ECCN

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) of United States Department of Commerce maintains the Commerce Control List (CCL) that includes items (commodities, software, and technology) subject to the authority of BIS. Items to be exported must be classified according to the CCL and assigned the corresponding Export Control Classification Number (ECCN). This is the fundamental designation indicating the classification for an item.

The ECCN determination depends on the technical characteristics of the product. Microsoft proceeds with the classification for all of its products and technologies prior to their release to market.

Customers and partners who proceed with the export of a Microsoft product may use the ECCN provided by Microsoft to complete the Automated Export System (AES) or other documentation required for the export operation.

The classification assigned to Microsoft software products typically fall under one of those ECCNs:

• 5D002 - Information Security – Software - Data confidentiality encryption item

• 5D992 - Information Security - Software - Mass Market encryption item

• EAR99 - Not controlled by other categories, but subject to EAR

• Not Subject to EAR - Not subject to U.S. export regulations

While ECCNs for Microsoft products are provided in order to facilitate export operations, the exporter is responsible for complying with the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Given the appropriate ECCN, you should consult the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) or your export counsel to determine the appropriate license type and eligible countries for export purposes.

Schedule B and Harmonized System Codes

In the United States, numbers used to classify exported products are called “Schedule B” numbers. The U.S. Census Bureau administers the Schedule B system. Schedule B numbers, not HS numbers, must be provided on the Shippers’ Export Declaration (SED).

The Harmonized System (HS) is the standardized coding of names and numbers used in international trade to classify products.

The basic HS code contains 6-digits, known as a subheading. The Schedule B is a 10-digit code built upon the first 6 digits of the HS code.

Microsoft makes this data available for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice of a licensed Customs Broker. The information on this site may not reflect the most current legal or regulatory developments, and Microsoft does not represent, warrant, or guarantee that it is complete, accurate or up to date. This information is subject to change without notice. The information on this site is not intended to constitute legal advice or advice of a licensed customs broker or to be used as a substitute for advice of counsel or advice of a licensed customs broker and you should not take action, including making classification decisions, based on information on this site. Classification must be completed by a licensed broker who knows your particular facts and circumstances.