ECCN.help – User Guide

Introduction

Welcome to the official user guide for ECCN.help — an AI-powered regulatory technology platform designed to assist compliance professionals, exporters, and advisory firms in performing Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) determinations under the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR), along with ITAR jurisdiction analysis and OFAC sanctions screening.

This manual provides comprehensive, step-by-step guidance for every feature of the platform, covering all 9 available tools and the ELENA chatbot assistant. The platform is version V.2.2.

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A. User Journey

Every user follows a structured onboarding process. Authentication and the one-time registration form must be completed before accessing any tool.

Authentication Options

ECCN.help offers two authentication methods — LinkedIn OAuth and Email-based registration/login. Click the "Login / Register" button in the top navigation bar to open the authentication popup. The popup presents three options:

1. Register / Login with LinkedIn — Passwordless OAuth-based authentication.
2. Register with Email — Create a new account using your name and email address.
3. Login with Email — Sign in with your email and password (or OTP for first-time login).

Option 1 — Register / Login with LinkedIn

This option uses LinkedIn OAuth 2.0 for secure, passwordless authentication.

1. Click "Register / Login with LinkedIn" in the popup.
2. You will be redirected to LinkedIn to authorize ECCN.help.
3. Grant permission to share your name and email address.
4. You will be redirected back to ECCN.help automatically.

First-time users will be directed to complete a one-time registration form (see section ii below). Returning users are taken directly to the dashboard.

Option 2 — Register with Email

This option allows you to create an account using your name and email address. An OTP (One-Time Password) is sent to your email for secure first-time login.

1. Click "Register with Email" in the popup.
2. Enter your Full Name and Email Address.
3. Accept the Privacy Policy checkbox.
4. Complete the human verification (simple math captcha).
5. Click "Register Now".
6. A 6-digit OTP will be sent to your registered email address.
7. After registration, switch to "Login with Email" to sign in using the OTP.

Option 3 — Login with Email

This option is for users who have already registered with email. It supports both OTP-based first login and password-based returning login.

First-Time Login (after email registration):

1. Click "Login with Email" in the popup.
2. Enter your Email Address.
3. In the "Password / OTP" field, enter the 6-digit OTP received via email.
4. Check the confirmation checkbox and complete the captcha.
5. Click "Login".
6. You will be directed to the Set Your Password screen.
7. Enter your OTP again, then create a secure password (minimum 12 characters with uppercase, lowercase, number, and special character).
8. After setting your password, you will be directed to the one-time registration form.

Returning Login (password already set):

1. Click "Login with Email" in the popup.
2. Enter your Email Address and Password.
3. Check the confirmation checkbox and complete the captcha.
4. Click "Login" to access your dashboard.

Forgot Password

If you have forgotten your password, you can reset it directly from the login popup:

1. Click "Login with Email" in the popup.
2. Click the "Forgot Password?" link below the login form.
3. Enter your registered email address and complete the captcha.
4. Click "Reset Password".
5. A password reset link will be sent to your email.
6. Click the link in the email — you will be directed to the Reset Your Password page.
7. Enter and confirm your new password, then click "Reset Password".
8. After a successful reset, you will be redirected to the home page to log in with your new password.

ii) One-Time Registration Form

After your first sign-in (via either LinkedIn or email), complete a brief professional details form. This form includes:

• LinkedIn Profile URL (optional)
• AI tool usage experience
• Trade compliance experience level
• ECCN classification skill self-assessment
• Your opinion on AI-powered classification

Upon submission:

• Your account setup is completed.
• A Welcome Email is sent to your registered email address.
• Access to all ECCN.help tools is granted.

iii) Delete Account

1. Go to "Profile & Settings" in your dashboard and click "Request Account Deletion".
2. Confirm in the browser dialog that you want to proceed.
3. A confirmation email with a secure deletion link will be sent to your registered email.
4. Click the link in the email to confirm permanent deletion.

Your account is only deleted after you click the confirmation link. If you change your mind, click "No, Keep My Account" on the confirmation page.

Important Notes

#	Note
1	ECCN.help supports two authentication methods: LinkedIn OAuth (passwordless) and email-based registration with OTP and password login.
2	All new users must complete both steps (authentication + registration form) before accessing tools, regardless of which login method is used.
3	LinkedIn users: if you need to update your name or email, update them on LinkedIn and sign in again. Email users: contact ask@eccn.help for profile changes.
4	Email support response time may take up to 72 hours. Contact ask@eccn.help for assistance.
5	All system timestamps are based on UTC (Coordinated Universal Time).
6	Email-registered accounts: your account is locked for 15 minutes after 5 consecutive failed login attempts.

