Okay, so what is an ECCN first and then why should I care?

There are a number of parameters involved in the questions of:

Can you export something?

Do you need an export license?

For the Can you ship this product, service or technology question, you must be able to answer and document the following questions:

What are you shipping?
Where will you ship it?
To Whom will you ship?
What will they use it for?

The What are you shipping requires several different answers (e.g. schedule B or ECCN) on different shipping documents, but in this article we address the ECCN, which will determine whether you need an export license.

Export Control Classification Numbers (ECCNs) are the classification code used to identify the category of your product, service or technology. The ECCN classification code is then used to determine whether or not you need an Export License for each shipment of your item.

The process to use the ECCN to determine whether you need an export license or not is:

1. Determine the Export Control Classification Number (ECCN)
2. Check to see if your ECCN is on the Commerce Control List (CCL)
3. if your ECCN in not on the CCL then go to step 6
4. If your ECCN is on the CCL, then you need to further check for your ECCN on the Commerce Country Chart (CCC);
5. If your ECCN is on the CCC then determine the "ship to country" and "restriction type" - you will need an export license; go to step 7

6. If your ECCN is not on CCL or not on CCC use EAR99

7. Check for your customer on the Consolidated Screening List (CSL)
8. If not on CSL, EAR99 can ship as No License Required (NLR)
9. If your customer is on the CSL you CANNOT ship to them.