by Congressional Research Service (Author)

The U.S. export control system is diffused among several different licensing and enforcement agencies. Exports of dual-use goods and technologies-as well as some military items, are licensed by the Department of Commerce-munitions are licensed by the Department of State, and restrictions on exports based on U.S. sanctions are administered by the U.S. Treasury. Administrative enforcement of export controls is conducted by these agencies, while criminal enforcement is carried out by the Department of Commerce, units of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and by the Department of Justice (DOJ).