International Trade and Business Resource Guide: Trade Laws

The U.S. Department of Commerce's Office of the Chief Counsel for International Commerce (OCC-IC) "is responsible for legal matters related to the promotion of U.S. trade and investment and the competitiveness of domestic firms abroad." Therefore, this site contains materials on international trade and investment law with a focus on export issues.

Lex Mercatoria, the international trade and commercial law monitor, is a source of international law links and materials (free of charge) relating to areas such as tax and financial regulation, transport and maritime law, and international environmental law.

The BIS's activities include regulating the export of sensitive goods and technologies; enforcing export control; and cooperating with and assisting other countries on export control and strategic trade issues. Certain types of items, such as high performance computers and electronic components, are subject to export restrictions and may require a license from the Bureau of Industry and Security. This site provides access to the regulations, and lists of restricted items.

"The U.S. Trade Representative is America's chief trade negotiator and the principal trade policy advisor to the President." The content of this site includes U.S. trade policy and preferences, information on trade disputes, and trade in specific sectors.