Export Controls: Processes for Determining Proper Control of Defense-Related Items Need Improvement

摘要

The U.S. government controls the export of defense-related items to minimize the risk such exports may pose to its interests. The U.S. export control system is primarily divided between two regulatory regimes, one managed by the Department of State (State) for defense items and another managed by the Department of Commerce (Commerce) for dual-use items that have both military and commercial applications. Determining which department has jurisdiction over an item and how that item is controlled is fundamental to the proper implementation of the bifurcated U.S. export control system. Yet over the years, the U.S. government has experienced interagency disagreements over proper jurisdiction for items, and companies have been uncertain about which department controls the export of their items. In response to a Congressional request, the General Accounting Office (GAO) assessed how government departments assist companies in determining the proper controls for defense-related items, specifically, (1) how Commerce implements the commodity classification process and (2) how State implements the commodity jurisdiction process. This is GAO's report on the matter.