Export Controls

There are a variety of regulations governing the export of specialty steel and specialty metals products, as well their ancillary melting and processing technologies.
Close up of stainless steel blades

There are a variety of regulations governing the export of specialty steel and specialty metals products, as well their ancillary melting and processing technologies. The number of different U.S. government agencies involved in developing export control lists, denied persons lists, and in enforcing the various export control statutes and regulations presents one of the biggest challenges to tracking developments in the export control area.

The principal agency, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), is responsible for administering the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). These “dual use” export controls apply to products with applications for both commercial and military uses. The Department of State’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) administers the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), the export controls related to “defense articles,” or items and technical data that have a primarily military end use. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) administer export controls related to certain nuclear-related items and technologies, if either BIS or DDTC does not otherwise have jurisdiction. Finally, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) administer economic sanctions and embargoes (See: Sanctions).

 

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