Importers must hold a Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) license authorizing receipt of source material, and the transaction may also require Department of Energy and Department of Commerce authorizations depending on the origin and end use. CBP will not release nuclear source material without evidence of the required NRC license.

Yellowcake and other uranium oxide concentrates produced directly from ore processing fall under heading 2612. Uranium hexafluoride (used in enrichment) and enriched uranium compounds are classified under the chapter covering inorganic chemicals or radioactive elements, as they represent chemically processed forms beyond the ore-concentrate stage.