FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 47: Transportation › Subpart 47.3

FAR 47.301-3 Using the Defense Transportation System (DTS).

The codified text (eCFR, as of 2026-10-02). Under the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul ↗, agencies follow class deviations with new text for many parts while the formal rules go through the Federal Register: check the solicitation and your contract's clauses, which rule.

In plain English

This section requires that shipments moving through the Defense Transportation System follow DoD Regulation 4500.9-R, Defense Transportation Regulation Part II. Contracting activities must include these requirements in applicable contracts and enforce them. Contractors must provide shipment information to a designated contract administration office and cannot ship directly to a military air or water port terminal without authorization.

Applies to: Military and civilian agencies shipping through the DTS, and Government contractors arranging such shipments

What it requires

  • Follow DoD 4500.9-R, Defense Transportation Regulation Part II for shipments moving in the DTS
  • Provide necessary information to the designated contract administration office for documentation, movement control, and shipment marking/freight routing
  • Do not ship directly to a military air or water port terminal without authorization from the designated contract administration office

Key terms: Defense Transportation System (DTS) · DoD 4500.9-R, Defense Transportation Regulation Part II · contract administration office · terminal clearances · shipment marking

Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.

The text

(a) All military and civilian agencies shipping, or arranging for the acquisition and shipment by Government contractors, through the use of military-controlled transport or through military transshipment facilities shall follow Department of Defense (DoD) Regulation DoD 4500.9-R, Defense Transportation Regulation Part II. This establishes uniform procedures and documents for the generation, documentation, communication, and use of transportation information, thus providing the capability for control of shipments moving in the DTS. DoD 4500.9-R, Defense Transportation Regulation Part II has been implemented on a world-wide basis.

(b) Contracting activities are responsible for (1) ensuring that the requirements of the DoD 4500.9-R, Defense Transportation Regulation Part II regulation are included in appropriate contracts for all applicable shipments and (2) enforcing these requirements with regard to shipments under their control. This includes requirements relating to documentation, marking, advance notification of shipment dates, and terminal clearances.

(c) Contractual documents shall designate a contract administration office (see 42.202(a)) as the contact point to which the contractor will provide necessary information to (1) effect DoD 4500.9-R, Defense Transportation Regulation Part II documentation and movement control, including air or water terminal shipment clearances; and (2) obtain data necessary for shipment marking and freight routing. Contractual documents shall specify that the contractor shall not ship directly to a military air or water port terminal without authorization from the designated contract administration office (see 47.305-6(f)).

Sections it refers to

  • 42.202 Assignment of contract administration.
  • 47.305-6 Shipments to ports and air terminals.

Sections that refer to it

  • 47.305-6 Shipments to ports and air terminals.

← 47.301-2 Participation of transportation officers. · 47.302 Place of delivery—f.o.b. point. →

Rule changes for FAR Part 47

Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.

FAR 47.301-3 Using the Defense Transportation System (DTS) · SpendQuery