Usage Limits & Fair Access Policy

Limit Type	Threshold
Global Request Limit	Up to 100 requests within a rolling 60-minute window

If this threshold is exceeded, temporary access restrictions are applied automatically. Access restores after the restriction window expires.

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B. How to Use the AI ECCN Classification Tool

The AI ECCN Classification Tool is the primary feature of ECCN.help. It uses a multi-model AI framework operating on fine-tuned regulatory datasets to generate ECCN guidance through an interactive guided conversation presented as a visual flow timeline.

1) Starting a Classification

1. Open the ECCN Classification card from the dashboard.
2. Enter a short product identifier (1–3 words) in the input field — e.g., thermal camera, VPN router, IC chips, fiber laser.
3. Click "Classify →" or press Enter.

2) How the Guided Flow Works

After submitting your product identifier, a visual timeline progresses through these stages:

Stage	What You See	What to Do
Item Submitted	Your product name appears as the first node in the timeline.	Wait for the AI to process.
Analysing…	Animated loading indicator while AI interprets your product and retrieves regulatory data.	Wait — typically a few seconds.
Question (Q1, Q2…)	A targeted question with clickable answer buttons (2–4 custom options + "Not Sure" fallback) appears in an alternating left/right flow.	Click the answer that best describes your product.
Final Result	The classification result card with ECCN, confidence, justification, and action buttons.	Review result and provide feedback.

The AI asks between 1 and 7 questions depending on product complexity. Questions cover encryption capabilities, operating frequencies, military vs. civilian design intent, mass-market availability, autonomous features, and other regulatory boundary criteria.

3) Good vs. Poor Starting Identifiers

4) Reviewing the Classification Result

Result Element	Description
ECCN Code	The suggested Export Control Classification Number, displayed prominently at the top.
Confidence Level	Color-coded badge: High (green), Medium (orange), Low (red).
ITAR Review Flag	If present, indicates the product may fall under ITAR jurisdiction rather than EAR.
Mass Market Flag	If present, indicates the product may qualify as mass-market under §740.17(b).
Justification	Detailed regulatory reasoning behind the ECCN determination.

Three action buttons appear below the result:

• ✓ Correct — Confirm the classification is accurate.
• ✗ Incorrect — Opens feedback form to submit a correction.
• Check License — Proceeds directly to License Requirement with ECCN pre-filled.

5) Providing Feedback

If the result is correct:

Click "✓ Correct". A confirmation message appears. No further action required.

If the result is incorrect:

1. Click "✗ Incorrect".
2. A feedback form expands with two fields: Your ECCN (the correct code you believe applies) and Your Justification (your regulatory reasoning).
3. Click "Submit".

6) Current Model Performance Transparency

The tool currently operates on ≤27% of the total fine-tuned regulatory dataset. The expected classification accuracy range is 73%–85%. No self-learning or adaptive training mechanisms are active. Classification quality is driven entirely by the precision of the fine-tuned datasets.

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C. CCL Index Search

This tool allows you to search the Commerce Control List (CCL) by entering a commodity name to find its corresponding ECCN reference.

1. Enter the relevant commodity name in the search field (e.g., "thermal imaging camera").
2. Click Search. The system searches the BIS CCL Index and returns matching ECCN references.
3. If no match is found, the entered term does not appear in the published CCL Index. Try alternative or broader terms.
4. Click Reset to clear the results and start a new search.

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D. EAR99 vs. ECCN Determination

This tool uses a structured decision tree to help determine whether an item is controlled under a specific ECCN on the Commerce Control List, or whether it qualifies as EAR99 (subject to EAR but not listed on the CCL).

1. Open the EAR99 vs. ECCN card. The decision tree loads automatically.
2. Read the question displayed and click Yes or No.
3. Continue answering questions as the tree progresses through each regulatory branch.
4. At the end of the tree, a determination is displayed. Use the ← Back button to revise a previous answer if needed.

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E. ITAR vs. EAR Jurisdiction Determination

This tool helps determine whether an item falls under ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations — administered by the State Department's DDTC) or EAR (Export Administration Regulations — administered by BIS). This jurisdiction question is the first and most critical step in any export control analysis.

