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: export-compliance-trade-controls3description: Analyze products, destinations, and end-users against US export control regulations (EAR, ITAR, OFAC sanctions). Generate classification recommendations, license requirements, and compliance checkl...4---5
6# Export Compliance & Trade Controls
7
8Analyze products, destinations, and end-users against US export control regulations (EAR, ITAR, OFAC sanctions). Generate classification recommendations, license requirements, and compliance checklists.
9
10## What It Does
11
12When given a product description, destination country, and end-user details:
13
141. **ECCN Classification** — Map product characteristics to likely Export Control Classification Numbers (Commerce Control List)
152. **Sanctions Screening** — Check destination country and end-user against OFAC SDN list indicators, Entity List red flags, and denied parties patterns
163. **License Determination** — Identify whether a license exception applies (e.g., TMP, TSR, ENC) or if a formal BIS license is needed
174. **Red Flag Checklist** — Walk through the BIS "Know Your Customer" red flags for the transaction
185. **Documentation Pack** — Generate: Shipper's Letter of Instruction template, End-Use Certificate template, Internal compliance memo
19
20## How to Use
21
22Provide the agent with:
23- **Product**: What you're exporting (software, hardware, technical data, services)
24- **Destination**: Country and specific entity/address
25- **End-user**: Company name, industry, known affiliations
26- **Value**: Transaction value (for de minimis calculations)
27
28Example prompt:
29```
30Run export compliance check:
31Product: Cloud-based encryption software (AES-256, key management)
32Destination: United Arab Emirates
33End-user: Dubai National Bank
34Value: $180,000/year
35```
36
37## Classification Framework
38
39### EAR Categories (Commerce Control List)
40| Category | Description | Common Items |
41|----------|-------------|--------------|
42| 0 | Nuclear & Misc | Nuclear equipment, materials |
43| 1 | Materials | Chemicals, alloys, composites |
44| 2 | Materials Processing | Machine tools, robots |
45| 3 | Electronics | ICs, sensors, lasers |
46| 4 | Computers | Hardware, software, crypto |
47| 5 | Telecom & Infosec | Encryption, network gear |
48| 6 | Sensors & Lasers | Cameras, radar, sonar |
49| 7 | Navigation | GPS, INS, accelerometers |
50| 8 | Marine | Vessels, submersibles |
51| 9 | Aerospace | Aircraft, engines, UAVs |
52
53### Control Reasons
54- NS (National Security), MT (Missile Technology), NP (Nuclear Nonproliferation)
55- CB (Chemical/Biological), CC (Crime Control), RS (Regional Stability)
56- AT (Anti-Terrorism), SS (Short Supply), UN (UN Sanctions)
57
58### License Exception Quick Reference
59| Exception | Use Case |
60|-----------|----------|
61| ENC | Mass-market encryption products |
62| TMP | Temporary exports/reexports |
63| TSR | Technology/software under restriction |
64| GOV | US government agencies abroad |
65| BAG | Personal baggage |
66| RPL | Replacement parts (one-for-one) |
67| CIV | Civil end-users (Country Group B) |
68
69## OFAC Sanctions Programs (Active)
70- **Comprehensive**: Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Crimea/DNR/LNR
71- **Targeted**: Russia, Belarus, Myanmar, Venezuela, Nicaragua, China (military), Ethiopia, Mali, others
72- **SDN List**: 12,000+ designated persons/entities — screen every transaction
73
74## Red Flags (BIS "Know Your Customer" Guidance)
751. Customer reluctant to provide end-use/end-user info
762. Product inconsistent with buyer's line of business
773. Unusual shipping routes or intermediary countries
784. Customer willing to pay cash for expensive items
795. Delivery to freight forwarder rather than end-user
806. Evasive answers about whether item is for domestic use or export
817. Order for items incompatible with technical level of destination country
828. Customer has P.O. Box or residential address for commercial goods
839. Abnormal packaging or marking requests
8410. Customer declines normal installation/training/maintenance
85
86## De Minimis Rule
87US-origin controlled content below these thresholds may not require a license:
88- **25%** for most countries
89- **10%** for Country Group E:1 (terrorism-supporting) and E:2
90- Calculate: (value of US-origin controlled content / total value) × 100
91
92## Output Format
93```
94═══ EXPORT COMPLIANCE ASSESSMENT ═══
95
96PRODUCT CLASSIFICATION
97 Likely ECCN: [number]
98 Category: [description]
99 Control Reasons: [NS/MT/etc.]
100
101DESTINATION ANALYSIS
102 Country: [name]
103 Country Group: [A:1, B, D:1, etc.]
104 Sanctions Programs: [if any]
105 Embargo Status: [comprehensive/targeted/none]
106
107END-USER SCREENING
108 Entity List: [clear/match/possible match]
109 SDN List: [clear/match/possible match]
110 Red Flags Triggered: [list any]
111
112LICENSE DETERMINATION
113 License Required: [yes/no/likely]
114 Applicable Exceptions: [if any]
115 Recommended Action: [proceed/investigate/halt]
116
117DOCUMENTATION NEEDED
118 □ Shipper's Letter of Instruction
119 □ End-Use Certificate
120 □ Compliance Memo
121 □ [additional as needed]
122═══════════════════════════════════
123```
124
125## Industries That Need This
126- Software companies selling internationally (especially encryption, AI/ML, cybersecurity)
127- Hardware manufacturers with dual-use components
128- Defense contractors and subcontractors
129- Universities with international research collaborations
130- Logistics and freight forwarding companies
131- Any company doing business with sanctioned countries
132
133## Regulatory References
134- Export Administration Regulations (EAR): 15 CFR Parts 730-774
135- International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR): 22 CFR Parts 120-130
136- OFAC Sanctions: 31 CFR Part 500
137- Commerce Control List: Supplement No. 1 to Part 774
138- Country Chart: Supplement No. 1 to Part 738
139- Entity List: Supplement No. 4 to Part 744
140
141---
142
143*Built by [AfrexAI](https://afrexai-cto.github.io/context-packs/) — AI context packs for business operations.*
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