BIS Issues First Version of Commodity Classification Information Table

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has released the first version of its Commodity Classification Information Table.

In September 2008, BIS announced that it intended to establish a page on its website where manufacturers could voluntarily provide information to customers and other persons that intend to export their products the Commerce Control List commodity classifications of their products. BIS explained that they commenced this initiative in an effort to aid exporters in the licensing process and to assist exporters in complying with U.S. export and reexport control laws.

The first version of the Commodity Classification Information Table, which is in PDF format, contains information submitted by 17 companies. The information that was submitted by companies varies widely and includes links to very detailed CCATS tables to general websites. In many cases, companies chose to simply list their export controls contact person, which at least gives customers a person to contact with questions regarding a product's ECCN, Schedule B number and other licensing requirements.

If your company currently has, or plans to have, Commodity Classification information available on your company’s website, or an export control point of contact, and you would like this information to be accessible via the BIS website, send an e-mail to CommodityClassifications@bis.doc.gov. In your e-mail, provide any of the following information you would like to be posted on the BIS website:

1) Company name
2) General description of the products/services
3) Commodity classification information website address
4) Export control point of contact (may be a general telephone number or email address)

We encourage companies planning to include their commodity classification information on the BIS website to contact their in-house legal counsel or outside export controls attorney before submitting the information to BIS.

UPDATE: Thanks to our readers for pointing out that the need to include the actual link on the BIS website where updated versions of the Commodity Classification Information Table will be posted in the future. The link is as follows: www.bis.doc.gov/commodityclassificationpage.htm.