Two modes are available:

Mode 1 — USML Category Search

1. Enter keywords describing your item in the search field (e.g., "missile guidance", "night vision", "body armor").
2. Click Search USML Categories.
3. Matching USML categories and descriptions are returned for review.

Mode 2 — Decision Tree

1. Click Use Decision Tree.
2. Answer Yes/No questions that walk through ITAR/EAR boundary criteria.
3. The tree produces a jurisdiction recommendation.

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F. ITAR Workflow Determination

The ITAR Workflow Determination tool uses an AI-powered guided conversation to help identify the appropriate ITAR authorization pathway for a controlled transaction — including license type, applicable exemptions, DSP forms, and DDTC procedural requirements.

How to Use

1. Open the ITAR Workflow card and ensure AI Workflow mode is selected (default).
2. Describe your ITAR-controlled transaction in the text field — be specific about the item, destination country, end-user, and transaction type (e.g., export, re-export, temporary import, brokering).
3. Click Analyse → or press Enter.
4. The AI presents a visual Q&A flow. Answer each question by clicking the option that best describes your scenario.
5. After all questions are answered, the AI produces a workflow determination card showing: authorization type, applicable exemptions, required forms, and compliance recommendations.

A Legacy Workflow toggle is also available for reference-based static guidance without AI interaction.

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G. License Requirement

This tool determines whether an export license is required for a specific ECCN code exported to a specific destination country. It can be accessed directly from Card 6, or via the "Check License" button in the ECCN classification result (where the ECCN is pre-filled and locked).

How to Use

1. Open the License Requirement card (or access it from the Classification result).
2. Enter or confirm the ECCN code (e.g., 5A992.c, EAR99, 3A001.a.1).
3. Select the destination country from the searchable autocomplete dropdown. You must click a suggestion — typing alone is not sufficient.
4. Optionally fill in additional context fields (end-use, notes).
5. Click Submit to view the determination.

What the Output Contains

• License Required status: NO LICENSE REQUIRED / LICENSE REQUIRED / CONDITIONAL
• Applicable license exceptions and their availability.
• Country-specific sanctions and embargo flags.
• Commerce Country Chart analysis.
• Mandatory screening reminders and regulatory disclaimers.

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H. License Exception Eligibility

This tool checks whether a specific ECCN and destination country combination may be eligible for one or more EAR license exceptions — including TMP (Temporary Imports/Exports), STA (Strategic Trade Authorization), ENC (Encryption), and GOV (Government).

How to Use

1. Enter the ECCN code (e.g., 5A002).
2. Enter the Destination Country ISO code (2-letter ISO code, e.g., DE for Germany, CN for China).
3. Click Check Exceptions.
4. Review the eligibility results for each applicable license exception category.

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I. Encryption Classification

This tool assists in determining the correct ECCN classification for products with encryption capabilities, covering 5A002, 5D002, mass-market eligibility under §740.17(b), and the ENC license exception. Encryption classification involves several complex regulatory tests that this tool guides you through step by step.

How to Use

1. Open the Encryption Classification card. The decision tree loads automatically.
2. Read the introductory information node and click Continue →.
3. Answer each question as the tree progresses through the applicable encryption classification tests.
4. Use the ← Back button to revise previous answers at any point.
5. At the end of the tree, a classification result is displayed with the applicable ECCN, mass-market eligibility status, and ENC exception applicability.

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J. OFAC & Denied Party Screening

This tool performs sanctions screening and denied party checks against OFAC Specially Designated Nationals (SDN), non-SDN consolidated lists, and the Trade.gov Consolidated Screening List (CSL). Two modes are available: AI Screening and Name Lookup.

Mode 1 — AI Screening

The AI Screening mode uses a dual-engine pipeline: Engine A performs semantic search against OFAC program and sanctions regulation data; Engine B performs entity name fuzzy matching against SDN, non-SDN, and CSL databases.

1. Ensure AI Screening is selected (default tab).
2. Enter a description of your screening need — e.g., an entity name, transaction description, or country of concern (e.g., "Samsung Electronics export transaction to Russia", "surajit lahiri", "Iranian oil company").
3. Click Screen → or press Enter.
4. The AI processes through multiple phases — interpreting your input, running entity matching, retrieving sanctions program data, and generating a determination.
5. Follow-up questions may appear to refine the screening — answer by clicking options or typing as directed.
6. The final result card displays: screening status, entity matches, applicable sanctions programs, compliance recommendations, and embargo tier.

