omnilex-key=ch-fedlex--514.511--5_b}
(Art. 18 WMA)
Any person who wishes to export war materiel to a body that is neither a foreign government nor an undertaking acting on behalf of a foreign government must demonstrate when filing the export licence application that the required authorisation for import has been issued by the country of final destination or that no such authorisation is required.

##### **Art. 5c** Licence for the transit of civilian aircraft with war materiel on board {#sec_3/art_5 omnilex-key=ch-fedlex--514.511--5_c}
(Art. 17 para. 3, 22 and 22*a* WMA)[^9]
1. The transit of war materiel on board civilian aircraft shall be licensed provided that it is not contrary to international law, international obligations or the principles of Swiss foreign policy.
2. When deciding on the licence, the responsible authority shall also take account of the criteria set out in Article 22*a* WMA.[^10]

##### **Art. 6** Licence to broker and trade {#sec_3/art_6 omnilex-key=ch-fedlex--514.511--6}
(Art. 15 and 16 or 16*a* and 16*b* WMA)
1. Any person who manufactures war materiel in Switzerland in his own production plant may broker or trade abroad without a specific licence only if an initial licence for the brokerage or the trade of products analogous to those manufactured in the production plant has been granted.
2. No specific licence is required for the brokerage of or the trade in war materiel involving states listed in Annex 2; however, dealers and professional brokers require an initial licence.
3. Paragraphs 1 and 2 apply by analogy to the cases in Articles 15 paragraph 3 or 16*a* paragraph 3 WMA; where, however, specific licences are required, evidence must be provided on filing the licence application that a licence to trade arms has been obtained.

##### **Art. 6a** Exemption from import ortransit licence {#sec_3/art_6 omnilex-key=ch-fedlex--514.511--6_a}
(Art. 17 WMA)
1. Air passengers, including sky marshals, who stop over in Switzerland do not require a transit licence for firearms, their components and accessories, and their ammunition and munitions components that they are carrying for personal use in their baggage or in baggage that is sent in advance or forwarded provided such goods do not leave the transit area of the airport.[^11]
2. No transit licence is required by persons wishing to carry firearms, their components and accessories, and their ammunition and munitions components with an accompanying document from a state that is bound by any one of the Schengen Association Agreements (a Schengen state) via Switzerland to another Schengen state.
3. No transit licence is required by persons wishing to export for non-commercial purposes firearms, their components and accessories, and their ammunition and munitions components to another Schengen state.
4. The Schengen Association Agreements are listed in Annex 3.

##### **Art. 7** Licence for the transfer of intellectual property or the granting of rights thereto {#sec_3/art_7 omnilex-key=ch-fedlex--514.511--7}
(Art. 20 and 21 WMA)
No specific licence is required in order to enter into contracts relating to the transfer of intellectual property, including know-how, related to war materiel, or the granting of rights thereto provided such property or rights are intended for states that are listed in Annex 2.

##### **Art. 8** Diplomatic or consular missions and international organisations {#sec_3/art_8 omnilex-key=ch-fedlex--514.511--8}
Deliveries to and from diplomatic or consular missions as well as to and from international organisations in Switzerland and in the Principality of Liechtenstein are deemed to be imports and exports respectively.

##### **Art. 9** Relief for temporary export and transit {#sec_3/art_9 omnilex-key=ch-fedlex--514.511--9}
1. No licence is required by persons in the following categories for the temporary export and transit of firearms with the ammunition pertaining thereto:
a. persons travelling through Switzerland provided the weapons are recorded in the European Firearms Pass;
b. marksmen and hunters provided they furnish credible evidence that they are participating abroad in a shooting competition, in shooting or other training or in a hunt and that they will thereafter re-import the weapons in question;
c. security agents employed by foreign states travelling through Switzerland for official pre-arranged foreign visits;
d. security agents employed by the Swiss authorities for official, pre-arranged foreign visits, provided the weapons are subsequently re-imported;
e. members of foreign police forces or customs authorities for professional or training-related transit journeys;
f. members of Swiss police forces and employees of the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS)[^12]for professional or training-related journeys abroad, provided the weapons are subsequently re-imported;
g. security guards for airlines accompanying passenger flights to foreign destinations;
h. security guards for airlines accompanying passenger flights from abroad to destinations in Switzerland or stopping over in Switzerland, provided the weapons do not leave the transit area of the airport.
2. The import and re-export of firearms with the ammunition pertaining thereto by persons in the categories mentioned in paragraph 1 are governed by the legislation on weapons.

##### **Art. 9a** {#sec_3/art_9 omnilex-key=ch-fedlex--514.511--9_a}

##### **Art. 9b** Simplified procedure for security agents involved in the transport of valuables and persons {#sec_3/art_9 omnilex-key=ch-fedlex--514.511--9_b}
1. Security agents involved in the transport of valuables or of persons who export and re-import or carry in transit firearms[^13]together with the ammunition pertaining thereto as part of their duties require only one licence for each weapon and its ammunition. This licence is valid for one year and entitles the holder to cross the border as often as required.
2. The import and re-export of firearms together with the ammunition pertaining thereto as part of their duties is governed by the legislation on weapons.

