A principal goal for the bureau is helping stop the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, while furthering the growth of United States exports.

BIS activities include regulating the export of sensitive goods and dual-use technologies in an effective and efficient manner; enforcing export control, anti-boycott, and public safety laws; cooperating with and assisting other countries on export control and strategic trade issues; assisting U.S. industry to comply with international arms control agreements; monitoring the viability of the U.S. defense–industrial base; and promoting federal initiatives and public-private partnerships to protect the nation's critical infrastructures.

[citation needed] In addition to national security, BIS's function is to ensure the health of the U.S. economy and the competitiveness of U.S. industry.

BIS promotes a strong defense–industrial base that can develop and provide technologies that will enable the United States to maintain its military superiority.

BIS takes care to ensure that its regulations do not impose unreasonable restrictions on legitimate international commercial activity that are necessary for the health of U.S.