Descartes OCR Global EASE is a comprehensive global trade management platform that centralizes and manages end‑to‑end trade compliance processes. It provides organizations with real‑time visibility, governance, and control across export management, licensing, import operations, and compliance screening activities.

With Descartes, organizations can manage: 

• Export license determination, acquisition, usage tracking, and reporting 
• Product jurisdiction and export classification 
• Denied party and watchlist screening 
• Export operations, documentation, and customs filing 
• Import operations and compliance management 
• FTZ and duty drawback 
• Technical data exports and foreign national access   

    All from a single, centralized trade compliance platform. 

Descartes OCR Global EASE is a modular Trade Compliance Software platform. This means you can start with the specific solution you need most today—like Watchlist Screening or Export Classification—and seamlessly add new capabilities as your business evolves, creating a fully integrated suite over time.

Yes. Descartes OCR Global EASE integrates with leading ERP systems such as SAP and Oracle, as well as other third‑party and legacy systems, enabling seamless data exchange across compliance, logistics, and operations without duplicate data entry. This ensures that compliance checks become a natural part of your workflow, not a bottleneck.

By centralizing compliance data and automating workflows, the solution delivers real‑time insights into transactions, licensing status, compliance risks, and regulatory obligations—empowering teams to make faster, more informed business decisions.

Descartes OCR Global EASE is powered by AI-optimized regulatory content. A dedicated team of in-house trade experts continuously monitors global regulations and updates our databases daily. This managed content ensures your compliance logic is always current without requiring manual research from your team.

Descartes OCR Global EASE is used by multinational exporters, compliance professionals, aerospace and defense contractors, legal teams, supply chain leaders, and security teams that need scalable, defensible, and audit‑ready global trade management software.

Built on over 40 years of experience, ongoing customer feedback, and industry research, Descartes evolves with regulatory change. Our flexible, modular design allows organizations to adapt and grow while maintaining strong compliance governance. 

Import compliance is the process of ensuring that all goods entering a country meet the applicable legal, regulatory, and trade policy requirements. This includes accurate HTS classification, proper customs valuation, management of special import authorizations, and adherence to import controls. Dedicated import compliance software like Descartes OCR Global EASE is necessary because the volume and complexity of these requirements make manual management error-prone and unsustainable. The software automates key workflows, centralizes data, and provides the audit trail needed to demonstrate import compliance.

Descartes OCR Global EASE provides a centralized database for managing all your HTS classifications. It supports a structured workflow for classifying products, documenting the rationale for each decision, and maintaining a complete audit trail. The system also helps you manage classification updates when tariff schedules change, ensuring your import compliance data is always current and consistent across your organization.

In import compliance, an “assist” refers to goods, materials, tools, or services that an importer provides to a foreign supplier free of charge or at a reduced cost to help produce the imported goods. The value of these assists must be included in the customs value of the goods. Our platform provides a dedicated workflow for tracking assists, calculating their value, and ensuring they are properly reported, which is a critical but often overlooked aspect of import compliance.

Descartes OCR Global EASE automates the post-entry audit process by systematically comparing your internal import data against the entries filed by your customs broker. The system automatically flags discrepancies for review, tracks the status of each reconciliation, and documents the corrective actions taken. This proactive approach helps you identify and correct errors before they become a pattern, strengthening your overall import compliance program.

Importers can significantly reduce or eliminate customs duties, taxes, and fees by leveraging multiple U.S. trade programs—including duty drawback, Foreign Trade Zones, and Free Trade Agreements—within a unified import operations management platform like Descartes OCR Global EASE. 

• Duty drawback enables companies to recover up to 99% of duties, taxes, and certain fees paid on goods that are later exported or destroyed.

• FTZs allow duties to be deferred, reduced, or eliminated by managing inventory, manufacturing, and distribution activities within a designated U.S. zone.

• FTAs provide preferential or zero‑duty rates on qualifying goods based on rules of origin, tariff classifications, and participating countries.

By automating eligibility analysis, duty calculations, documentation, and customs filings across all three programs, Descartes import operations management software lowers landed costs, reduces manual effort, minimizes compliance risk, and improves supply chain efficiency at scale. 

