Export Compliance & Trade Controls
Analyze products, destinations, and end-users against US export control regulations (EAR, ITAR, OFAC sanctions). Generate classification recommendations, license requirements, and compliance checklists.
What It Does
When given a product description, destination country, and end-user details:
- ECCN Classification — Map product characteristics to likely Export Control Classification Numbers (Commerce Control List)
- Sanctions Screening — Check destination country and end-user against OFAC SDN list indicators, Entity List red flags, and denied parties patterns
- License Determination — Identify whether a license exception applies (e.g., TMP, TSR, ENC) or if a formal BIS license is needed
- Red Flag Checklist — Walk through the BIS "Know Your Customer" red flags for the transaction
- Documentation Pack — Generate: Shipper's Letter of Instruction template, End-Use Certificate template, Internal compliance memo
How to Use
Provide the agent with:
- Product: What you're exporting (software, hardware, technical data, services)
- Destination: Country and specific entity/address
- End-user: Company name, industry, known affiliations
- Value: Transaction value (for de minimis calculations)
Example prompt:
Run export compliance check:
Product: Cloud-based encryption software (AES-256, key management)
Destination: United Arab Emirates
End-user: Dubai National Bank
Value: $180,000/year
Classification Framework
EAR Categories (Commerce Control List)
| Category |
Description |
Common Items |
| 0 |
Nuclear & Misc |
Nuclear equipment, materials |
| 1 |
Materials |
Chemicals, alloys, composites |
| 2 |
Materials Processing |
Machine tools, robots |
| 3 |
Electronics |
ICs, sensors, lasers |
| 4 |
Computers |
Hardware, software, crypto |
| 5 |
Telecom & Infosec |
Encryption, network gear |
| 6 |
Sensors & Lasers |
Cameras, radar, sonar |
| 7 |
Navigation |
GPS, INS, accelerometers |
| 8 |
Marine |
Vessels, submersibles |
| 9 |
Aerospace |
Aircraft, engines, UAVs |
Control Reasons
- NS (National Security), MT (Missile Technology), NP (Nuclear Nonproliferation)
- CB (Chemical/Biological), CC (Crime Control), RS (Regional Stability)
- AT (Anti-Terrorism), SS (Short Supply), UN (UN Sanctions)
License Exception Quick Reference
| Exception |
Use Case |
| ENC |
Mass-market encryption products |
| TMP |
Temporary exports/reexports |
| TSR |
Technology/software under restriction |
| GOV |
US government agencies abroad |
| BAG |
Personal baggage |
| RPL |
Replacement parts (one-for-one) |
| CIV |
Civil end-users (Country Group B) |
OFAC Sanctions Programs (Active)
- Comprehensive: Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Crimea/DNR/LNR
- Targeted: Russia, Belarus, Myanmar, Venezuela, Nicaragua, China (military), Ethiopia, Mali, others
- SDN List: 12,000+ designated persons/entities — screen every transaction
Red Flags (BIS "Know Your Customer" Guidance)
- Customer reluctant to provide end-use/end-user info
- Product inconsistent with buyer's line of business
- Unusual shipping routes or intermediary countries
- Customer willing to pay cash for expensive items
- Delivery to freight forwarder rather than end-user
- Evasive answers about whether item is for domestic use or export
- Order for items incompatible with technical level of destination country
- Customer has P.O. Box or residential address for commercial goods
- Abnormal packaging or marking requests
- Customer declines normal installation/training/maintenance
De Minimis Rule
US-origin controlled content below these thresholds may not require a license:
- 25% for most countries
- 10% for Country Group E:1 (terrorism-supporting) and E:2
- Calculate: (value of US-origin controlled content / total value) × 100
Output Format
═══ EXPORT COMPLIANCE ASSESSMENT ═══
PRODUCT CLASSIFICATION
Likely ECCN: [number]
Category: [description]
Control Reasons: [NS/MT/etc.]
DESTINATION ANALYSIS
Country: [name]
Country Group: [A:1, B, D:1, etc.]
Sanctions Programs: [if any]
Embargo Status: [comprehensive/targeted/none]
END-USER SCREENING
Entity List: [clear/match/possible match]
SDN List: [clear/match/possible match]
Red Flags Triggered: [list any]
LICENSE DETERMINATION
License Required: [yes/no/likely]
Applicable Exceptions: [if any]
Recommended Action: [proceed/investigate/halt]
DOCUMENTATION NEEDED
□ Shipper's Letter of Instruction
□ End-Use Certificate
□ Compliance Memo
□ [additional as needed]
═══════════════════════════════════
Industries That Need This
- Software companies selling internationally (especially encryption, AI/ML, cybersecurity)
- Hardware manufacturers with dual-use components
- Defense contractors and subcontractors
- Universities with international research collaborations
- Logistics and freight forwarding companies
- Any company doing business with sanctioned countries
Regulatory References
- Export Administration Regulations (EAR): 15 CFR Parts 730-774
- International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR): 22 CFR Parts 120-130
- OFAC Sanctions: 31 CFR Part 500
- Commerce Control List: Supplement No. 1 to Part 774
- Country Chart: Supplement No. 1 to Part 738
- Entity List: Supplement No. 4 to Part 744
Built by AfrexAI — AI context packs for business operations.
