GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 26, 2026
Dual-use
Dual-use goods are items, software, or technologies that can serve both civilian and military or proliferation-sensitive purposes without substantial modification.
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Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32021R0821
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Definition & Explanation
Dual-use goods are items, software, or technologies that can serve both civilian and military or proliferation-sensitive purposes without substantial modification. At the point of export, customs authorities check whether a shipment falls into this category. Common examples include high-performance processors, precision machine tools, and encryption software. In the EU, the Dual-Use Regulation governs the conditions under which such goods may be exported, brokered, or transited, with an individual or general licence required depending on the destination country and end-user. Export compliance officers and freight forwarders must classify goods against the EU control list before clearance. Misclassification or failure to declare carries heavy fines and, in serious cases, criminal liability.
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