##### **Art. 9c** Simplified procedure for repairs, exhibitions, performances or valuations {#sec_3/art_9 omnilex-key=ch-fedlex--514.511--9_c}
1. For war materiel that is temporarily exported under thecustoms procedure for temporary admission using a written customs declarationfor use in an exhibition or a performance or for valuation, the export licence is also valid for its re-import.[^14]
2. For war materiel that is temporarily imported under thecustoms procedure for temporary admission using a written customs declarationfor use in an exhibition, performance or for valuation, the import licence is also valid for its re- export.[^15]
3. War materiel that is also covered by the Weapons Act of 20 June 1997[^16]remains subject to the provisions of the legislation on weapons.

##### **Art. 9d** Exemption for training and the international deployment of military units {#sec_3/art_9 omnilex-key=ch-fedlex--514.511--9_d}
1. Swiss military units and their members do not require a licence for the export or re-import of war materiel that they take abroad for the purposes of international missions or training.
2. Foreign military units and their members that enter Switzerland for training purposes do not require a licence for the import or re-export of the war materiel that they bring with them for this purpose.
3. Foreign military units and their members do not require a transit licence for war materiel that they carry through Switzerland en route to training events in third countries or as part of international missions, provided Swiss military units or their members also take part in these training events or international missions.
4. War materiel that is also covered by the Weapons Act of 20 June 1997[^17]remains subject to the provisions of the legislation on weapons.

##### **Art. 9e** Simplified procedure for import and transit {#sec_3/art_9 omnilex-key=ch-fedlex--514.511--9_e}
1. Manufacturers who hold an initial licence may apply for a general import licence (GIL) for the import of individual parts, assembly packages or anonymous components of war materiel in terms of Article 18 paragraph 2 WMA, provided the parts concerned do not fall within the scope of application of the Weapons Act of 20 June 1997[^18]. An individual licence is required in every case for the temporary import of such war materiel with the ATA Carnet or in the procedure for temporary use.[^19]
2. Holders of initial licences and transport and haulage undertakings with a domicile or permanent establishment in Switzerland may apply for a general transit licence (GTL) for the transit of war materiel to countries of final destination that are listed in Annex 2.[^20]
3. The licensing authority may at any time demand from the licensee information on the nature, quantity, customs clearance data and end use of goods that are or have been imported or transported in transit in terms of a GIL or GTL; the obligation to provide information expires ten years after customs clearance.[^21]
4. The licensing authority shall refuse a GIL or a GTL if the natural person or legal entity or its management bodies in the two years prior to filing an application have been convicted with full legal effect of an offence under the WMA, the Goods Control Act of 13 December 1996[^22]or the Weapons Act of 20 June 1997. It shall refuse a GIL if there are grounds for refusal under Article 24 WMA.
5. The GIL or the GTL shall in such cases be refused for a period of one year; where there is justification, this period may be reduced to six months.

## **Section 4** Import Certificates {#sec_4}
##### **Art. 10** Import certificate {#sec_4/art_10 omnilex-key=ch-fedlex--514.511--10}
1. On written application from the importer, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) shall issue, in addition to the import licence, an official import certificate for the import of war materiel, provided:[^23]
a. this is expressly requested by the country supplying the war materiel; and
b.[^24] the applicant is domiciled or resident in Switzerland or in Liechtenstein.
2. It may make the issuing of import certificates subject to the provision of proof regarding the intended import (copies of orders, etc.) and the end use of the war materiel.
3. It shall monitor the import of goods in respect of which it has issued such certificates.

##### **Art. 11** Requirements {#sec_4/art_11 omnilex-key=ch-fedlex--514.511--11}
1. The importer must import the war materiel for which an import certificate has been issued within six months of the issue of the import certificate. This period may be extended in response to a justified written request.
2. He must prove to SECO that the import has taken place by providing the original customs documents and the relevant invoices from the supplier. Proof must be provided without delay following receipt of the original customs documents.[^25]

##### **Art. 12** Unused or partially used import certificates {#sec_4/art_12 omnilex-key=ch-fedlex--514.511--12}
1. If war materiel in respect of which an import certificate has been issued is not imported into Switzerland, the import certificate must be returned to SECO.
2. If the import certificate cannot be retrieved from the foreign authority or if only part of the authorised war materiel has been imported, then the importer must notify SECO[^26]of this in writing before the expiry of the period allowed for the import of the materiel.

## **Section 5** Licensing Procedure {#sec_5}
##### **Art. 12a** Licensing requirements {#sec_5/art_12_a omnilex-key=ch-fedlex--514.511--12a}
1. Licences shall only be granted to natural persons or legal entities who are resident or which have their seat or permanent establishment on Swiss customs territory or in a Swiss customs enclave. SECO may make exceptions in justified cases.
2. For a licence to be granted to a legal entity, proof of reliable internal control of compliance with the provisions of the war materiel legislation must be provided.

