EXPORT
CONTROL CLASSIFICATION NUMBER - ECCN
by
Luke Daniel Rollins
Trade Information Center
WHAT
IS AN ECCN?
If a product
is subject to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), the
federal regulations that specify which exports require a license
from the Department of Commerce, it may require an export license.
To determine if a license is needed to export your product,
exporters must first determine whether an Export Control Classification
Number (ECCN) fits their product. The Commerce Departments
Bureau of Export Administration (BXA) has the licensing authority
over the export and re- export of items considered to be "dual-use."
Dual-use items generally have both commercial and military applications.
These items are controlled to further the national security,
foreign policy, and nonproliferation interests of the United
States. The five character alpha- numeric ECCN identifies the
technology level and the capabilities of an item which, in combination
with the country of destination, customer, and the intended
application determine if an export license is required for a
specific transaction or whether an item can be exported without
a license. The ECCN must be determined prior to shipment.
Once the
ECCN has been identified, an exporter can consult the Commerce
Control List (CCL) and the Country List, contained in the Export
Administration Regulations, to find out if the product requires
a license, why the product is controlled, and whether a license
exception or NLR will apply.
Firms exporting
products that are subject to EAR must apply for an export license,
unless the transaction qualifies for a license exception or
"No License Required" (NLR) treatment. When a Shippers
Export Declaration (SED) is required for the export transaction
(for shipments over $2,500 value, those requiring an export
license or those going to countries that have been designated
as terrorist supporting countries), the ECCN must be provided.
If an export license is not required, then the NCR is entered
on the SED unless the item is controlled for anti-terrorism
or is EAR99.
HOW
DO I GET AN ECCN?
There are
several ways to determine the ECCN for your product:
Contact
the manufacturer, producer or developer of the product. If the
item has been exported in the past, the producer may already
know the ECCN or whether the item qualifies for a license exception.
Consult
the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), which can be found
at the BXA website, www.bxa.doc.gov, and in most libraries,
in the Code of Federal Regulations, 15CFR Parts 730- 774. You
can also connect directly to the EAR database at http://w3.access.gpo.gov/bxa/ear/ear_data.html.
The Commerce Control List (CCL) is located within the EAR, Part
774, Supplement 1. Consult the CCL and determine your ECCN by
finding the appropriate category and group that most accurately
describe your product. Begin with a review of the general characteristics
of your item, which will guide you to the appropriate section
of the CCL. After you have identified the category and group,
match the specific characteristics of your item to an ECCN.
[Note: For ease of reference and classification purposes, items
subject to the EAR which are not listed in the CCL under a specific
ECCN are designated as EAR99]. (see more details on ECCN categories
below)
Request
an official ECCN classification on the BXA Multipurpose Application
form BXA-748P. Classification requests are processed within
three to four weeks but vary on a case-by-case basis. Only typed
original copies are accepted. Form BXA-748P can be obtained
by contacting the BXAs Form Request Service at (202) 482-3332.
Fax requests may be sent to (202) 219-9182. Include your name,
address, telephone number and specify which forms are needed.
(If you
need to request additional forms, use the address below and
make the request to the Forms Distribution Unit)
Mail your
completed BXA- 748P Form to: U. S. Department of Commerce, Bureau
of Export Administration Office of Exporter Services P. O. Box
273, Washington, D. C., 20044. Attn: Classification Request
Request
an ECCN electronically through the Electronic Request for Item
Classification (ERIC), which is available through the Electronic
Licensing Application Information Network (ELAIN). Prior to
submitting an electronic request, you must first obtain a PIN
number. Information on all electronic services, including receiving
a PIN, can be found on the BXA Website www.bxa.doc.gov,
or by contacting the BXA Operations Support Division at (202)
482-3290.
After determining
an ECCN you may apply for a license using the Simplified Network
Application Process (SNAP) through which exporters can submit
license applications directly to BXA via the Internet. Additional
information on SNAP and how to request a PIN can be found on
the BXA website, www.bxa.doc.gov/snap/default.htm.
