Includes the U.S. government export controls that companies need to abide by when exporting to this country.
Last Published: 6/13/2019

The United States imposes export controls to protect national security interests and promote foreign policy objectives.  The United States also participates in various multilateral export control regimes to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and prevent destabilizing accumulations of conventional weapons and related material.  The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) administers U.S. laws, regulations and policies governing the export and reexport of commodities, software, and technology (collectively “items”) falling under the jurisdiction of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).  The primary goal of BIS is to advance national security, foreign policy, and economic objectives by ensuring an effective export control and treaty compliance system and promoting continued U.S. strategic technology leadership.  BIS also enforces anti-boycott laws and coordinates with U.S. agencies and other countries on export control, nonproliferation and strategic trade issues.

BIS is responsible for implementing and enforcing the EAR, which regulate the export and reexport of items with chiefly commercial uses that can also be used in conventional arms, weapons of mass destruction, terrorist activities, or human rights abuses; and  less sensitive military items;  including “production” and “development” technology.

BIS’s Export Administration reviews license applications for exports, reexports and deemed exports (technology transfers to foreign nationals in the United States) subject to the EAR.  Through its Office of Exporter Services, Export Administration also provides information on BIS programs, conducts seminars on complying with the EAR, provides guidance on licensing requirements and procedures, and presents an annual Update Conference on Export Controls and Policy as an outreach program to industry.  EA’s Office of Technology Evaluation analyzes U.S. export data on items subject to the EAR, BIS license application data, and global trade information to assess data trends.  OTE’s data portal provides excerpts from statistical reports, along with data sets to enable the public to perform analyses of exports and licensing on its own.

U.S. exporters should consult the EAR for information on how export license requirements may apply to the sale of their goods.  If necessary, a commodity classification request may be submitted in order to obtain BIS assistance in determining how an item is controlled (i.e., the item’s classification) and the applicable licensing policy.  Exporters may also request a written advisory opinion from BIS about application of the EAR to a specific situation.  Information on commodity classifications, advisory opinions, and export licenses can be obtained through the BIS website at www.bis.doc.gov or by contacting the Office of Exporter Services at the following numbers:

Washington, D.C. Tel: (202) 482-4811 Fax: (202) 482-3322
Western Regional Office Tel: (949) 660-0144 Fax: (949) 660-9347
Further information on export controls is available at:
Commerce Control List
 
BIS has developed a list of "red flags," or warning signs, intended to discover possible violations of the EAR.
Also, BIS has "Know Your Customer" guidance

BIS provides a variety of training sessions to U.S. exporters throughout the year.  These sessions range from one to two day seminars and focus on the basics of exporting as well as more advanced topics.  A list of upcoming seminars can be found online.

The EAR does not control all goods, services, and technologies.  Other U.S. Government agencies regulate more specialized exports.  For example, the U.S. Department of State’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls has authority over defense articles and services.  A list of other agencies involved in export control can be found on the BIS Website or in Supplement No. 3 to Part 730 of the EAR, which is available on the Government Printing Office Website.

A list that consolidates eleven export screening lists of the Departments of Commerce, State and the Treasury into a single search as an aid to industry in conducting electronic screens of potential parties to regulated transactions is available here:
Consolidated Screening List

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.