The Bureau of Industry and Security (”BIS”) announced late this afternoon that starting April 28, 2008, an Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) would be required by the Automated Export System when exporters sought to export items under license exceptions TSR, RPL, GOV, GFT, TSU, BAG, AVS, APR, KMI, TAPS and ENC. Currently, the ECCN is required by the AES entry form only for exports under exceptions LVS, GBS, CIV, AGR, and APP.

This should not be a burden to exporters. Any reasonably robust export compliance program should assure that before any item is exported, it is classified either under a particular ECCN or as EAR99.