U.S. Governing Agencies
U.S. International Trade Commission
The Commission has five major operations that serve its external customers:

• Import Injury Investigations
• Intellectual Property-Based Import Investigations
• Industry and Economic Analysis
• Tariff and Trade Information Services
• Trade Policy Support

Bureau of Industry & Security (BIS)
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is responsible for implementing and enforcing the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), which regulate the export and reexport of most commercial items. A comprehensive list of Prohibited/Restricted Parties is located on this site. This list must be checked before exporting. Free online training is also available.

Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC)
The U.S. Government views the sale, export, and re-transfer of defense articles and defense services as an integral part of safeguarding U.S. national security and furthering U.S. foreign policy objectives. The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC), in accordance with 22 U.S.C. 2778-2780 of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 CFR Parts 120-130), is charged with controlling the export and temporary import of defense articles and defense services covered by the United States Munitions List (USML).

U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP)
Customs and Border Protection is one of the Department of Homeland Security’s largest and most complex components, with a priority mission of keeping terrorists and their weapons out of the U.S. This agency is also responsible for securing and facilitating trade and travel while enforcing hundreds of U.S. regulations, including immigration and drug laws.

U.S. Treasury – Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions based on US foreign policy and national security goals against targeted foreign countries and regimes, terrorists, international narcotics traffickers, those engaged in activities related to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and other threats to the national security, foreign policy or economy of the United States.

Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent United States government agency. The FCC was established by the Communications Act of 1934 and is charged with regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable. The FCC's jurisdiction covers the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. possessions.

U.S. Food & Drug Administration
The Food and Drug Administration is the federal agency responsible for ensuring that foods are safe, wholesome and sanitary; human and veterinary drugs, biological products, and medical devices are safe and effective; cosmetics are safe; and electronic products that emit radiation are safe. FDA also ensures that these products are honestly, accurately and informatively represented to the public.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has created a strategic plan to implement its vision. The framework of this plan depends on these key activities:

• Expanding markets for agricultural products and support international economic development
• Further developing alternative markets for agricultural products and activities
• Providing financing needed to help expand job opportunities and improve housing
• Utilities and infrastructure in rural America
• Enhancing food safety by taking steps to reduce the prevalence of foodborne hazards from farm to table
• Improving nutrition and health by providing food assistance and nutrition education and promotion
• Managing and protecting America's public and private lands working cooperatively with other levels of government and the private sector

Export Regulations
Export Administration Regulations (EAR) Database
The Export Administration Regulations administered by the Bureau of Industry and Security, among other things, provides specific instructions on the use and types of export licenses required for certain commodities, software, and technology. These regulations are located in 15 CFR parts 730 through 774.

International Traffic In Arms Regulations (ITAR)
The International Traffic in Arms Regulations is a set of United States government regulations that control the export and import of defense-related articles and services on the United States Munitions List.

Product Classification
Schedule B Search Engine
The U.S. defines products using 10-digit HTS codes. Exports codes (which the U.S. calls Schedule B) are administered by the U.S. Census Bureau. This resource allows you to search for a Schedule B number by keyword.

Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS)
This website contains the chapter-by-chapter listing of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the U.S. and general notes. The links correspond to the various sections in the Table of Contents for the Harmonized Tariff Schedule.

Customs Rulings Online Search System (CROSS)
CROSS is a searchable database of Customs and Border Protection rulings that can be retrieved based on simple or complex search characteristics using keywords and Boolean operators. CROSS has the added functionality of CROSS referencing rulings from the initial search result set with their modified, revoked or referenced counterparts.

Other Compliance Resources
Informed Compliance Publications
Customs and Border Protection has a number of Informed Compliance publications (ICPs) in the "What Every Member of the Trade Community Should Know About" series. As of the date of this posting, the subjects listed are available for reading or downloading.

Denied Parties List
The Denied Parties List on the Bureau of Industry & Security website is the first stop before moving forward with your business transaction.