Unladen weight (also called empty weight or basic empty weight) is the weight of the helicopter including standard equipment, unusable fuel, and full operating fluids, but excluding payload, crew, and usable fuel. The manufacturer's weight and balance report or the aircraft's type certificate data sheet are the standard documentation used to establish this figure for CBP classification purposes.

Classification as military depends on the helicopter's design, configuration, and intended end use. Aircraft built to military specifications, equipped with military-specific systems, or sold to a foreign military are generally classified as military. Commercially configured helicopters — even if purchased by a government agency for non-combat roles — are typically classified as non-military. CBP may request end-use documentation or the manufacturer's specification sheet to verify the correct line.