Frequently Asked Questions

Simply fill out our contact form or give us a call at 877-328-7866. We will spend a few minutes getting to know about more about your organization and the export compliance challenges you face. From there, we will recommend a solution to help meet those challenges head on—or even schedule a demo so you can see Visual Compliance in action.

Also check out these 6 key features to help you evaluate and select the best denied party screening solution for your business.

As detailed above, export compliance is comprised of a multifaceted and broad set of responsibilities. Organizations looking to get started on their compliance journey should typically look at starting with screening the parties with whom they do business. Screening should then be integrated into a larger compliance process that also includes classification of items and technologies (the latter to prevent deemed export violations from occurring).

Documents pertaining to export compliance should be also maintained, filed, and archived properly. This helps to ensure proper recordkeeping that proves due diligence, as proving your compliance is just as important as the act of complying in the case of a government audit.

While these activities can be performed manually, such as visiting government websites to perform denied party, and sanctioned and embargoed country screening, as well as searching for the appropriate classification codes, and the like, these can be time consuming and complex. This type of process also comes with a high probability for error and potentially erroneous recordkeeping. Export compliance solutions, such as the ones offered by Descartes Visual Compliance, save time and resources, reduce the scope for error, increase the comprehensiveness of a compliance program, and are generally an organization’s best bet at getting—and staying—compliant.

Organizations engaging in international trade and exports are responsible for complying with export regulations and controls. Companies are still subject to export controls and the laws governing them regardless of their awareness of them.

Having a solution in place that assists organizations with helping to determine export classifications, as well as managing licenses, where required, is a good step in the direction towards being export compliant.

Descartes Visual Compliance screening solutions check for individuals and companies that are found on U.S. and international government watch lists, as well as countries facing sanctions or under embargo. Options include:

Descartes Visual Compliance OFAC Sanctions List Search solutions check for individuals and companies that are found on OFAC watch lists, as well as countries facing sanctions or under embargo. Options include:

Each export control body has its own system of classification for exports. In the U.S., for example, the BIS uses ECCNs, ITAR uses USML, and additionally, the United States Census Bureau maintains Schedule B classification codes for exporting goods out of the U.S. Other countries around the world have their own classification systems that organizations should be mindful of and adhere to where necessary.

There are also Harmonized Tariff Schedule codes (HTS/HS) which are used by most countries throughout the world to classify imported products.

Descartes Visual Compliance solutions are affordable and modular, giving organizations the option to add solutions they need to get compliant right now, and the ability to add complementary solutions to bolster compliance should needs ever change.

Check out our Buyer’s Guide, which brings together everything you need to know about in order to start to transform your sanctions compliance program.

Contact us today to learn more about how your organization can get started today with one or more of our screening solutions can decrease reputational risk, increase productivity, and save staff hours spent on searching for sanctioned parties manually.

Descartes Visual Compliance solutions are affordable and modular, giving organizations the option to add solutions they need to get compliant right now, and the ability to add complementary solutions to bolster compliance should needs ever change.

Check out our Buyer’s Guide, which brings together everything you need to know about in order to start to transform your sanctions compliance program.

Contact us today to learn more about how one or more of our screening solutions can decrease reputational risk, increase productivity, and save any number of staff hours spent on screening for denied parties manually. Or request a quote, and get started today.

Yes. Many large transactions are facilitated in U.S. Dollars, and processed through U.S. Banks. These banks may freeze funds from being transferred to sanctioned parties or face penalties themselves. To avoid this possibility, OFAC sanctions list searches are strongly recommended.