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What is the Commerce Control List (CCL)? A detailed guide and item list under CCL

The Commerce Control List determines the restrictions and regulations on products being exported to the US. Learn more about its categories in this blog.

International trade involves paperwork and licenses that determine whether products are ready to be exported. Irrespective of the scale of a business or the destination country, it is important for every exporter to understand these compliance requirements for hassle-free exporting. One such document is the Commerce Control List, or CCL. In this blog post, we will discuss what the CCL is and understand how it works.

What is a Commerce Control List (CCL)?

The Commerce Control List or CCL is a key component of the United States of America’s export control regulations. It is maintained by the US Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) and comes under the US Export Administration Regulations (EAR). The CCL is a detailed list of items including commodities, software, and technology, that are subject to export controls.

Items that are listed on the CCL are organized according to alpha-numeric designations called Export Control Classification Numbers (ECCNs).¹ The ECCN classifications help exporters understand which licenses they need to obtain from the BIS before they can legally export an item to a specific region or country.

What is the role of the Department of Commerce Control?

The Department of Commerce Control (DOC) works towards driving economic competitiveness, strengthening industry, and accelerating the growth of quality jobs across the US. It regulates the flow of goods to and from the country and ensures economic growth².

Commerce Control List (CCL) of the Export Aministration Regulations (EAR)

The Export Administration Regulations (EAR) are U.S. laws that govern the export and re-export of most commercial items. The Commerce Control List (CCL) is a critical component of the EAR as it outlines regulations and licensing requirements for specific products and product categories. The CCL is classified into 10 categories based on the type of goods, software, or technology, and each category is further divided into five subcategories.³

CCL categories under Export Administration Regulations

· Nuclear materials, facilities, and equipment
· Materials, chemicals, microorganisms, and toxins
· Materials processing
· Electronics
· Computers
· Telecommunications and information security
· Sensors and lasers
· Navigation and avionics
· Marine
· Aerospace and propulsion systems⁴

Product groups of Commerce Control List (CCL)

Each category of the CCL contains five product groups identified by letters A through E:

· A - End items, equipment, accessories, attachments, parts, components, and systems
· B - Test, inspection, and production equipment
· C - Materials
· D - Software
· E - Technology⁵

Commerce Country Chart

The Commerce Country Chart maintained by the BIS provides a comprehensive overview of the licensing requirements for exporting goods from the US to any country in the world. The CCL and the Commerce Country Chart together help exporters determine whether a license is required to export products on the CCL list.⁶

Understanding the Commerce Country Chart

Below are some of the steps to be followed:

Step 1

Find the ECCN associated with your product from the CCL, and determine the destination country for your export.

Step 2

Locate the ECCN of your item and the destination country on the Commerce Country Chart, and check the corresponding entry. The chart will indicate whether a license is required for your specific export scenario and under what conditions. It may also specify if certain license exceptions apply.

Step 3

If a license is required for your export, you must follow the appropriate procedures for obtaining it from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS)^.7

Due to strategic advancements in the relationship between India and the United States, the BIS has granted India eligibility for the re-export of specific US-origin items from within India.⁸Indian exporters engaged in such re-exports must thoroughly understand the relevant CCL and EAR regulations to ensure full compliance with US export laws. For more assistance on documentation and compliance, exporters can leverage the tools and services offered by e-commerce export programs like Amazon Global Selling.

Visit Export Compliance Dashboard to meet your documentation requirements

Amazon Global Selling: Your passport to easy exports

Amazon Global Selling is an e-commerce export program that enables Indian exporters like you to take your business from India to international customers across the globe. With millions of customers, businesses can reach international customers in 18 Amazon marketplaces across 200+ countries and territories, including the US, the UK, the UAE, Australia, and more. Amazon provides expert support at every stage – from registration and listing to logistics and advertising.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who regulates the Commerce Control List?

The CCL is regulated by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).⁹

What is an ECCN number?

Items listed on the CCL are organized according to Export Control Classification Numbers (ECCNs), a five-digit number that includes alphanumeric designations. The Department of Commerce of the US Government introduced the ECCN to classify export products and determine whether an export license is required for certain products.¹⁰

What are EAR regulations?

The Export Administration Regulations (EAR) are U.S. laws that govern the export and re-export of most commercial items.¹¹

What is the ECCN Number?

An Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) is a five-digit number that includes alphanumeric designations that are part of the Commerce Control List (CCL). The Department of Commerce of the US Government introduced the ECCN to classify U.S. exports and determine whether an export license is required.

Published on March 29, 2023.

Sources:
1. https://www.aeb.com/en/glossary/ccl-commerce-control-list.php
2. https://www.commerce.gov/about#
3. https://www.bis.doc.gov/index.php/regulations/commerce-control-list-ccl
4. https://www.bis.doc.gov/index.php/regulations/commerce-control-list-ccl
5. https://www.bis.doc.gov/index.php/regulations/commerce-control-list-ccl
6. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-15/subtitle-B/chapter-VII/subchapter-C/part-738
7. https://www.bis.doc.gov/index.php/documents/regulation-docs/2254-part-738-commerce-control-list-overview
8. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2015/01/23/2015-01273/us-india-bilateral-understanding-additional-revisions-to-the-us-export
9. https://www.bis.gov/ear/title-15/subtitle-b/chapter-vii/subchapter-c/part-738/ss-7381-introduction
10. https://www.bis.doc.gov/index.php/licensing/commerce-control-list-classification/export-control-classification-number-eccn##

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