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U.S. Department of State
95/06/08 Fact Sheet: US Exports: Foreign Policy Controls
Bureau of Public Affairs
Fact Sheet: U.S. Exports: Foreign Policy Controls
Exports are vital to the U.S. economy. They provide jobs and enable the
country to import goods to meet domestic demand. The U.S. imposes
certain controls, however, to ensure that exports are consistent with
U.S. foreign policy requirements. Most controls apply to sensitive
dual-use equipment and technology that could support activities contrary
to U.S. national security and foreign policy interests. They affect
less than 5% of the value of current exports. The controls relate to
specific foreign policy concerns worldwide and/or to specific countries
of concern under the authority of the 1979 Export Administration Act
(EAA).
Foreign Policy Export Controls
Counter-Terrorism Controls. Using EAA Section 6(j) authority, the
Secretary of State has designated Cuba, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Libya,
Sudan, and Syria as countries that repeatedly have provided support for
international terrorism. Broad, country-specific export controls are in
place for these countries.
Crime Control Equipment. These controls regulate the export of crime
control and detection instruments, equipment, and related technology to
all countries, except to NATO member countries or to Japan, Australia,
and New Zealand. Generally, licenses are issued unless the U.S. has
human rights concerns about the government of the importing country or
about the ultimate consignee.
Regional Stability. Exports of equipment used to manufacture military
arms and equipment and some military transportation equipment are
reviewed to ensure that such exports would not contribute to the
destabilization of the region or country of destination.
Anti-Apartheid. The U.S. prohibits the export to South Africa of all
military and police equipment and all items covered by the UN mandatory
arms embargo.
Missile Technology. The U.S. cooperates with other countries in the
peaceful uses and exploration of space but seeks to halt the development
of unmanned delivery systems for weapons of mass destruction.
Worldwide, the U.S. controls the export of munitions and commercial,
dual-use equipment and technology that could be used to develop such
systems.
Chemical/Biological Weapons. The U.S. works with other countries to halt
the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons (CBW). To this
end, the U.S. controls the export to all destinations of a broad range
of microorganisms and toxins. Exports of 54 precursor chemicals are
controlled worldwide, except to Australia Group countries. Exports of
certain dual-use equipment that may be relevant to chemical or
biological weapons programs are controlled to specific regions and
states. All commodities subject to CBW controls are prohibited to
countries that provide support for international terrorism, including
Cuba, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Libya, Sudan, and Syria.
Nuclear Controls. The U.S. assists other countries in using atomic
energy for peaceful purposes, but also seeks to halt the spread of
nuclear weapons. Exports of nuclear items are controlled under the 1954
Atomic Energy Act, as amended by the 1978 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act.
Nuclear transfers (e.g., reactors, nuclear fuel, and other products)
require either rigorous bilateral Agreements for Cooperation with the
recipient country to ensure that IAEA safeguards and adequate physical
protection are observed or separate government assurances regarding
safeguards, no nuclear explosive use, and retransfers. Commerce-
licensed, nuclear-related, dual-use commodities may require various
other conditions. These can include recipient government assurances,
end-user statements, post installation checks, or other license
conditions.
Short Supply. Controls occasionally are necessary to protect the
domestic economy from an excessive drain on scarce materials. Congress
has legislated restrictions on the export of crude oil, unprocessed
Western red cedar logs, and horses for export by sea (to prevent
unauthorized slaughter abroad).
Supercomputers. The U.S. requires the licensing of supercomputer
exports worldwide, except to Canada and Japan.
U.S. Treasury Department Transaction Controls
The U.S. Treasury Department controls U.S. trade and financial
transactions with Cuba, Iraq, North Korea, Libya, Vietnam, and
Serbia/Montenegro. It also controls transactions with Haiti and
regulates imports from Iran. Certain exceptions to these controls are
granted under general or specific licenses issued by the Treasury
Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control. Contact the licensing
office at (202) 622-2480.
Guidance for Exporters
For regulatory advice on foreign policy export controls, consult the
U.S. Export Administration Regulations (15 CFR 730-799, revised
annually). Copies are available from the U.S. Government Printing
Office (tel. 202-783-3238, stock no. 903-014-00000-8) and the U.S.
Department of Commerce's Exporter Counseling Division (tel. 202-482-
4811). For additional information, consult the annual foreign policy
report to the Congress, which also is available from the Bureau of
Export Administration, Department of Commerce.
For information on the Treasury Department's trade and financial
controls on Cuba, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Libya,
Serbia/Montenegro, and Vietnam, call the Treasury Department's Office of
Foreign Assets Control at 202-622-2520 and the U.S. Department of
Commerce's Office of Exporter Services, Export Counseling Division at
202-483-4811.
June 8, 1995
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