Live Export Compliance Seminar
Chicago, IL
August 18-21, 2025
- Days
- Hours
- Minutes
- Seconds
Chicago, Illinois
August 18, 2025

Export compliance training for U.S. companies to improve competitiveness and reduce risk.
The ability to navigate U.S. export regulations is a valuable specialty. Our training programs are designed for new and experienced export compliance professionals at all levels to understand the intricacies of U.S. export regulations and procedures administered by the Departments of State, Commerce and Treasury.
Our instructors are respected experts in their field, with decades of interpreting and navigating U.S. export controls.
Whether your trade activities involve Export Administration Regulations (EAR), International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or Office of Foreign Assets Controls & Embargoes (OFAC), ECTI training helps you manage export activities more efficiently with less risk.
Our training seminars are appropriate for all export-related job functions at U.S. companies as well as affiliates of U.S. companies located outside the United States.
By registering for this event, you agree to our Terms of Use and Seminar Policies.
Donald Pearce
Senior Advisor – Torres Trade Advisory
Donald Pearce, a retired Special Agent from the U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), leverages his expertise in trade controls, investigations, and national security to advise clients on export compliance.
Jack Shelton
Founding Partner – Aegis Trade Law LLC
Jack Shelton is a founding partner at Aegis Trade Law (DBA Aegis Space Law), a boutique firm centered around assisting commercial space companies in navigating the complexities of federal regulations.
Guest Speaker
Aiysha Hussain
Partner – Mayer Brown
Aiysha Hussain is a Partner at Mayer Brown, where she counsels clients on complex national security and international trade matters.

Why should I attend?
You and your organization will benefit from the training ECTI offers through:
Increased efficiency- Better understanding of compliance requirements and standards
- Improved navigation of export regulations
- Shortened timelines for compliance processes
- Implementation of best practices
- Increased supply chain security
- Up-to-date knowledge on rule changes
- Reduced risk of errors and oversights that can delay transactions and present legal concerns
- Improved recordkeeping and compliance management
- Enhanced reputation among customers, partners and authorities
- Improved competence in trade with foreign markets
- Faster screening of opportunities
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM
8:30 AM – 12:00 PM
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
ITAR Export Controls Agenda