##### **Art. 13** Licensing authority {#sec_5/art_13 omnilex-key=ch-fedlex--514.511--13}
1. The licensing authority is SECO, subject to the reservation of paragraphs 2 and 3.[^27]
2. The responsibility for the transport of war materiel by foreign military units and their members on the ground is governed by the Ordinance of 13 November 2024[^28]on International Military Cooperation.[^29]
2bis. .[^30]
3. The responsibility for the transit of military and other state aircraft is governed by the Ordinance of 23 March 2005[^31]on the Protection of Airspace Sovereignty.[^32]

##### **Art. 14** Procedure {#sec_5/art_14 omnilex-key=ch-fedlex--514.511--14}
(Art. 29 WMA)
1. SECO shall decide on applications for the granting of an initial licence after consulting the Federal Intelligence Service (FIS).[^33]
2. In the case of the licensing of foreign transactions under Article 22 WMA and of entering into contract in terms of Article 20 WMA, SECO shall decide in consultation with the responsible offices of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). The decision of SECO shall also be taken in consultation with:[^34]
a. the responsible offices of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport[^35]in the case of security or procurement policy matters;
b. the Federal Office for Energy in the case of nuclear related matters;
c.[^36] the Federal Office of Civil Aviation and the responsible offices of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport in the case of transit with civilian aircraft.
2bis. SECO shall consult the FIS in the case of significant licensing proceedings.[^37]
3. The offices involved shall decide which applications are of major significance to foreign policy or security policy in accordance with Article 29 paragraph 2 WMA and must therefore be submitted to the Federal Council for decision.[^38]
4. If the offices involved are unable to agree on the treatment of a request in terms of paragraphs 2 or 3, the application shall be submitted to the Federal Council for decision.
5. The offices involved may in cases of minor significance or where there are precedents for the decision waive the requirement of a joint decision and authorise SECO to take a decision alone.

##### **Art. 15** Prohibition of assignment and term of validity {#sec_5/art_15 omnilex-key=ch-fedlex--514.511--15}
1. Initial, general and specific licences may not be assigned.
2. Import, export and transit licences are valid for two years and may be extended by a maximum of one year.[^39]
3. General import licences and general transit licences are valid for two years. If they have been issued on the basis of an initial licence, they cease to be valid on the expiry of the initial licence.

##### **Art. 16** Customs clearance {#sec_5/art_16 omnilex-key=ch-fedlex--514.511--16}
1. Customs clearance for import, export and transit is governed by the provisions of the customs legislation.
2. Any person or entity that imports or exports goods with a licence, or carries such goods in transit, must indicate the type of licence, issuing office and licence number in the customs declaration.[^40]

## **Section 6** Controls and Administrative Measures {#sec_6}
##### **Art. 17** Obligation to maintain records {#sec_6/art_17 omnilex-key=ch-fedlex--514.511--17}
1. Records must be maintained on the manufacture, purchase, sale, or brokerage of or any other form of trade in war materiel, as well as contracts entered into in terms of Article 20 WMA. The records must at all times disclose:
a. the entries, exits and stocks of war materiel;
b. the names and addresses of suppliers, purchasers and contractual parties;
c. the data and subject matter of commercial transactions.
2. The following documents must be available for inspection for a period of ten years in order to substantiate records:
a. invoices from suppliers;
b. copies of invoices addressed to purchasers and contractual parties; where payment is made in cash, receipts for the goods signed by the purchasers;
c. contracts relating to transactions relating to intellectual property including know-how pertaining to war materiel;
d.[^41] transport documents with details of the transit states.

##### **Art. 18** Duty of diligence {#sec_6/art_18 omnilex-key=ch-fedlex--514.511--18}
A person required to maintain records must, prior to handing over materiel or transferring intellectual property including know-how, ascertain by means of official identity documents the personal details and address of the purchaser or contractual party, if these are not already known to him.

##### **Art. 19** Controls {#sec_6/art_19 omnilex-key=ch-fedlex--514.511--19}
1. SECO carries out the controls.
2. Controls at the border are the responsibility of the FOCBS.[^42]

##### **Art. 20** Examination by the Central Office for the Combating the Illegal Trade in War Materiel {#sec_6/art_20 omnilex-key=ch-fedlex--514.511--20}
The Central Office for Combating the Illegal Trade in War Materiel must in particular examine whether supplies of war materiel have arrived at the planned and approved destinations.

##### **Art. 21** Administrative measures {#sec_6/art_21 omnilex-key=ch-fedlex--514.511--21}
1. General import and general transit licences may be revoked if exceptional circumstances so require. They shall be revoked if, following their granting, circumstances have changed to the extent that the requirements for refusal under Article 9*e* paragraph 4 are fulfilled.
2. If anyone fails to comply with the conditions or requirements attached to licences and import certificates, or regulations and orders the based on the legislation on war materiel, the licensing authority may revoke the licence that has been granted to him, or may refuse to extend or renew the licence, or to granted further licences or import certificates for a certain period of time.

