Includes the U.S. government export controls that companies need to abide by when exporting to this country.
Last Published: 6/21/2019

Includes the U.S. government export controls that companies need to abide by when exporting to this country.

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is responsible for implementing and enforcing the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), which regulate the export and re-export of some commercial items, including “production” and “development” technology.
 
The items that BIS regulates are often referred to as “dual use” since they have both commercial and military applications.  Further information on export controls is available on the BIS website on Exporting Basics.  BIS has developed a list of "red flags," or warning signs, intended to discover possible violations of the EAR. These are posted at Enforcement – Red Flags:  For more information, please visit BIS at "Know Your Customer".
 
If there is reason to believe a violation is taking place or has occurred, report it to the
Department of Commerce by calling the 24-hour hotline at 1(800) 424-2980 or via the confidential lead page.
 
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 has authority over defense articles and services. A list of other agencies involved in export control can be found on the BIS web.
 
It is important to note that in August 2009, the President directed a broad-based interagency review of the U.S. export control system, with the goal of strengthening national security and the competitiveness of key U.S. manufacturing and technology sectors by focusing on current threats, as well as adapting to the changing economic and technological landscape. As a result, the Administration launched the Export Control Reform Initiative (ECR Initiative) which is designed to enhance U.S. national security and strengthen the United States’ ability to counter threats such as the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
 
The Administration is implementing the reform in three phases. Phases I and II reconcile various definitions, regulations, and policies for export controls, all the while building toward Phase III, which will create a single control list, single licensing agency, unified information technology system, and enforcement coordination center. As of August 2015, Phase I is complete, and Phase II is nearing completion.

For additional information visit ECR.

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. For a list of upcoming seminars visit: Seminars and Training.

For further details about the Bureau of Industry and Security and its programs, please visit the BIS.

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 AP

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.