SNAP is a free service to the exporting community.
ARE
THERE ANY REQUIREMENTS FOR CLASSIFICATION REQUESTS?
Each request
is limited to five items. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case
basis for several related products if the relationship between
the products is substantiated and documented.
Attach
descriptive literature, brochures, technical papers or specifications
to assist licensing officials in determining the correct ECCN.
On form BXA- 748P, complete Blocks 1 through 5, Block 14, Block
22(b) (only if the item is a computer), Block 22(c), Block 22(i)
and Block 22(j). If more space is needed for the technical description
required in Block 22(j), use Appendix Form 748PA for additional
space. An attempt should be made to identify the item. Once
completed, the form should be signed and submitted to BXA at
the above address.
To submit
the classification request or license application electronically,
access the ELAIN or SNAP services via the BXA website or call
the Export Counseling service at (202) 482-4811.
HOW
DO I FIND MY PRODUCT ON THE COMMERCE CONTROL LIST (CCL)?
The CCL
is divided into 10 categories. The first (numerical) character
in the ECCN identifies the category within which the entry falls,
for example: 3A001 is in Category 3, Electronics. The following
is a list of CCL categories:
0
Nuclear Materials, Facilities and Equipment and Miscellaneous
1
Materials, Chemicals, Microorganisms, and Toxins
2 Materials Processing
3 Electronics
4 Computers
5 Telecommunications and Information Security;
6 Sensors
7 Navigation and Avionics
8 Marine
9 Propulsion Systems, Space Vehicles and Related Equipment.
Within
each category, items are arranged by group. The second (alpha)
character indicates under which of the five groups the item
is listed, for example, 3A001 would be in group A, Equipment,
Assemblies and Components. Each category contains the same five
groups, which are:
A
Equipment, Assemblies and Components
B
Test, Inspection and Production Equipment
C Materials
D Software
E Technology
The remaining
digits identify the reasons for control associated with the
item. It is not essential that you be able to identify which
reasons for control are associated with which digits. However,
if interested, you can find an explanation in 738.2(d) of the
EAR.
A brief
description of the product is provided next to each ECCN. Following
this description are the "License Requirements," "License
Exceptions," and "List of Items Controlled" sections.
After you
have determined where your product fits within the CCL, use
the information in the "License Requirements" section
to determine if a license is required. You also must check the
Country Chart (Supplement 1 to Part 740 of the EAR) to ensure
that a license is not required for shipments going to that country.
It is possible that the product itself may not require a license,
but due to the country of destination or enduser, the shipment
may still need an export license.
For products
that do require a license, the CCL also lists the reasons for
control of the product: AT is Anti-Terrorism; CB is Chemical
and Biological Weapons; CC is Crime Control; EI is Encryption
Item; MT is Missile Technology; NS is National Security; NP
is Nuclear Nonproliferation; RS is Regional Stability; SS is
Short Supply; XP is High Level Computers; and SI is Significant
Items.
WHERE
CAN I GO FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE?
For additional
information concerning export licenses, determining an ECCN
and/ or filling out Form 748P, you may contact the BXA Office
of Exporter Services, Outreach and Educational Services Division
at (202) 482-4811, or by fax at (202) 482-3617. The BXA Western
Regional Offices can be reached at (949) 660-0144 in Southern
California or at (408) 271-7300 in Northern California.
Additional
information on the ECCN can be found at www.bxa.doc.gov/factsheets/
facts2.htm or in the July 2000 Export America article
"Export Controls."
The Trade
Information Center (TIC) is operated by the International Trade
Administration of the U. S. Department of Commerce for the 20
federal agencies comprising the Trade Promotion Coordinating
Committee. These agencies are responsible for managing the U.S.
Governments export promotion programs and activities. You, too,
can Ask the TIC by calling 1-800-USA-TRAD(E) toll free, Monday
through Friday, 8:30-5:30. Or visit the TICs website at
http://tradeinfo.doc.gov.
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