Foreign Article Acceptance

FAR 21.502 — Foreign Article Acceptance

FAR 21.502 explains when an article made in a foreign country is accepted by the FAA, including bilateral agreements, marking, and export airworthiness approval.

In Plain English

FAR 21.502 sets the conditions under which an article (such as a part or appliance, including one made under a TSO letter of design approval) that is manufactured in a foreign country or jurisdiction can be accepted for use in the United States.

For the FAA to accept a foreign-made article, all three of the following must be true:

The country or jurisdiction where it was made must be covered by a bilateral agreement with the U.S. that addresses acceptance of that article.
The article must be marked in accordance with Part 45 (identification and registration marking rules).
An export airworthiness approval must have been issued under that agreement for the article to be imported into the U.S.

Why it matters operationally: As a pilot or maintenance customer, this rule is your assurance that foreign-built parts installed on U.S. aircraft meet FAA standards. If any of the three conditions is missing, the article isn't acceptable for installation under this subchapter.

Regulation Text

14 CFR § 21.502

§ 21.502 Acceptance of articles. An article (including an article produced under a letter of TSO design approval) manufactured in a foreign country or jurisdiction meets the requirements for acceptance under this subchapter if— (a) That country or jurisdiction is subject to the provisions of an agreement with the United States for the acceptance of that article; (b) That article is marked in accordance with part 45 of this chapter; and (c) An export airworthiness approval has been issued in accordance with the provisions of that agreement for that article for import into the United States.

Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask

Q1What conditions must be met for an article manufactured in a foreign country to be accepted under this subchapter?

Per FAR 21.502, the country must be subject to an acceptance agreement with the U.S., the article must be marked in accordance with Part 45, and an export airworthiness approval must have been issued under that agreement for import into the U.S.

Q2Does FAR 21.502 apply to articles produced under a letter of TSO design approval?

Yes. FAR 21.502 specifically states that articles, including those produced under a letter of TSO design approval, are covered when manufactured in a foreign country or jurisdiction.

Q3If a foreign-made part is properly marked under Part 45 but no export airworthiness approval was issued, can it be accepted?

No. FAR 21.502(c) requires that an export airworthiness approval be issued under the applicable agreement for import into the U.S., so without it the article does not meet the acceptance requirements.

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Related Sections in Part 21

§ 21.1

Certification Procedures

§ 21.101

Type Certificate Changes