The Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is primarily responsible for regulating the export of commodities and related technology whose widespread release could compromise U.S. national security. BIS maintains a list of “Denied Persons,” made up of foreign governments, individuals and corporations that have been deemed unsafe. However, the total responsibility of national security is spread among many federal government agencies. The Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control also maintains a Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (31 CFR § 515.306), comprised of individuals and organizations deemed to represent restricted countries or known to be involved in terrorism and narcotics trafficking. It is not permitted to engage in export transactions with entities that appear on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List.
See also: Federal Register: Denied Persons & Specially Designated Nationals