Export Controls - The Goal
Export control regulations are federal laws that prohibit the unlicensed export of certain commodities or information for reasons of national security or protections of trade. Export controls usually arise for one or more of the following reasons:
- The nature of the export has actual or potential military applications or economic protection issues
- Government concerns about the destination country, organization, or individual, and
- Government concerns about the declared or suspected end use or the end user of the export
Most exports do not require government licenses. However, licenses are required for exports that the U. S. government considers "license controlled" under:
The Department of Commerce's Export Administration Regulations (EAR) http://www.access.gpo.gov/bis/ear/ear_data.html (also known as the Commerce Control List). The EAR is concerned with dual-use items, such as computers or pathogens, that are designed for commercial use but have the potential for military application
The Department of State's International Traffic In Arms Regulations (ITAR) http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_05/22cfr121_05.html (also known as the U.S. Munitions List) cover defense-related items and services.
In addition, the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions that have been imposed against specific countries based on reasons of foreign policy, national security, or international agreements. Full descriptions of all countries currently subject to boycott programs are available at http://www.ustreas.gov/offices/enforcement/lists/.
