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MERCHANDISE

Classification | Commodity Control List | Country of Destination | Currency Restrictions

Classification

A number of federal agencies and offices are involved in the regulation of exports from the United States.  Exports are generally regulated on one of two bases - the nature of the export or the destination of the export.  Exports regulated because of the nature of the export are normally high technology or potentially dangerous products the export of which could harm the national security.  These controlled exports are either set forth on the Commodity Control List and controlled by the Bureau of Industry and Security of the Department of Commerce or are controlled by some other federal agency.  A second set of controls are imposed because of the country of destination of the export.  For foreign policy and national security reasons certain countries are not allowed to receive some or all U.S. exports.

Commodity Control List

The CCL is a listing of items prepared and maintained by the Bureau of Industry and Security of the Department of Commerce.  The items on the CCL are subject to varying degrees of control depending upon the product, the uses of the product and the destination.

Country Of Destination

The Country of Destination is the country to which the export will ultimately be made.  In certain cases, the provision of a product to a foreign national even within the U.S., will be considered an export.

Currency Restrictions

The U.S. imposes two types of currency and monetary restrictions on exports from the U.S.  The first is a straightforward prohibition on carrying more than $10,000 in cash or negotiable instruments to, through or from the United States without declaring such monies.  There is no tax or duty on any amounts in excess of $10,000, merely a requirement that it be declared.

The second is a proscription on financial dealings with nationals of certain countries.  These restrictions are administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control and currently include persons undermining democratic processes in Zimbabwe, and persons in the Sudan, Cuba, Libya, Syria and similar nations.