## **Section 7** Fees {#sec_7}
##### **Art. 22** Fees {#sec_7/art_22 omnilex-key=ch-fedlex--514.511--22}
(Art. 31 WMA)
1. The licence fees are as follows:
a. for first issue of an initial licence, 500 francs;
b. for the subsequent amendment, modification or reissue of an initial licence, 250 francs;
c. for import and export licences: 0.8 per cent of the value of the goods, but with the minimum fee being 50 francs and the maximum 5000 francs;
d.[^43] for brokerage, trading, general import and general transit licences as well as licences for contracts under Article 20 WMA: 200 francs;
e.[^44] .
f.[^45] for specific transit licences: 100 francs.
2. The fees in terms of paragraph 1 letters a, b, d and f may, if exceptional costs are incurred in the granting of a licence, be increased by a maximum of one half of the stipulated fee.[^46]
3. If import or export licences are not or are only partially used, or if the licensed goods are returned, application may be made for the excess fee to be refunded, under deduction of the administrative costs. The application must be made at the latest three years following issue of the licence.
4. No fees are charged for import and export licences for war materiel that is intended for the Swiss Armed Forces, the FOCBS, for Swiss and Liechtenstein police forces or for international organisations or their offices in Switzerland.[^47]
5. No fees are charged for transit licences for:
a.[^48] firearms, and the ammunition pertaining thereto that are carried in transit by marksmen or hunters, provided they produce credible evidence that they are to be used for participating in a third country in a shooting competition, in shooting or other training or in a hunt;
b. war materiel that must be carried in transit through Switzerland in the course of police-type or judicial investigation proceedings in third countries;
c.[^49] .[^50]
6. No fees are charged for:
a. the rejection of licensing applications, or the suspension and recall of licences;
b. the extension of licences;
c. controls as under Article 19;
d. services, in particular responding to enquiries, company visits and information events.[^51]
7. In addition, the provisions of the General Fees Ordinance of 8 September 2004[^52]apply.[^53]

## **Section 8** Final Provisions {#sec_8}
##### **Art. 23** Implementation {#sec_8/art_23 omnilex-key=ch-fedlex--514.511--23}
1. SECO shall implement this Ordinance.
2. Information on the legislation on war materiel may be obtained from SECO.

##### **Art. 24** Repeal of current legislation {#sec_8/art_24 omnilex-key=ch-fedlex--514.511--24}
The Ordinance of 10 January 1973[^54]on War Materiel is repealed.

##### **Art. 24a** Transitional provision to the amendment of 19 September 2014 {#sec_8/art_24 omnilex-key=ch-fedlex--514.511--24_a}
Applications that are pending when the amendments of 19 September 2014 come into force are dealt with under the new law.

##### **Art. 24b** Transitional provision to the amendment of 30 March 2022 {#sec_8/art_24 omnilex-key=ch-fedlex--514.511--24_b}
1. Applications that are pending when the amendments of 30 March 2022 come into force are dealt with under the previous law.
2. The extension of export licencesthat were granted before theamendments of 30 March 2022 come into force is dealt with under the previous law.
3. A new application for a licence must be submitted for war materiel whose export was licensedbefore theamendments of 30 March 2022 come into forceand which could not be exported or could not be exported in full within the period of validity of the licence or its extension. The new application shall be dealt with under the previous law.

##### **Art. 25** . {#sec_8/art_25 omnilex-key=ch-fedlex--514.511--25}
1. and^2^.[^55]
3. .[^56]

##### **Art. 26** Commencement {#sec_8/art_26 omnilex-key=ch-fedlex--514.511--26}
This Ordinance comes into force on 1 April 1998.

(Art. 2)
### List of War Materiel {#annex_1/lvl_u1 omnilex-key=ch-fedlex--514.511--annex-1}
Note:<br />The goods listed as the Annex to the War Materiel Ordinance originate from the «Munitions List» (ML) in the Wassenaar Arrangement. The numbers allocated to the individual items correspond to those in the ML. Any goods that are not listed below, but which are contained in the ML are deemed to be «special military goods» and are subject to the provisions of the Goods Control Act of 13 December 1996 (SR **946.202** ).

