Getting Export Licensing Assistance

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Applying for an Export License

If an export license is required, the best and fastest way to submit an export license application is to use the on-line Simplified Network Application Process Redesign (SNAP-R). Visit the SNAP-R section of the BIS Website for more information on signing up to be a SNAP-R user.

Exporters may prepare an original Form BIS-748P, "Multipurpose Application Form," and submit it for review and approval. The application form can be used for requesting authority to export or reexport, or to request BIS to classify your item for you. Requirements for submitting a license application are detailed in Part 748 of the EAR. Exporters may request form BIS-748P.

To order forms, you may submit a request by fax at (202) 219-9179 or call our Exporter Counseling Division at (202) 482-4811 or our Western Regional Office at (949) 660-0144, or you can use the order form found on this Web site.

Exporters must be certain to follow the instructions on the form carefully. In most cases, technical brochures and support documentation must also be included.

Export License Application Processing

Our agency conducts a complete analysis of the license application along with all documentation submitted in support of the application. We review the item, its destination, its end use, and consider the reliability of each party to the transaction. In addition to our review, applications are often sent for interagency review by the Departments of State, Energy, and/or Defense. For information concerning the review policy for various controls go to the Government Printing Office Web site and consult Parts 742 and 750 of the EAR.

You may contact us for the status of your pending export license application and commodity classification request by telephoning our System for Tracking Export License Applications (STELA) at 202-482-2752. STELA is an automated voice response system that will provide you with up-to-the-minute status on any license application or commodity classification pending with us. A touch tone phone is required to use this service. You will need the Application Control Number (ACN) of your license application in order to determine licensing status.

How to Avoid Delays

Submitting your export license application over the Internet through SNAP-R is the fastest way to get your export application and support documentation submitted for processing.

If submitting a hard copy application through the mail, exporters should take care to avoid common errors that often account for delays in processing:

Failing to sign the application.
Failure to submit a typewritten application.
Inadequately responding to section 21 of the application, where the specific end use of the products or technical data is to be described. Exporters must be specific. Answering vaguely or entering “unknown” is likely to delay the application process or even cause a rejection of the application.
Inadequately responding to section 22(j) of the application, “Description of Commodity or Technical Data,” which calls for a description of the item or items to be exported. Exporters must be specific, and are encouraged to attach additional material to explain the product fully.
We strongly recommend using a commercial courier service to deliver applications to BIS as mail deliveries significantly delay receipt of correspondence.