Screening Status values:

Status	Meaning
BLOCKED	Transaction is prohibited. Subject is on the SDN or subject to comprehensive embargo.
BLOCKED UNLESS LICENSED	Prohibited unless a specific OFAC general or specific license applies (e.g., comprehensive embargo country).
REVIEW REQUIRED	Potential match found with score ≥85 or subject falls in a targeted sanctions program. Human review required before proceeding.
NO MATCHES FOUND	No matches identified in current OFAC data as of the data timestamp. Not a clearance — see disclaimer below.

Mode 2 — Name Lookup

1. Click the Name Lookup tab.
2. Enter the entity or person name to search directly against the screening database.
3. Review the results listing any matches found, their list source, and match details.

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K. How to Use the ELENA Chatbot

ELENA (Export Licensing & ECCN Navigation Assistant) is an interactive AI chatbot for general export control and ECCN-related queries. ELENA operates independently from the classification engine.

When you ask a question, ELENA searches a curated knowledge base of BIS/EAR regulatory content to find the most relevant regulatory passages and uses them as the primary reference. If the knowledge base does not contain a direct match, ELENA falls back to expert training knowledge.

How to access ELENA:

1. Click the "Ask ELENA" button in the bottom-right corner of the dashboard.
2. Type your question and press Send or Enter.

What ELENA can help with:

• General questions about ECCN structure and CCL categories.
• Explanations of export control concepts (EAR99, dual-use, license exceptions).
• Guidance on approaching classification for specific product types.
• Overview of regulatory terminology and compliance procedures.
• Specific EAR regulatory questions grounded in retrieved regulatory passages.

What ELENA cannot do:

• Perform formal ECCN classifications — use Card 1 for that.
• Provide legally binding determinations or licensing decisions.
• Access your classification history or account data.

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L. How to Download Your Classification Data

The "Download Your Classification Data" feature allows you to export AI-generated classification records for documentation, compliance review, or internal audit purposes.

Steps to Download

1. Navigate to the "Profile & Settings" tab in your dashboard.
2. Locate and click "Download Your Classification Data".
3. Select the desired date range for the records.
4. Click Download to save the file in CSV format.

Data Field	Description
Title	The product identifier you submitted.
Description	The product description derived from your guided flow answers.
Follow-Up Q&A	The guided questions asked and the answers you selected.
AI ECCN Code	The ECCN classification generated by the system.
Justification	The AI-generated reasoning for the classification.
Feedback Status	Your feedback (Correct/Incorrect) and justification if provided.
Timestamp	Date and time of the classification (UTC).

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M. Error Reference Guide

Classification Tool Errors (Card 1)

Error Message	When It Appears	What to Do
"Classification error: [details]"	When the classification process encounters a processing issue.	Wait and try again. If it persists, verify input has no unusual characters. Contact [email protected] if it continues.
"Expert Review Recommended"	Product sits at the boundary of classification categories.	Not an error — retry with more specific answers to guided questions.
"Unexpected response from server. Please try again."	Server returns an unexpected response pattern.	Temporary issue. Refresh the page and retry.
Network error displayed	Connection to the server failed during AI processing.	Check your internet connection and click Try Again.

Login & Account Errors

Error Message	When It Appears	What to Do
"Please fill all required fields"	Registration or login form submitted with empty fields.	Ensure all required fields (Name, Email, Password/OTP) are filled before submitting.
"LinkedIn login was cancelled."	User denied LinkedIn authorization or closed the popup.	Click "Login / Register" again and complete the LinkedIn authorization.
"Could not connect to LinkedIn. Please try again."	LinkedIn authentication failed or network error occurred.	Check your internet connection and try again. Ensure pop-ups are not blocked.
Could not retrieve your LinkedIn profile	LinkedIn did not return the required profile information (name/email).	Ensure your LinkedIn profile has a visible email address. Check LinkedIn privacy settings.
"Email already registered"	Attempting to register with an email that already has an account.	Use "Login with Email" instead. If you forgot your password, use the "Forgot Password?" option.
"Invalid credentials"	Incorrect email/password or email/OTP combination entered.	Verify your email and password are correct. For first-time login, use the OTP from your registration email.
"Invalid or expired OTP"	The OTP entered has expired (past 24 hours) or is incorrect.	Try logging in again — a new OTP will be generated and sent if the previous one expired.
"Account temporarily locked. Try later."	5 consecutive failed login attempts detected.	Wait 15 minutes for the lock to expire, then try again with the correct credentials.
"Password does not meet security requirements"	New password does not meet the minimum policy during password setup or reset.	Ensure your password has at least 12 characters, including uppercase, lowercase, a number, and a special character.
"Security validation failed. Please refresh the page."	Security token expired or invalidated.	Refresh the page completely (Ctrl+Shift+R) and try again.
"Invalid or expired token"	Password reset link has expired or was already used.	Request a new password reset link by using "Forgot Password?" again.

