About BIS
The Bureau of Industry and Security advances national security through technology leadership and vigilant export controls.
BIS leadership & offices
Shaping and guiding the regulations, providing essential advice to companies and individuals seeking to stay within the bounds of compliance.
BIS publications
Various publications provided by BIS are available such as Annual Reports, Licensing, Guidance on Reexport Controls, Export Control Classification Numbers, Best Practices, and more.
Careers at BIS
We're on the lookout for talented individuals to join our dynamic team, with positions available in engineering, compliance, policy analysis, and operations research.
BIS guiding principles
The guiding philosophy of the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security in approaching its activities and fulfilling its responsibilities.
Words from within
“If we are to face both the rapidly evolving pace of technological development and the actions of actors of concern like Russia, China, North Korea, or Iran, who are desperately trying to obtain advanced technologies, we must be strategic in our actions, coordinated in our controls, and make sure we react quickly to face challenges as they arise.” - Alan F. Estevez, Under Secretary
“Over the past 18 months especially, we have seen an unprecedented increase in the profile of export controls globally. Once largely the province of regulators, attorneys, and compliance specialists, export controls have entered common parlance. One has only to open a newspaper on any given day to find reporting on semiconductor manufacturing equipment and advanced computing exports controls, or on the impact of our export controls on Russia’s ability to wage its brutal and illegal war in Ukraine.” - Thea D. Rozman Kendler, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration
“Disrupting the diversion of critical U.S. technologies to nation-state adversaries and malign actors around the globe is our highest priority.” - Matthew S. Axelrod, Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement
Deemed Export Licensing
In 2022, BIS reviewed 40,507 license applications, valued at $336.0 billion. This represents a 0.8% decrease in the number of applications from 2021. Of these, 39,043 were for exports and re-exports of tangible items, software, and technology, while 1,464 were for Deemed Exports. 87.4% of applications were approved, with an average processing time of 39.5 calendar days.