The connection between export compliance and scientific research may not be obvious since much of university-based research doesn't fit the standard definition of an export as the shipment of a commodity from one country to a foreign country. But US laws and regulations surrounding deemed exports (especially software and technology) place the responsibility for compliance on the affected university and its researchers as exporters.

Regulatory controls may be perceived as onerous and intrusive in an otherwise open-access environment preferred in academia. But complying with deemed export rules is not optional. There are real and undesirable consequences attached to non-compliance, including substantial fines, loss of contract and export privileges, jail time, and negative publicity faced by violators.

Amber Road's Trade Automation solutions offer a complete export compliance program for universities, including managing trade compliance data, screening for restricted parties, performing basic licensing checks, producing required documents and filing with Customs.

Universities must also ensure that their employees, vendors, and the intended end-use of their deemed exports are admissible by applicable laws and regulations. To determine if an intended use is in compliance with export regulations, end-use surveys must be developed and completed. Questions vary based on product, origin and destination. Today this is largely a manual process that is difficult to administer and ensure compliance.

Amber Road's Questionnaire Manager generates end-use surveys based on details provided by the user for the parties involved in a transaction. In this way, the process can be managed centrally and distributed to all employees that must interact with customers, suppliers and employees or contractors of third party companies.