The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is a key agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce that enforces U.S. export control laws to protect national security.
For project cargo shippers, BIS is a critical checkpoint. Project cargo often consists of the exact type of equipment BIS regulates: advanced power generation components, chemical processing equipment, or high-performance electronics. These are classified as dual-use — meaning they have a legitimate commercial purpose but could also be used for a military or strategic application.
It is the exporter’s absolute legal responsibility to check their cargo against the BIS Commerce Control List and obtain an export license if required.