Controlled is the foreign trade with goods of strategic importance, first of all weapons, armaments, and goods of dual use (so-called dual use goods). Dual use goods are commodities, software, and technology that can be used for civil and for military purposes. So with a milling machine for instance, one can process components for civil products and for military products as well. The progressing globalization however will allow an efficient control of exports only through intensified international and European cooperation. The Federal Republic of Germany has joined in numerous international treaties and export supervisory bodies supporting the harmonization of export control regulations and authorization policies. Of special relevance are the lists of goods laid down by the export supervisory bodies, which are updated on a regular basis. The exportation of dual use goods from the European Union has been harmonized as far as possible. Applicable is European law.
Source: www.bafa.de