Resources to Help Manufacturers Understand Export Controls

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United States Department of Commerce Oct 07, 2014

On October 3, on Manufacturing Day, American manufacturers will be celebrated for the contributions they make toward U.S. job creation, innovation and a strong, competitive U.S. economy.  With the recent creation of more than 700,000 new manufacturing jobs, the increased growth rate experienced by the U.S. manufacturing sector is almost twice the rate of growth in the overall economy.  To accelerate this growth even more, manufacturers may sell their products in international markets, which comprise two-thirds of the world’s purchasing power.

Many commodities and technologies manufactured in and exported from the United States are used only for commercial purposes, but some also have military applications.  Items with recognized civilian and military applications include, for example, numerically controlled machine tools, advanced electronics, and high-performance computers.  The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) licenses the export of such commodities, as well as related software and technology.  BIS administers export control laws and regulations to strengthen U.S. national security and foreign policy objectives, such as preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction. 

Currently, BIS is at the forefront of changes to the U.S. export control system related to the Administration’s Export Control Reform initiative.  A key element of the reform is moving tens of thousands of items—mostly parts and components—from the State Department’s jurisdiction to the Commerce Department, which will provide greater flexibility for U.S. companies to engage in export trade.      

On the BIS website, there are several resources to help manufacturers and exporters understand the licensing system, changes under Export Control Reform, and how to set up effective compliance safeguards.  Here are a few resources to help manufacturers export your items:

1. The Exporter Portal is an information hub for those who are ready to undertake growth opportunities and begin exporting.  The resources offered here can help you determine what needs to be done before your items are shipped or transferred to foreign persons, entities, or companies.  One tool, for example, the export control classification interactive tool, helps users identify the steps to classify their items that are subject to the Export Administration Regulations.
2. Another helpful tool is the Consolidated Screening List, a downloadable file that consolidates export screening lists of the Departments of Commerce, State and the Treasury into one spreadsheet to assist in screening potential parties to regulated transactions.  The BIS website, Lists of Parties of Concern, contains additional information on the BIS lists.
3. BIS maintains an online training room that contains archived Webinars with easy-to-use information for exporters to comply with the Export Administration Regulations.  The training modules, which are available for download, include information on compliance requirements and recent regulatory changes.  The website also includes Frequently Asked Questions, which provide guidance to exporters on key policy issues.  
4. BIS’s Office of Technology Evaluation (OTE) analyzes trade data, the impact of export controls on U.S. interests, and the capabilities of the U.S. defense industrial base.  OTE publishes sector-specific assessments and studies.  The office also administers BIS’s Technical Advisory Committees (TACs), industry groups that advise the Bureau on a range of technical, regulatory and policy issues. 
5. BIS’s Outreach and Educational Services Division in Washington DC, along with the Western Regional Office located in Newport Beach CA, conduct approximately 25 training seminars annually that educate exporters on the Export Administration Regulations.  Training seminars on complying with U.S. export controls are offered regularly across the country.  The current seminar schedule is available on the BIS website.

To find additional resources for manufacturers who are interested in bolstering growth by exporting, please visit the BIS website at www.bis.doc.gov.

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