The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) of the U.S. Department of Commerce is responsible for licensing products that are “dual-use,” or have both commercial and military or proliferation applications. Relatively few exports require a dual use export license.
Dual use licenses are required in certain situations involving national security, foreign policy, short-supply, nuclear non-proliferation, missile technology, chemical and biological weapons, regional stability, crime control, or terrorist concerns. The license requirements are dependent upon an item's technical characteristics, the destination, the end-use, and the end-user, and other activities of the end-user. Before shipping your product, make sure you understand the concept of dual use and the basic export control regulations.
Is a License Required?
The first step in establishing whether a dual-use product requires a license is to find the product’s Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) on the Commerce Control List (CCL) and by reviewing regional considerations. All exporters also need to screen the parties involved in an international transaction against the “Prohibited Parties Lists.” These lists are listed below and include entities with which an exporter is prohibited from doing business, under most circumstances.
![]() | Denied Persons List - List of persons to whom export privileges are denied by written order of the Department of Commerce. |
![]() | Unverified List - includes names and countries of foreign persons who in the past were parties to a transaction with respect to which BIS could not conduct a pre-license check ("PLC") or a post-shipment verification ("PSV") for reasons outside of the U.S. Government's control. |
![]() | Entity List - These end users have been determined to present an unacceptable risk of diversion to developing weapons of mass destruction or the missiles used to deliver those weapons. |
![]() | Specially Designated Nationals List - Alphabetical master list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons |
![]() | Debarred List - Defense Trade Controls List |
Due to the frequency of additions and changes to these lists, U.S. exporters need to check these lists regularly for updates.
Submitting a License Application
If you need a license for your export, the Simplified Network Applications Process (SNAP) allows registered users to submit export and re-export license applications, to request commodity classifications, and agricultural license exception.
Reporting a Possible Violation
Export Enforcement relies heavily on the partnership it has with the business community. An online form is available to report a lead or a tip on possible export control, Fastener Quality Act (FQA), Chemical Weapons Convention Regulation (CWCR) or boycott related violations.
Additional Information
To learn more about BIS export licensing, start with the Export Basics at the BIS website or call the BIS’s Office of Exporter Services in Washington, DC, (202-482-4811) or in Newport Beach, CA, (949-660-0144), and they can guide you through this process.
For additional guidance on export licensing or about exporting in general, please call the Trade Information Center (TIC) at (800) USA-TRAD(e) or your local export assistance center.