FAQs

What are export controls?

Export controls are administered by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) in the U.S. Department of Commerce, and are described in detail in the official publication U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Whenever there is any doubt about how to comply with export regulations and licensing procedures, Department of Commerce officials or qualified professional consultants should be contacted for assistance.

The Department of Commerce controls exports for the following reasons:

To advance the foreign policy of the United States, or to fulfill its declared international obligations; To restrict exports that would be detrimental to the national security of the United States; To protect the domestic economy from the excessive drain of materials that are in short supply and to reduce the serious inflationary impact of foreign demand.

Exports not controlled by the Department of Commerce are controlled by the following agencies:

Patent and Trademark Office (unclassified technical data contained in patent applications); Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (certain business dealings involving U.S. persons and embargoed countries, and all exports to Libya at the time of this writing); Department of the Interior (endangered fish and wildlife, migratory birds, and bald and golden eagles); Department of Agriculture (any tobacco seed and/or live tobacco plants); U.S. Maritime Administration (certain water craft); Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration (exports of certain narcotics and dangerous drugs); Department of State, Office of Defense Trade Controls (arms, ammunition, and implements of war, and related technical data).

In addition, exporters of food products should contact the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Compliance Division, (202) 205-4726, to ensure that all foreign regulations, documents, and certification requirements are met.

REG FAQ #0040