1---2name: afrexai-export-compliance3description: Export Compliance & Trade Controls4---5# Export Compliance & Trade Controls67Analyze products, destinations, and end-users against US export control regulations (EAR, ITAR, OFAC sanctions). Generate classification recommendations, license requirements, and compliance checklists.89## What It Does1011When given a product description, destination country, and end-user details:12131. **ECCN Classification** — Map product characteristics to likely Export Control Classification Numbers (Commerce Control List)142. **Sanctions Screening** — Check destination country and end-user against OFAC SDN list indicators, Entity List red flags, and denied parties patterns153. **License Determination** — Identify whether a license exception applies (e.g., TMP, TSR, ENC) or if a formal BIS license is needed164. **Red Flag Checklist** — Walk through the BIS "Know Your Customer" red flags for the transaction175. **Documentation Pack** — Generate: Shipper's Letter of Instruction template, End-Use Certificate template, Internal compliance memo1819## How to Use2021Provide the agent with:22- **Product**: What you're exporting (software, hardware, technical data, services)23- **Destination**: Country and specific entity/address24- **End-user**: Company name, industry, known affiliations25- **Value**: Transaction value (for de minimis calculations)2627Example prompt:28```29Run export compliance check:30Product: Cloud-based encryption software (AES-256, key management)31Destination: United Arab Emirates32End-user: Dubai National Bank33Value: $180,000/year34```3536## Classification Framework3738### EAR Categories (Commerce Control List)39| Category | Description | Common Items |40|----------|-------------|--------------|41| 0 | Nuclear & Misc | Nuclear equipment, materials |42| 1 | Materials | Chemicals, alloys, composites |43| 2 | Materials Processing | Machine tools, robots |44| 3 | Electronics | ICs, sensors, lasers |45| 4 | Computers | Hardware, software, crypto |46| 5 | Telecom & Infosec | Encryption, network gear |47| 6 | Sensors & Lasers | Cameras, radar, sonar |48| 7 | Navigation | GPS, INS, accelerometers |49| 8 | Marine | Vessels, submersibles |50| 9 | Aerospace | Aircraft, engines, UAVs |5152### Control Reasons53- NS (National Security), MT (Missile Technology), NP (Nuclear Nonproliferation)54- CB (Chemical/Biological), CC (Crime Control), RS (Regional Stability)55- AT (Anti-Terrorism), SS (Short Supply), UN (UN Sanctions)5657### License Exception Quick Reference58| Exception | Use Case |59|-----------|----------|60| ENC | Mass-market encryption products |61| TMP | Temporary exports/reexports |62| TSR | Technology/software under restriction |63| GOV | US government agencies abroad |64| BAG | Personal baggage |65| RPL | Replacement parts (one-for-one) |66| CIV | Civil end-users (Country Group B) |6768## OFAC Sanctions Programs (Active)69- **Comprehensive**: Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Crimea/DNR/LNR70- **Targeted**: Russia, Belarus, Myanmar, Venezuela, Nicaragua, China (military), Ethiopia, Mali, others71- **SDN List**: 12,000+ designated persons/entities — screen every transaction7273## Red Flags (BIS "Know Your Customer" Guidance)741. Customer reluctant to provide end-use/end-user info752. Product inconsistent with buyer's line of business763. Unusual shipping routes or intermediary countries774. Customer willing to pay cash for expensive items785. Delivery to freight forwarder rather than end-user796. Evasive answers about whether item is for domestic use or export807. Order for items incompatible with technical level of destination country818. Customer has P.O. Box or residential address for commercial goods829. Abnormal packaging or marking requests8310. Customer declines normal installation/training/maintenance8485## De Minimis Rule86US-origin controlled content below these thresholds may not require a license:87- **25%** for most countries88- **10%** for Country Group E:1 (terrorism-supporting) and E:289- Calculate: (value of US-origin controlled content / total value) × 1009091## Output Format92```93═══ EXPORT COMPLIANCE ASSESSMENT ═══9495PRODUCT CLASSIFICATION96 Likely ECCN: [number]97 Category: [description]98 Control Reasons: [NS/MT/etc.]99100DESTINATION ANALYSIS101 Country: [name]102 Country Group: [A:1, B, D:1, etc.]103 Sanctions Programs: [if any]104 Embargo Status: [comprehensive/targeted/none]105106END-USER SCREENING107 Entity List: [clear/match/possible match]108 SDN List: [clear/match/possible match]109 Red Flags Triggered: [list any]110111LICENSE DETERMINATION112 License Required: [yes/no/likely]113 Applicable Exceptions: [if any]114 Recommended Action: [proceed/investigate/halt]115116DOCUMENTATION NEEDED117 □ Shipper's Letter of Instruction118 □ End-Use Certificate119 □ Compliance Memo120 □ [additional as needed]121═══════════════════════════════════122```123124## Industries That Need This125- Software companies selling internationally (especially encryption, AI/ML, cybersecurity)126- Hardware manufacturers with dual-use components127- Defense contractors and subcontractors128- Universities with international research collaborations129- Logistics and freight forwarding companies130- Any company doing business with sanctioned countries131132## Regulatory References133- Export Administration Regulations (EAR): 15 CFR Parts 730-774134- International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR): 22 CFR Parts 120-130135- OFAC Sanctions: 31 CFR Part 500136- Commerce Control List: Supplement No. 1 to Part 774137- Country Chart: Supplement No. 1 to Part 738138- Entity List: Supplement No. 4 to Part 744139140---141142*Built by [AfrexAI](https://afrexai-cto.github.io/context-packs/) — AI context packs for business operations.*
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