#### Table of Contents {#annex_1/lvl_u1 omnilex-key=ch-fedlex--514.511--annex-1/lvl_u1}
| Item | Description of goods | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ML 1 | Hand guns and small arms of any calibre | |
| ML 2 | Weapons of any calibre (but excluding hand guns and small arms controlled by ML 1) | |
| ML 3 | Ammunition for the weapons controlled by ML 1, 2 or 12 | |
| ML 4 | Bombs, torpedoes, rockets, and missiles | |
| ML 5 | Fire control equipment | |
| ML 6 | Armoured vehicles and other ground vehicles | |
| ML 7 | Tear gases and other irritants | |
| ML 8 | Military explosives, combustible substances and fuels | |
| ML 9 | Vessels of war | |
| ML 10 | Manned and unmanned aircraft including aero-engines | |
| ML 11 | Electronic equipment | |
| ML 12 | High velocity kinetic energy weapons systems | |
| ML 13 | Special armoured or protective equipment | |
| ML 14 | (Contains no war materiel; listed in order that numbering corresponds to ML) | |
| ML 15 | (Contains no war materiel; listed in order that numbering corresponds to ML) | |
| ML 16 | Forgings, castings and other unfinished products | |
| ML 17 | Miscellaneous equipment (robots, etc.) | |
| ML 18 | (Contains no war materiel; listed in order that numbering corresponds to ML) | |
| ML 19 | Directed energy weapons systems (e.g. laser systems) | |
| ML 20 | Cryogenic (low temperature) and superconductive equipment | |
| ML 21 | Software | |
| ML 22 | (Contains no war materiel; listed in order that numbering corresponds to ML) | |
| ML 1 | Hand guns and small arms of any calibre and accessories and specially designed components therefor, but not including: a. Clearly recognisable hunting and sports weapons (e.g. as per ISSF standard) that cannot also be used as military weapons in the same form; b. Single-shot firearms and muzzle-loading firearms; c. Small arms and repeating rifles for rimfire ammunition; d. Antique weapons for which usable ammunition is no longer produced or which are no longer available on the public market. Note:<br>ML 1.d. also controls the following weapons: 1. Muskets, rifles and carbines manufactured before 1890 , and their reproductions; 2. Revolvers, pistols and machine guns manufactured before 1890 , and their reproductions. ML 1.a. to ML 1.d. also control weapons specially designed to fire dummy ammunition, which cannot fire ammunition controlled by ML 3. | |
| ML 2 | Note: <br>ML 2.a. includes injectors, metering devices, storage tanks and specially designed components for use with liquid propelling charges for any of the equipment controlled by ML 2.a.<br>Note: <br>ML 2.b. does not control signal pistols. | |
| ML 3 | Ammunition for weapons controlled by ML 1, ML 2 or ML 12 as well as specially designed components therefor Notes: 1. Specially designed components include: a. Metal or plastic components, e.g. primer anvils, bullet cups, cartridge links, rotating bands and other metal munitions parts; b. Safing and arming devices, fuses, sensors and initiation devices; c. Power supplies with high one-time operational output; d. Combustible cases for propelling charges; e. Submunitions including bomblets, minelets and terminally guided projectiles. 2. ML 3 does not control ammunition without a projectile (blank star) and dummy ammunition with a pierced powder chamber. | |
| ML 4 | Bombs, torpedoes, rockets, missiles and related equipment and accessories as follows, specially designed for military use, and specially designed components therefor:<br>Bombs, torpedoes, grenades, smoke canisters, rockets, mines, missiles, depth charges, demolition charges and accessories, military pyrotechnics, flares and manoeuvre ammunition (i.e. equipment, simulating the characteristics of any of the items controlled by ML 4). | |
| ML 5 | Fire control equipment specially designed for military use, as follows, as well as specially designed components and accessories therefor a. weapons sights, bombing computers, gun laying equipment and weapon control systems; b. target acquisition, designation, range-finding, surveillance or tracking systems; detection or data merger devices (data merger) and sensor integration equipment. | |
| ML 6 | Armoured and other ground vehicles, and components therefor, specially designed or modified for military use<br>Technical note: <br>The term «ground vehicles» in ML 6 also includes specially equipped trailers. | |
| ML 7 | Tear gases and other «riot control» agents:<br>1. CA: bromobenzyl cyanide (CAS-No. 5798-79-8);<br>2. CS: o- chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile (CAS-No. 2698-41-1);<br>3. CN: ω-chloroacetophenone (CAS-No. 532-27-4);<br>4. CR: Dibenz-b,f)1,4-oxazephine-b,f)1,4-oxazephine-(b,f)-1,4-oxazephine-(b,f)-1,4-oxazephine (CAS-No. 257-07-8). | |
| ML 8 | Military explosives and combustible agents, including fuels: a. Explosives and fuels that fulfil the following performance parameters: 1. Explosives with a detonation velocity exceeding 8700 m/s or a detonation pressure exceeding 34 GPa (340 kbar); 2. Organic explosives yielding a detonation pressure of 25 GPa (250 kbar) or more that will remain stable at temperatures of 250°C (523 K) or higher for periods of 5 min or longer; 3. Solid propellants in UN Class 1.1 with a theoretical specific impulse (under standard conditions) of more than 250 seconds for non-metalised, or more than 270 seconds for aluminised compositions; 4. Solid propellants in UN Class 1.3 with a theoretical specific impulse of more than 230 seconds for non-halogenised, 250 seconds for non-metalised, and 266 seconds for metalised compositions; 5. Propellent powder with a force constant exceeding 1200 kJ/kg; 6. Explosives, fuels or pyrotechnics that can sustain a steady-state linear burning rate of more than 38 mm/s at 6.89 MPa (68,9 bar) pressure and 21°C (294 K); or 7. Elastomer modified cast double base propellants (EMCDB) with an extensibility at maximum stress of more than 5% at -40 °C (233 K); b. Military pyrotechnics; c. Other substances as follows: 1. Aircraft fuels specially designed for military use; 2. Military materials containing thickeners for hydrocarbon fuels specially developed for use in flame throwers or incendiary munitions, such as metal stearates or palmates (octal) (CAS-No. 637-12-7) and M1, M2, and M3 thickeners; 3. Liquid oxidisers comprised of or containing inhibited red fuming nitric acid (IRFNA) or oxygen difluoride. Note:<br>Aircraft fuels that are controlled by ML 8.c.1. are finished products and not their constituents. | |
| ML 9 | Vessels of war and accessories as follows as well as components therefor, specially designed for military use: a. Combatant vessels or vessels (surface or underwater) specially designed or modified for offensive or defensive action, whether or not converted for non-military use, and regardless of current state of repair or operating condition or whether or not they contain weapons delivery systems or armour, as well as hulls or parts of hulls for such vessels; b. Engines as follows: 1. Diesel engines specially designed for submarines, with both of the following characteristics: a. power output of 1.12 MW (1500 PS) or more; and b. rotary speed of 700 rpm or more; 2. Electric motors specially designed for submarines, with all of the following characteristics: a. power output of more than 0.75 MW (1000 PS); b. quick reversing; c. liquid cooled; and d. totally enclosed; 3. Non-magnetic diesel engines with a power output of 37.3 kW (50 PS) or more and with a non-magnetic content of more than 75% of the total mass. | |
