Frequently Asked Questions

The International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) is enforced by the United States government via the United States Munitions List (USML). Items on the USML are defense and military-related goods and technology, and require a license or an exemption in order to be lawfully exported.

The Export Administration Regulations (EAR) are administered by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). The EAR controls goods and technology that have commercial applications, but may also have military uses (i.e., dual use goods). Technology and goods are controlled by the EAR for a variety of reasons, including anti-terrorism, national security, foreign policy, and nuclear proliferation. These goods similarly require licenses, or exceptions, to be lawfully exported.

Yes, for many reasons. Chief among them is the fact that OFAC sanctioned entities don’t have to be foreign nationals or organizations—many U.S. individuals and companies are on OFAC lists. Even if you are only conducting business in the United States, there is a chance you could violate OFAC regulations if you don’t perform OFAC sanctions list searches.

Yes, for all intents, when it comes to export, trade and financial compliance—with which businesses in both the U.S. and abroad have the obligation to comply—those commonly-used terms can be considered relatively interchangeable.

Other terms common in the export compliance industry include: debarred party screening, OFAC screening, watch list screening, sanctions screening, embargoed country screening, Sanctioned Party List Screening (SPL), and Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) and Blocked Persons screening.

However, while similar in nature, there are some differences, primarily in that some terms are associated with specific regulations:

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.

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.

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.

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 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:

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: