There should be no question in the mind of any exporter about the government'sintention to enforce applicable legislation and regulations. The penaltiesimposed by export laws and regulations are severe. Violations often lead toheavy fines and, in serious cases, to debarment from contracting with the U.S.Government, and possibly imprisonment. Additionally, the privilege ofexporting can be withdrawn from firms or individuals who have violated theregulations, either for specified periods or indefinitely. Ample resources aredevoted by the government to the detection and prosecution of violators. TheDepartments of Defense, Commerce, Homeland Security, Justice, and the severalintelligence agencies cooperate in this endeavor. Knowing and willfulviolations receive, of course, the heaviest sanctions, but unintentionalviolations are by no means exempt from penalties. Parties to an exporttransaction are expected to know and comply with the regulations.United States Export Controls, Sixth Edition provides areference to which exporters, and those who work closely with them, can referin their daily business operations in order to comply with the myriad exportrules and regulations. Thorough knowledge of the regulations is essential infinding practical solutions to export licensing problems related to specifictransactions, in formulating export marketing plans to minimize the impact ofcontrols, and in the organizing company resources to deal correctly andefficiently with both the legal requirements and the day-to-day operationaldemands of the export control regulations.

Essential features of the recommendations are to (1) replace licensing of low-risk individual transactions with programmatic approvals; (2) establish timelines for decisions on those items that still require licenses; (3) streamline the munitions list through annual reviews; and (4) harmonize national and multilateral lists to eliminate jurisdictional disputes.