| ML 10 | Aircraft, unmanned aircraft, aero-engines, aircraft equipment, related equipment and components, specially designed or modified for military use, as follows: a. Combat aircraft and helicopters and specially designed components therefor; b. Other aircraft, specially designed or modified for military use; c. Aero-engines for aircraft under letters a and b above and specially designed components therefor; d. Unmanned aircraft including remotely piloted air vehicles (RPVs) and autonomous, programmable vehicles, specially designed or modified for military use, as well as their launchers, ground support equipment and related equipment for command and control. Notes: 1. ML 10.b. does not control aircraft or variants of such aircraft that are specially designed for military use that: a. are not configured for military use and are not fitted with technical equipment or attachments that are specially designed or modified for military use; and b. have been certified for civil use by a civil aviation authority in a participating state. 2. ML 10.c. does not control: a. Aero-engines designed or modified for military use that have been certified by the civil aviation authority of a participating state for use in civil aircraft, as well as specially designed components therefor; b. reciprocating engines or specially designed components therefor. 3. The control in ML 10.b. and ML 10.c. on specially designed components and related equipment for non-military aircraft or aero-engines modified for military use applies only to those military components and related military equipment required for the modification for military use. 4. ML 10.d does not include reconnaissance drones. | |
| ML 11 | Electronic equipment specially designed for military use not controlled elsewhere in this list, and specially designed components therefor<br>Note: | |
| ML 12 | High velocity kinetic energy weapon systems as follows, as well as specially designed components therefor:<br>Kinetic energy weapon systems specially designed for the destruction or defence against (mission abort) of a target. | |
| ML 13 | Special armoured or protective equipment and constructions and components, as follows: a. Armoured plate as follows: 1. manufactured to comply with military standard or specification; or 2. suitable for military use; b. Constructions of metallic and non-metallic materials or combinations thereof specially designed to provide ballistic protection for military systems. Note:<br>ML 13.b. includes materials specially designed to form explosive reactive armour or to construct military shelters. | |
| ML 14 | (Contains no war materiel; listed in order that numbering corresponds to ML) | |
| ML 15 | (Contains no war materiel; listed in order that numbering corresponds to ML) | |
| ML 16 | Forgings, castings and other unfinished products the use of which in a controlled product is identifiable by material composition, geometry or function, and which are specially designed for any products controlled by ML 1, ML 2, ML 3, ML 4, ML 6, ML 9, ML 10, ML 12 or ML 19 | |
| ML 17 | Miscellaneous equipment, materials and libraries, as follows, and specially designed components therefor: a. Robots, robot controllers and robot-end-effectors specially designed for Military use; b. Libraries (parametric technical databases) specially designed for military use with equipment controlled by this list; c. Nuclear power generating equipment or propulsion equipment including nuclear reactors, specially designed for military use, and components therefore specially designed or modified for military use. Technical Note:<br>For the purpose of ML 17, the term «library» (parametric technical database) means a collection of technical information of a military nature, reference to which may enhance the performance of military equipment or systems. | |
| ML 18 | (Contains no war materiel; listed in order that numbering corresponds to ML) | |
| ML 19 | Directed energy weapon systems as follows and specially designed components therefor: a. Laser systems specially designed for the destruction or defence against (mission abort) of a target; b. Particle beam systems capable of the destruction or defence against (mission abort) of a target; c. High power radio-frequency systems capable of the destruction or defence against (mission abort) of a target. Notes: 1. Directed energy weapon systems controlled by ML 19 include systems whose capability is derived from the controlled application of: a. lasers with sufficient continuous wave or pulsed power to effect destruction comparable with that of conventional ammunition; b. particle accelerators that project a charged or neutral particle beam with destructive power; c. radio frequency beam transmitters with high pulsed power or high average power that produce fields sufficiently intense to disable electronic circuitry in a distant target. 2. ML 19 includes the following when specially designed for directed energy weapon systems: a. Prime power generation, energy storage, switching, energy conditioning and fuel-handling equipment; b. Target acquisition and tracking systems; c. Systems for assessing target damage, destruction or mission abort; d. Beam-handling, propagation or pointing equipment; e. Equipment with rapid beam slew capability for rapid multiple target operations; f. Adaptive optics and phase conjugators; g. Current injectors for negative hydrogen ion beams; h. Space qualified accelerator components; i. Negative ion beam funnelling equipment; j. Equipment for controlling and slewing a high energy ion beam; k. Space qualified foils for neutralising negative hydrogen isotope beams. | |
| ML 20 | Note: <br>ML 20.a. includes mobile systems incorporating or employing accessories and components manufactured from non-metallic or non-electrical conductive materials, such as plastics or epoxy-impregnated materials.<br>Note: <br>ML 20.b. does not control direct-current hybrid, homopolar generators that have single-pole, normal metal armatures that rotate in a magnetic field produced by superconductive windings, provided those windings are the only superconductive component in the generator. | |
| ML 21 | Software, as follows:<br>Software specially designed or modified for the use of products that are controlled by this list. | |
| ML 22 | (Contains no war materiel; listed in order that numbering corresponds to ML) | |(Art. 6 and 7)
### List of countries where no specific licences are required in terms of Articles 6 and 7 WMO {#annex_2/lvl_u1 omnilex-key=ch-fedlex--514.511--annex-2}
Argentina