Donald Pearce
Senior Advisor – Torres Trade Advisory

Jack Shelton
Founding Partner – Aegis Trade Law LLC

Aiysha Hussain
Partner – Mayer Brown
Overview of U.S. Export Controls
- Why Export Controls?
- U.S. Export Control Policy & Primary Regulations (ITAR/EAR/OFAC)
- Key Governing Agencies
- Arms Export Control Act (AECA) & ITAR Compliance Resources
ITAR Regulated Activities
– with EXERCISES WORKSHOP
- Exports, Defense Services, Reexports, and Retransfers
- Technical Data Releases to Foreign Persons
- Temporary Imports & Other Controlled Activities
- Prohibited Countries & Ineligible Parties
Controlled Items
– with EXERCISES WORKSHOP
- Items Subject to the ITAR: Hardware, Software, Technical Data, Defense Services
- Jurisdiction: ITAR vs. EAR; Definition of “Defense Article”
- The U.S. Munitions List & “Order of Review”
- “Specially Designed” & Special Classification Issues
- Highly Restricted Items & Significant Military Equipment (SME)
- Commodity Jurisdiction Determinations
Technical Data
– with EXERCISES WORKSHOP
- Technical Data in the ITAR & Software Directly Related to Defense Articles
- What is Not Considered Technical Data
- Public Domain Information
Registration
- Who Does Registration Apply to? / Exemptions to Registration Requirement
- Registration Requirement & How to Register with DDTC
- Obligations of Registrants / Renewing Registration
Exemptions
– with EXERCISES WORKSHOP
- What are Exemptions? / Excluded Items & Countries
- U.S. Government Exemptions and Exemptions Requiring DOD Validation
- Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Exemption
- Public Shows; Temporary Imports Exemptions
- Exemptions for Unclassified Hardware
- Technical Data Exemptions / Defense Services Exemptions
- Allies Maintenance Exemption
- Canada, UK & Australia Exemptions
Licenses
– with EXERCISES WORKSHOP
- Licenses vs. Agreements
- The ITAR Paradox / The Art of the License Application
- DTrade / DSP-5 Applications
- Application Support Documents
- Marketing & Foreign Person Employment Licenses
- Political Contributions, Fees & Commissions
- License Amendments / General Correspondence
Agreements
- Agreement Types; Application Contents & Guidelines
- Sample Agreement Structures: Manufacturing License Agreements and Technical Assistance Agreements
- Signatory vs. Sublicensee; Sublicensing Issues
- Scoping Agreements
- Handling Hardware in Agreements
- Dual/Third Country National Employees and Their Coverage in Agreements
- Deemed Reexport Exemption: General and for NATO +
- Key TAA/MLA Questions for Discussion
- Warehouse & Distribution Agreements
- Agreement Amendment
- Application Processing and Status
- Government Review Process
- Congressional Notification
- Processing Time and Checking License Status
- Expedited Licensing Programs
Export Clearance
- Export Clearance Requirements for Hardware, Technical Data, and Defense Services
- Technical Data / Defense Service Export Under License, Agreement, and Exemption
- Commercial Invoice Requirements: Destination Control Statement
- The Automated Export System (AES): Filing Electronic Export Information (EEI)
- FTR: Parties to Export Transaction
- Who is Responsible for Submitting EEI?
- Standard and Routed Export Transaction Responsibilities
- Working with Agents: Freight Forwarders & Customs Brokers
- AES and ITAR / Proof of Filing Citation and Documentation
- Exemptions Recordkeeping & Agreement Administration
Compliance Programs
– with EXERCISES WORKSHOP
- Building an Effective Compliance Program: Models & Structure
- Licensing vs. Compliance; Who is Responsible?
- Key Elements of a Program
- Written Programs & Procedures / Recordkeeping Requirements
- Technical Data Compliance Challenges / Electronic Export Issues
- Foreign Person Employees
- ICP Tips and Evidence of Effective Compliance
Recent Developments
- Latest Regulatory Changes
- Other Recent Developments in the ITAR
Brokering
- What is Brokering Under the ITAR?
- Brokering Activities and Exclusions
- Who Must Register as a Broker? / Brokering Registration Exemption
- Brokering Activities Requiring Approval / Approval Exemptions
- Prior Approval Process and Annual Reporting
ITAR Enforcement
- Enforcement Methods, Fines & Penalties
- Enforcing Agencies: U.S. Customs & Border Protection
- Civil vs. Criminal Penalties
- How to Approach a Case: How it Begins, Responding to an Agent’s Meeting Request, Subpoenas, How to Handle a Violation
- Voluntary Disclosures to the Government and Considerations
- Disclosure and Civil Enforcement Trends / Terms of Global Settlements
- Case Studies: Recent Enforcement & Audit Actions
*Timing and Order of agenda items subject to change
EAR/OFAC Export Controls Agenda