Descartes OCR Global EASE analyzes import transactions, duty payments, manufacturing records, and export or destruction activity to identify eligible drawback opportunities. By linking import entries with downstream manufacturing and distribution data, companies can uncover previously missed refunds and ensure accurate, compliant drawback claims without manual data gathering.

The FTZ module automates qualification documentation for admitting products into a Foreign Trade Zone without immediate payment of duties or fees. It securely captures and retains required records, supports U.S. Customs compliance, and maintains audit‑ready documentation—reducing risk while simplifying complex FTZ compliance processes.

The Descartes OCR Global EASE FTA solution evaluates product eligibility using advanced rules of origin analysis, including tariff shift rules, build‑up, build‑down, and combination methodologies. Products can be qualified using different Bills of Materials (BOMs), with automated rescreening when components, suppliers, or regulations change—ensuring continuous FTA compliance across import operations.

Yes. The Descartes OCR Global EASE solution supports automated weekly U.S. Customs entry filing and manages FTZ operational activities such as trans‑shipping, cross‑docking, and transfer of goods without duty payment. It also determines applicable tariffs on U.S. components and raw materials, helping importers optimize manufacturing and distribution decisions within the FTZ.

Descartes OCR Global EASE centralizes FTA qualification records, supplier certificates, drawback documentation, and customs data in a secure, auditable platform. It automates documentation management, audit trails, and regulatory record retention while ensuring access to up‑to‑date trade regulations and CBP requirements. 

For duty drawback, the system streamlines claim preparation and reporting with automated workflows, dashboards, alerts, and management reports, providing full visibility into compliance status, recovery progress, and financial results. Together, these capabilities help importers reduce compliance risk, prepare confidently for customs audits, and maintain accurate, transparent reporting across all import programs.

Descartes’ automated vendor solicitation tool streamlines supplier outreach by managing requests, tracking responses, and collecting certificates through a secure web portal. Integrated with product repositories and ERP systems, it improves supplier collaboration, data accuracy, and FTA qualification rates—supporting more efficient and compliant import operations management.

The Import Operations solution is a core part of the Descartes OCR Global EASE platform and integrates seamlessly with both import and export compliance solutions to provide full trade compliance coverage. It works in concert with Export Operations, Export Licensing, and Export Classification for goods that are both imported and re-exported, as well as Product and Tariff Classification, Free Trade Agreement (FTA), Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ), and Duty Drawback modules. Data such as HTS and export classification codes, import and export transactions, and product information is shared automatically across modules, eliminating data silos and ensuring consistent compliance decisions.

Descartes OCR Global EASE Export License Determination is a solution that streamlines the process of identifying whether controlled goods, technology, or data transfers require export licenses or permits. It supports all types of movements, including exports, re‑exports, transshipments, brokering, and intangible technology transfers.

The export license determination engine works by analyzing the product’s classification, the country of destination, the specific end-user being screened, and the stated end-use. By cross-referencing this information against our daily-updated regulatory database, the system can automatically determine if a license is required, if the transaction can proceed under a license exception or exemption, or if it is prohibited altogether. This automates one of the most complex and critical decisions in the export process.

Yes. Export License Determination verifies multi-jurisdictional license requirements. The solution performs extensive regulatory searches to determine which authority has jurisdiction over an item. It identifies classifications under various global export control regimes like the EAR Commerce Control List (CCL), ITAR U.S. Munitions List (USML), and other regulatory bodies including NRC, Department of Energy (DOE), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and FDA.

Yes. Descartes OCR Global EASE supports major export controls worldwide providing standardized corporate-wide workflows so you can prepare and submit export license applications quickly and accurately. Some of the jurisdictions covered include: 

• United States: SNAP‑R (EAR) and DECCS (ITAR) 
• European Union: EU Member State National dual‑use export licenses 
• United Kingdom: Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) Standard, Open, and Temporary export licenses 
• Singapore: Export licenses under the Strategic Goods (Control) Act. Applications through Singapore Customs TradeNet portal 
• Canada: Global Affairs Canada export/import permit systems 
• Australia: Defence Export Controls Online Services 
• Japan: METI licensing systems for controlled dual‑use and security‑trade items 
• South Korea: Export Control System portals administered by MOTIE for strategic goods. 