Australia

Belgium

Denmark

Germany

Finland

France

Greece

Great Britain

Ireland

Italy

Japan

Canada

Luxembourg

New Zealand

Netherlands

Norway

Austria

Poland

Portugal

Sweden

Spain

Czech Republic

Hungary

USA(Art. 6*a* para. 4)
### Schengen Association Agreements {#annex_3/lvl_u1 omnilex-key=ch-fedlex--514.511--annex-3}
The Schengen Association Agreements comprise:
a. the Agreement of 26 October 2004[^57]between the Swiss Confederation, the European Union and the European Community on the association of that State with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen Acquis (SAA);
b. the Agreement of 26 October 2004[^58]in the form of an exchange of letters between the Council of the European Union and the Swiss Confederation on the Committees that assist the European Commission in the exercise of its executive powers;
c. the Agreement of 17 December 2004[^59]between the Swiss Confederation, the Republic of Iceland and the Kingdom of Norway on the Implementation, Application and Development of the Schengen Acquis and on the Criteria and Procedure for determining the State responsible for examining an application for asylum lodged in Switzerland, Iceland or Norway;
d. the Agreement of 28 April 2005[^60]between the Swiss Confederation and the Kingdom of Denmark on the implementation, application and development of those parts of the Schengen Acquis that are based on the provisions of Title IV of the Treaty establishing the European Community;
e. the Protocol of 28 February 2008[^61]between the Swiss Confederation, the European Union, the European Community and the Principality of Liechtenstein on the accession of the Principality of Liechtenstein to the Agreement between the Swiss Confederation, the European Union and the European Community on the association of the Swiss Confederation with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen Acquis.

