Includes the U.S. government export controls that companies need to abide by when exporting to this country.
Last Published: 8/9/2019

US Export Controls

Most high technology can be sold to Hungary without a U.S. export license, but some remain controlled. Depending on the product, export licenses may be issued by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), the Department of State, or the Department of Defense.  As licensing can be a lengthy process, a U.S. firm should ensure that they do not commit to a delivery date until an export license has been approved.
The United States imposes export controls to protect national security interests and promote foreign policy objectives. The United States also participates in various multilateral export control regimes to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and prevent destabilizing accumulations of conventional weapons and related material. BIS administers U.S. laws, regulations and policies governing the export and re-export of commodities, software, and technology (collectively “items”) falling under the jurisdiction of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). The primary goal of BIS is to advance national security, foreign policy, and economic objectives by ensuring an effective export control and treaty compliance system and promoting continued U.S. strategic technology leadership. BIS also enforces anti-boycott laws and coordinates with U.S. agencies and other countries on export control, nonproliferation and strategic trade issues.
The EAR controls certain exports, re-exports, or in-country transfers of purely commercial items, dual-use items, and less sensitive military items. “Dual-use” refers to items that have both commercial and military applications. The EAR controls less sensitive military items as the result of the Export Control Reform Initiative. In 2013, BIS began administering controls on military items formerly under the jurisdiction of the Department of State that do not warrant control under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).  Items subject to the EAR may require a license prior to export or re-export.

BIS’s Export Enforcement is staffed with criminal investigators who investigate illegal exports of items subject to the EAR and enforcement analysts who analyze intelligence and other information to assess the bona fides of parties and evaluate export transactions in support of investigations. BIS also posts Export Control Officers as attaches in Beijing, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, New Delhi, Moscow, Singapore, and Dubai to conduct end-use checks.

If necessary, a commodity classification request should be submitted to obtain BIS assistance in determining how an item is controlled (i.e., the item’s classification) and the applicable licensing policy.   Exporters may also request a written advisory opinion from BIS about application of the EAR to a specific situation. Information on commodity classifications, advisory opinions, and export licenses can be obtained through the BIS website at www.bis.doc.gov or by contacting the Office of Exporter Services at the following numbers:

Washington, D.C. Tel: (202) 482-4811 Fax: (202) 482-3322
Western Regional Office Tel: (949) 660-0144 Fax: (949) 660-9347
Further information on export controls is available at:

BIS
European Union U.S. Export Controls

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.


More Information

Hungary Export Management Trade Development and Promotion Export Controls