In export control regulations, there are several meanings of the word,"export", which can include any of the following:
(1) the actual shipment of any goods or items covered under the regulations;
(2) the electronic or digital transmission of any goods, items or related goods covered under the regulations
(3) any release or disclosure, including verbal disclosures or visual inspections, or any technology, software or technical data to any foreign national; or
(4) the actual use or application of covered technology on behalf of or for the benefit of any foreign entity or person anywhere.
The export or reexport of commodities, software, and technology is regulated by the US Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) which is responsible for implementing and enforcing Export Administration Regulations (EAR).
The BIS regulates purely commercial items as well as items that are commercial and might have military or proliferation applications (called "dual-use" items). The term "proliferation applications" refers to the spread of biochemical, nuclear, and other weapons of mass destruction to countries not originally involved in developing them.
Not all exports are covered under the EAR, however. For instance, defense articles and services are regulated by the Department of State under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Examples of these types of exports include military equipment, military and space electronics, computers designed for military application, cryptographic techniques and encryption software.
Special exports such as endangered species, medical devices, and nuclear materials and equipment are regulated by still other governmental agencies. A list of the various agencies and contact information for each can be found in Supplement No. 3 to Part 730 of the EAR.