Simplify Export Compliance and Support Business Growth

Export compliance involves adhering to laws, regulations, and international trade agreements governing the export of goods, services, and technology to ensure that transactions do not violate national security, economic, or trade policies. Non-compliance can result in severe penalties, including fines, loss of export privileges, reputational damage, and even criminal charges. It also helps businesses avoid shipping delays and ensures smooth international trade operations.

Prioritizing tasks in an export compliance checklist depends on the specific nature of your business, the industry, and the countries involved. However, it's essential to focus on tasks that address the most critical aspects of export control and risk management. Here's an approach to help guide your efforts:

• Regularly screening customers, suppliers, and business partners against government watch lists (restricted or denied party screening). Also verify transactions against sanctions and embargoed country lists.
• Identifying the correct export classifications for goods under Schedule B, HS codes, or the Commerce Control List (CCL). Determining export licensing requirements for dual-use or military-grade items.
• Determining if an export license is required for a transaction. Applying for and tracking export licenses. Managing license exceptions and exemptions as per regulations.
• Ensuring export documentation compliance: Prepare accurate export declarations and shipping documents. Retain records of export transactions in accordance with regulatory requirements.
• Restricting access to sensitive controlled technologies and data to authorized personnel. Implement safeguards for hand-carried or deemed exports.
• Monitoring and auditing export compliance activities. Use automated tools to identify and address gaps.
• Developing response plans for denied shipments or potential export compliance violations.
• Staying informed about changing and emerging export regulations by monitoring updates from authorities such as BIS, OFAC, and other agencies, and adjusting processes and checklists to incorporate new requirements.
• Providing employees with regular training on export compliance responsibilities and changes in regulations.

Key regulations include the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR), International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions, European Union Consolidated List, EU Dual-Use Regulation, UK Strategic Export Control List, and similar laws in other jurisdictions. Descartes advanced software enables businesses manage export compliance across multiple regions and jurisdictions, ensuring adherence to country-specific laws and regulations.

EAR regulates commercial and dual-use items, while ITAR governs defense articles and services. Each has specific requirements and scope for compliance.

A deemed export occurs when controlled technology, software, or information is released to a foreign national, even if they reside within the U.S., and may be subject to export control regulations. Sectors such as higher education and research face greater risk exposure to deemed export violations. Institutions collaborating with foreign universities or research partners must ensure compliance with deemed export regulations when sharing controlled technology or information. Similarly, businesses employing foreign nationals must address these risks.

Solutions like Descartes Export Compliance Software help identify and classify controlled technologies while providing automated workflows, tracking, and audit logs to manage export licenses and ensure compliance with deemed export regulations. Additionally, Descartes' solutions integrate with HR systems to flag potential deemed export risks during the hiring process and enforce compliance protocols throughout an employee's tenure.

Solutions like Descartes Export Compliance Software reduce manual effort, minimize human errors, ensure accurate recordkeeping, speed up processes like denied party screening, export license applications, and export documentation, and help prevent costly penalties

• Denied party screening 
• Export license management 
• Automated re-screening 
• Audit trails and reporting 
• Integration with ERP, CRM, HR, and other bsiness systems 
• Support for multi-jurisdiction regulations (e.g., U.S., EU)

• Automates classification of goods and technologies.
• Screens transactions for export license requirements.
• Tracks license expiration and usage.
• Maintains compliance records for audits.

Yes, Descartes' solutions are modular and scalable, designed to enable businesses of all sizes pick and choose the functionality that suits their immediate needs with the option to easily scale when and if necessary. Descartes export compliance solutions are accessible and affordable, used by many small and medium-sized enterprises.

Our small business users have rated Descartes as one of the ‘easiest to do business with’ on G2-a business software review platform. Additionally, we are ranked as leaders in the mid-market and enterprise segments. Read what customers are saying about Descartes solutions.

Businesses save time, reduce errors, avoid penalties, and improve operational efficiency, resulting in measurable cost savings and faster trade processes. For information on the costs associated with an export compliance software, view this pricing guide.