EXPORT CONTROLS: State and Commerce Department License Review Times Are Similar
Abstract
The U.S. defense industry and some U.S. and allied government officials have suggested in recent years that the U.S. export control process be reformed. Much of the debate on reforming the process has focused on the amount of time required to process an export license application. As a result, you asked that we analyze the time it takes to process export license applications. In March 2001, we briefed your staff on the results of our work. As agreed with your staff, we are providing the briefing as a report (see app. I for a discussion of our scope and methodology). As also agreed with your staff, we plan further work to determine why some license applications take significantly longer than the average time to process and will be reporting on this issue in the future. Under the authority of the Arms Export Control Act, the State Department controls the export and import of defense articles and services. The State Department's International Traffic in Arms Regulations provide licensing procedures and define the defense articles and services that require a license in the U.S. Munitions List. The regulations, however, do not mandate or recommend timelines for the review of license applications. The Export Administration Act and Executive Order 12981 grant the Commerce Department authority to review and issue licenses for the export of dual-use commodities (those having both commercial and military applications).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA391679
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office