ECCN Number

An Export Control Classification Number is the alphanumeric designation that determines how an item is controlled under the Export Administration Regulations. The first digit identifies the Commerce Control List category (0–9), the letter identifies the product group (A–E), and the three-digit number identifies the control reason. An item with ECCN 3E001 — controlled for national security and export control reasons — requires a license to most destinations. EAR99 means no ECCN applies and the item can generally be exported without a license, but even EAR99 items require a license to embargoed destinations or to end users on the Entity List. Misidentifying an ECCN — or assuming EAR99 without a proper classification review — is the most common BIS violation pattern we see.