[^1]: AS **514.51**
[^2]: SR  **510.10**
[^3]: SR  **172.010**
[^4]: Amended by No I of the O of 21 Nov. 2001, in force since 1 March 2002 (AS  **2002**  312).
[^5]: Amended by No I of the O of 21 Nov. 2001, in force since 1 March 2002 (AS  **2002**  312).
[^6]: Amended by Annex 4 No 10 of the Customs Ordinance of 1 Nov. 2006, in force since 1 May 2007 (AS  **2007**  1469).
[^7]: Repealed by No I of the O of 21 Nov. 2001, with effect from 1 March 2002  (AS  **2002**  312).
[^8]: Amended by No I of the O of 21 Nov. 2001, in force since 1 March 2002 (AS  **2002**  312).
[^9]: Amended by No I of the O of 30 March 2022, in force since 1 May 2022 (AS  **2022**  227).
[^10]: Amended by No I of the O of 30 March 2022, in force since 1 May 2022 (AS  **2022**  227).
[^11]: Amended by No III 1 of the O of 17 Sept. 2021, in force since 1 Nov. 2021  (AS  **2021**  595).
[^12]: The name of this administrative unit was changed on 1 Jan. 2022 in application of Art. 20 para. 2 of the Publications Ordinance of 7 Oct. 2015 (SR  **170.512.1**  ) (AS  **2021**  589). This change has been made throughout the text.
[^13]: Term in accordance with Annex 4 No II 2 of the Weapons Ordinance of 2 July 2008, in force since 12 Dec. 2008 (AS  **2008**  5525). This amendment has been made throughout the text.
[^14]: Amended by No I of the O of 30 March 2022, in force since 1 May 2022 (AS  **2022**  227).
[^15]: Amended by No I of the O of 30 March 2022, in force since 1 May 2022 (AS  **2022**  227).
[^16]: SR  **514.54**
[^17]: SR  **514.54**
[^18]: SR  **514.54**
[^19]: Amended by No I of the O of 27 Aug. 2008, in force since 12 Dec. 2008 (AS  **2008**  5495).
[^20]: Amended by No I of the O of 27 Aug. 2008, in force since 12 Dec. 2008 (AS  **2008**  5495).
[^21]: Amended by Annex 4 No 10 of the Customs Ordinance of 1 Nov. 2006, in force since 1 May 2007 (AS  **2007**  1469).
[^22]: SR  **946.202**
[^23]: Amended by No I of the O of 21 Nov. 2001, in force since 1 March 2002 (AS  **2002**  312).
[^24]: Amended by No I of the O of 21 Nov. 2001, in force since 1 March 2002 (AS  **2002**  312).
[^25]: Amended by No I of the O of 30 March 2022, in force since 1 May 2022 (AS  **2022**  227).
[^26]: Title in accordance with Art. 21 No 4 of the O of 17 Nov. 1999, in force since 1 July 1999 (AS  **2000**  187). This amendment has been taken into account throughout this text.
[^27]: Amended by Art. 17 No 2 of the O of 13 Nov. 2024 on International Military Cooperation, in force since 1 Jan. 2025 (AS  **2024**  685).
[^28]: SR  **510.81**
[^29]: Amended by Art. 17 No 2 of the O of 13 Nov. 2024 on International Military Cooperation, in force since 1 Jan. 2025 (AS  **2024**  685).
[^30]: Inserted by Art. 50 No 3 of the Weapons Ordinance of 21 Sept. 1998, in its version of 16 March 2001 (AS  **2001**  1009). Repealed by No I of the O of 21 Nov. 2001, with effect from 1 March 2002 (AS **2001** 312).
[^31]: SR  **748.111.1**
[^32]: Amended by No I of the O of 19 Aug. 2015, in force since 1 Oct. 2015 (AS  **2015**  2943).
[^33]: Amended by Annex 4 No II 20 of the Ordinance of 4 Dec. 2009 on the Federal Intelligence Service, in force since 1 Jan. 2010 (AS  **2009**  6937).
[^34]: Amended by No I of the O of 19 Aug. 2015, in force since 1 Oct. 2015 (AS  **2015**  2943).
[^35]: Title in accordance with unpublished FCD dated 19 Dec. 1997.
[^36]: Inserted by No I of the O of 19 Aug. 2015, in force since 1 Oct. 2015 (AS  **2015**  2943).
[^37]: Inserted by No I of the O of 27 Aug. 2008 (AS  **2008**  5495). Amended by Annex 4 No II 20 of the Ordinance of 4 Dec. 2009 on the Federal Intelligence Service, in force since 1 Jan. 2010 (AS  **2009**  6937).
[^38]: Amended by No I of the O of 21 Nov. 2001, in force since 1 March 2002 (AS  **2002**  312).
[^39]: Amended by No I of the O of 29 Jan. 2025, in force since 1 March 2025 (AS  **2025**  76).
[^40]: Inserted by No III 1 of the O of 17 Sept. 2021, in force since 1 Nov. 2021 (AS  **2021**  595).
[^41]: Inserted by Schedule 2 No 2 of the O of 21 Nov. 2012, in force since 1 Jan. 2013  (AS  **2012**  6781).
[^42]: Amended by No I of the O of 27 Aug. 2008, in force since 12 Dec. 2008 (AS  **2008**  5495).
[^43]: Amended by No I of the O of 21 Nov. 2001, in force since 1 March 2002 (AS  **2002**  312).
[^44]: Repealed by No I of the O of 21 Nov. 2001, with effect from 1 March 2002  (AS  **2002**  312).
[^45]: Inserted by No I of the O of 21 Nov. 2001, in force since 1 March 2002 (AS  **2002**  312).
[^46]: Amended by No I of the O of 21 Nov. 2001, in force since 1 March 2002 (AS  **2002**  312).
[^47]: Amended by No I of the O of 21 Nov. 2001, in force since 1 March 2002 (AS  **2002**  312).
[^48]: Amended by No I of the O of 27 Aug. 2008, in force since 12 Dec. 2008 (AS  **2008**  5495).
[^49]: Repealed by No I of the O of 27 Aug. 2008, with effect from 12 Dec. 2008 (AS  **2008**  5495).
[^50]: Inserted by No I of the O of 21 Nov. 2001, in force since 1 March 2002 (AS  **2002**  312).
[^51]: Inserted by No I of the O of 16 June 2006, in force since 1 Aug. 2006 (AS  **2006**  2671).
[^52]: SR  **172.041.1**
[^53]: Inserted by No I of the O of 16 June 2006, in force since 1 Aug. 2006 (AS  **2006**  2671).
[^54]: [AS  **1973**  116, **1978**  199, **1980**  536Art. 91, **1987**  791, **1992**  2497, **1996**  1035No II, **1997**  17Art. 38 No 2]
[^55]: Repealed by No I of the O of 21 Nov. 2001, with effect from 1 March 2002 (AS  **2002**  312).
[^56]: Inserted by No I of the Ordinance on War Materiel of Nov. 2001 (AS  **2002**  312). Repealed by No IV 14 of the O of 22 Aug. 2007 on the formal revision of the FA, with effect from 1 Jan. 2008 (AS  **2007**  4477).
[^57]: SR  **0.362.31**
[^58]: SR  **0.362.1**
[^59]: SR  **0.362.32**
[^60]: SR  **0.362.33**
[^61]: SR  **0.362.311**