An export license is a document granted by the government authorizing the export of certain goods. The appropriate licensing agency carefully evaluates the transaction within the export in progress before they can issue the export license. The most common agencies include the U.S Department of State’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls and the Bureau of Industry and Security. However, most export transactions within the United States don’t require export licenses. The mandate to check whether they require the license is left to the exporter. Once they consider a commodity needing an export license, exporters categorize them into the appropriate jurisdiction for licensing. The most common goods needing licensing include sensitive, prohibited, or dangerous cargo.