License Determination Errors (Card 6)

Error Message	When It Appears	What to Do
"ECCN code is required."	License form submitted without an ECCN code.	Enter a valid ECCN (e.g., 5A992.c, EAR99, 3A001.a.1).
"Please select a destination country from the dropdown."	No country selected from the autocomplete list.	Type the country name and click on a suggestion. Typing alone is not sufficient.
"License determination failed."	System cannot process the license check.	Verify ECCN format is valid. Refresh the page and retry.

OFAC Screening Errors (Card 9)

Error Message	When It Appears	What to Do
"Please describe your screening need (at least 3 characters)."	Input is empty or too short.	Enter a meaningful description — entity name, transaction description, or country of concern.
"Session expired or not found."	Follow-up answer submitted for an expired screening session.	Click Try Again or start a new screening.
Network error displayed	Connection failed during AI screening.	Check your internet connection and click Try Again.

General System Errors

Error	When It Appears	What to Do
Server error (HTTP 500)	Server encounters an internal processing issue.	Wait 1–2 minutes and try again. If it persists, contact support.
Page redirects to Home Page unexpectedly	Session has expired or become invalid.	Your session timed out. Log in again to continue.
Temporary access restriction applied	You exceeded the 100-request rolling limit within 60 minutes.	Wait until the restriction window expires. Access restores automatically.
"Justification must be at least 15 words"	Submitting incorrect classification feedback with insufficient justification.	Expand your regulatory justification to at least 15 words.

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N. Glossary of Key Terms

Term	Definition
ECCN	Export Control Classification Number — a five-character alphanumeric code used on the CCL to identify dual-use items for export control purposes.
EAR	Export Administration Regulations — U.S. federal regulations administered by BIS governing exports of dual-use items.
EAR99	Items subject to the EAR but not listed under any specific ECCN on the CCL. Most commercial products fall under EAR99.
CCL	Commerce Control List — the regulatory list of items subject to export controls, organized into 10 categories (0–9) and 5 product groups (A–E).
ITAR	International Traffic in Arms Regulations — U.S. regulations governing the export of defense articles and services, administered by the State Department's DDTC.
USML	United States Munitions List — the list of defense articles and services controlled under ITAR.
DDTC	Directorate of Defense Trade Controls — the State Department office that administers ITAR and the USML.
OFAC	Office of Foreign Assets Control — the U.S. Treasury Department office that administers economic and trade sanctions programs.
SDN	Specially Designated Nationals List — OFAC's primary list of individuals, entities, and vessels subject to sanctions. U.S. persons are generally prohibited from dealing with SDN-listed parties.
CSL	Consolidated Screening List — Trade.gov's combined list of export-restricted parties from BIS, OFAC, DDTC, and other U.S. agencies.
Dual-Use	Items that have both civilian and potential military applications.
Mass Market	Products widely available through standard commercial channels, often eligible for license exceptions under §740.17(b).
BIS	Bureau of Industry and Security — the U.S. agency responsible for administering export control regulations under the EAR.
License Exception	Authorization under the EAR allowing an export without applying for a specific license, subject to defined conditions.
OAuth	Open Authorization — a secure protocol used for LinkedIn sign-in. ECCN.help uses LinkedIn OAuth 2.0 as one of its passwordless authentication options.
OTP	One-Time Password — a 6-digit code sent to your email during email-based registration. Valid for 24 hours, used for first-time login before setting a permanent password.
UTC	Coordinated Universal Time — the global time standard used by ECCN.help for all timestamps.
ELENA	Export Licensing & ECCN Navigation Assistant — the platform's conversational AI chatbot for general export control queries.

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O. Contact & Support

Channel	Details
Email Support	[email protected] — Response time: up to 72 hours.
Privacy Policy	Privacy Policy — Data handling, storage, and user rights.
LinkedIn	Follow ECCN.help on LinkedIn for platform updates and announcements.