Donald Pearce
Senior Advisor – Torres Trade Advisory

Jack Shelton
Founding Partner – Aegis Trade Law LLC

Aiysha Hussain
Partner – Mayer Brown
Introduction to the EAR
- U.S. Export Control Policy & Primary Regulations (ITAR/EAR/OFAC)
- Roadmap to Parts of the EAR
Regulated Activities
– with EXERCISES WORKSHOP
- Exports, Reexports, In-country Transfers
- Deemed Exports and Reexports
- Certain Other Activities
- Activities That are Not Regulated by the EAR
Classification
– with EXERCISES WORKSHOP
- Jurisdiction: EAR vs. ITAR; Which Agency Has Authority?
- How to Classify an Item
- Items Subject to the EAR: Commodities, Technology, and Software
- The Commerce Control List: EAR99, 600-Series, and other ECCNs
- Order of Review / Determining and Reading the ECCN
- “Specially Designed” Definition, Exclusions & Implications
- ECCN Classification Tips
- Requesting an Official Classification
Technology & Software Classifications
– with EXERCISES WORKSHOP
- Determining ECCN for Technology & Software
- Defining Technology and “Export” for Technology and Software
- Examples of Exports for Technology and Software
- Items Not Subject to the EAR; “Publicly Available”
- Fundamental Research / Educational Information / Patent Applications
- Determining the ECCN for Technology and Software
No License Required (NLR)
– with EXERCISES WORKSHOP
- Steps to Arrive to NLR Determination
- Using the Commerce Country Chart to Guide in Determination
License Exceptions
– with EXERCISES WORKSHOP
- Two Types of License Exceptions / Restrictions On All License Exceptions
- ECCN-based License Exceptions (STA, GBS, LVS)
- Situation-based License Exceptions (RPL,TMP, GOV)
- License Exceptions Issues for 600-Series and 9X515
- Wassenaar Reporting
- Technical Data & Software License Exceptions (TSU, TSR, ENC, TMP, STA)
End-Use & End-User Controls
– with EXERCISES WORKSHOP
- Restricted Parties / Embargoed Countries / Proliferation Activities
- Military End-Use/User (Belarus, Burma, Cambodia, China, Nicaragua, Russia, and Venezuela)
- Red Flags, EAR General Prohibitions & Antiboycott
Licenses
- When and How to Make a License Application to BIS
- SNAP-R / Electronic Filing / Tell The Story of Your Application
- Special Support Documents & Requirements
- Dual and Third Country Nationals / License Review Process
- License Conditions, Approval, and Issuance
Export Clearance
– with EXERCISES WORKSHOP
- Foreign Trade Regulations (FTR) & Automated Export System (AES)
- Who is Responsible for Compliance?
- FTR: Parties to the Transaction
- Standard and Routed Export Transaction
- When AES is Required / AES Filing Exemptions and When Exemptions Do Not Apply
- Export Documents & Shipping / AES Requirements for CCL Items
- Staying Compliant with AES / Wait Times
- Destination Control Statement
- Special Requirements for 600-Series and 9X515
Compliance Programs
- Why Have One? / Compliance Plans
- Resources: Where Can I Go for Help? Does Your Company Already Have Resources? Where to Start?
- Effective Compliance Plans & EMCP Core Elements (BIS)
- Key Consideration After Having all EMCP Core Elements in Place
- Automate Export Compliance, End-User/ End-Use Certifications, and Export Compliance Transaction Checklists
- Keys to Long Term Success
Recent Developments
- Latest Regulatory Changes
- Other Recent Developments in the EAR
- OFAC Sanctions Updates
Reexports: When Do U.S. Rules Apply Outside of the U.S.?
- General Guidelines & Who is Responsible for Reexport Compliance
- Two Questions to Analyze Controls / When U.S. Rules Apply
- Foreign-made Items Incorporating U.S. Parts or Technology: De Minimis and Foreign Direct Product Rules
- Special Rules for 600-Series and 9X515 US Content
- Other Consideration When U.S. Rules Apply to Persons and Activities
- When a Reexport License is Needed and Questions to Assess U.S. Jurisdiction
U.S. Embargo Controls
- Embargoed Country Considerations and Destinations:
- Cuba
- Iran
- North Korea
- Syria
- Applying for an OFAC License
EAR Export Enforcement
- Enforcement Trends, Fines, and Penalties
- Subpoenas, Investigations & Voluntary Self Disclosures
- Preventing and Coping with Violations
- Case Studies
*Timing and Order of agenda items subject to change
Guest Room Reservation
VENUE:
Embassy Suites Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile
511 North Columbus Drive,
Chicago, Illinois 60611
*The cost of accommodation is not included in the seminar tuition.
A limited block of guest rooms at the venue hotel is reserved for seminar participants. Group rate ends July 25, 2025.
Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Book early to ensure availability.
Guest room rate: $209 Single/Double
To book your room, call the hotel at +1 312-836-5900 and mention group code ECTI group, or use the guest room booking link.
By registering for this event, you agree to our Terms of Use and Seminar Policies.
Visit hotel website.
Health & Safety Notice:
The health and safety of our customers and employees is of critical importance to ECTI. We continue to monitor any public health concerns, and we are committed to meet or exceed applicable guidelines or requirements to ensure the safety of our attendees and speakers.
.png)
Quite possibly the best and most informative training I’ve attended in my 33 years in aerospace.
Jim Snover
SVP Quality, Zodiac Aerospace
.png)
Presenters are extremely knowledgeable and engaging. Real world knowledge and practical guidance! I really enjoy the conference (3rd time attending) and always learn something new.
Bryon Relyea
Sr. Trade & Import Compliance Specialist, Avantor
.png)
ECTI’s training sessions are a “must have” for anyone having a key role in their company’s Export Control Program. ECTI is always improving and updating their program. This is my 3rd time at this seminar.
Joseph Prezioso
Senior Quality Engineer, Consolidated Industries, Inc.
