Export Control Classification Numbers - ECCN

As an employee of Missouri State University, your responsibilities may require you to be aware of export control laws. These laws could affect the work in which you are involved, the security of intellectual property and research facilities, proper application of research activities, and upholding the laws of the country as it affects export control. An Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) is used by the Department of Commerce to classify most commercial items. An ECCN describes a particular item or type of item, software or technology and the controls placed on that item. 

Export Control Classification Numbers (ECCNs)

ECCNs are a five-digit alpha-numeric code used to classify equipment, software, and technology that can be used in civilian or military dual-use purposes. This number designations will determine if an export license is needed to transfer or ship items abroad, to share technology with foreign nationals, and end use/end user applicability. If you are involved with any of the above activities and have questions or need a license, please contact Research Administration. 

The vendor or manufacturer of an item should be able to provide an ECCN for the item. They manufacturer must have this number to ship internationally. If the ECCN is not available from the manufacturer, you can search the Commerce Control List (CCL) for the item. If you are unable to find the ECCN, contact researchadministration@missouristate.edu for assistance. 

There are ten numbers (0-10) and five letters (A-E) in an ECCN. The number will have the following structure:  #L###. The first number will represent one of the following categories:

0     Nuclear Materials, Facilities, and Equipment, Firearms, Ammunition (and misc. items)

1     Special Materials and Related Equipment, Chemicals, "Microorganisms" and "Toxins"

2     Materials Processing

3     Electronics

4     Computers

5     Part 1 - Telecommunications

5     Part 2 - Information Security

6     Sensors and Lasers

7     Navigation and Avionics

8     Marine

9     Aerospace and Propulsion

The second digit in an ECCN is a letter and will represent the product group as follows:

A     End Items, Equipment, Accessories, Attachments, Parts, Components, and Systems

B     Test, Inspection and Production Equipment

C     Materials

D     Software

E     Technology

 The third number in an ECCN will determine the reason for control. The last three numbers refer to specific entries and are as follows:

000-099     National Security (NS)

100-199      Missile Technology (MT)

200-299     Nuclear Nonproliferation (NP)

300-399     Chemical and Biological (CB)

500-599     Firearms, Spacecraft, and related commodities controlled for NS and other reasons

600-699     Wassenaar Arrangement Munitions List (WAML) or former USML controlled for NS and                             other reasons

900-979     Plurilateral NS and Regional Stability (RS) and other reasons

980-989     Crime Control (CC), Short Supply (SS)

990-999     Anti-terrorism (AT), RS, United Nations Sanctions (UN)

If an item does not appear on the Commerce Control List (CCL), then a catchall category of "EAR99" is used. Items designated with an EAR99 category include low-technology consumer goods, general commercial products (pens, bicycles, office furniture) and do not require a license unless it is being exported to an embargoed or sanctioned country or a prohibited end use/end user.

For further information on ECCN or the CCL, please visit the Bureau of Industry and Security's website www.bis.gov/licensing/classify-your-item