Applying for an export license through Descartes OCR Global EASE is streamlined into a clear, guided process. Once you have determined the export license that is required, create or select a license application template (use the provided customizable templates to pre‑populate recurring details). Automated workflows enable compliance staff to review the application internally, verify accuracy, and ensure data completion before submission. Next, authorized users can electronically sign the application with compliant e‑signatures within the system and then submit directly to the appropriate government portal. The system retrieves status updates directly and, once approved, the authorization is stored in a searchable database for audit, reporting, and future reference.

Descartes OCR Global EASE simplifies and accelerates ITAR licensing by integrating directly with the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) and its DTrade electronic submission system. For items subject to the USML, it enables: submission of ITAR export authorizations and agreements (e.g., TAAs, MLAs, WDAs), automated processing and validation of DDTC forms directly within the platform—no manual uploads or redundant workflows, and real-time status checks from DTrade, eliminating the need to log into the ELISA or MARY status portals.

The Descartes OCR Global EASE platform uses configurable templates, automated data validation, and required-fields guidance to prevent incomplete or incorrect submissions, significantly reducing rework and delays.

The solution manages every stage of the export licensing lifecycle—from license determination and application preparation to submission, approval, usage tracking, monitoring, and final close‑out. It centralizes all licensing requirements, automates compliance steps, and ensures every license condition, proviso, renewal, and reporting obligation is met.

This is one of the most powerful features of Descartes OCR Global EASE Export License and Authorization Management. It provides a centralized dashboard that gives you a real-time view of your entire license portfolio. As you execute shipments against a license, the system automatically decrements the value or quantity, so you always know your remaining balance. The system also provides a structured way to track and manage all license provisos and conditions. You can set up automated alerts to notify your team of upcoming expiration dates, reporting deadlines, and other critical obligations, ensuring that you never miss a requirement.

Yes. Descartes OCR Global EASE provides integrated export license management, allowing teams to track transaction‑specific licenses, agreements, exceptions, and exemptions in one place to support fast, compliant shipments. It gives teams the ability to manage every step of the export workflow.

Absolutely. Every export control query is recorded, maintaining a detailed audit trail that documents compliance actions and supports internal reviews or regulatory audits. It also submits export filings directly through ACE using both single‑transaction and batch EDI processing, enabling fast, secure, and compliant electronic submissions.

Yes. Descartes OCR Global EASE integrates seamlessly with major ERPs, CRMs, supply chain platforms, custom-built applications, and other business systems—including SAP, Oracle, JD Edwards, and QAD—to automate export licensing and shipment workflows throughout your global trade management ecosystem without disruption.

Export classification is the process of determining the correct commodity control code for your products such as the ECCN along with HS/HTS code. It is the foundation of global trade compliance. Incorrect export classifications can result in denied export licenses, shipment delays, financial penalties, or market restrictions. A robust export classification process helps ensure regulatory compliance, reduce risk, and maintain business continuity.

Descartes OCR Global EASE Export Classification centralizes and automates your entire export classification process by assigning commodity codes such as ECCNs at scale, tracking classification status in real time, supporting multiple export control regimes, and maintaining audit‑ready records within a single platform.

The automation engine applies consistent classification criteria across high volume and complex product catalogs, reducing manual effort and review time. This helps organizations improve accuracy, reduce compliance risk, enforce jurisdiction specific controls, and demonstrate defensible compliance during audits or regulatory reviews.

Our export classification software is designed to handle the complexities of both the EAR and ITAR. It provides a structured workflow for your export classification needs and a powerful rules engine to guide your team through the process for each regulatory framework. For EAR-controlled items, the export classification software helps you determine the correct ECCN from the CCL. For defense articles, it helps you determine the correct export classification category under the USML. The platform allows you to store and manage both classifications for each product, along with the detailed justification for each decision. 

Our export classification software is powered by a managed trade content database maintained by dedicated trade compliance experts. This team monitors regulatory changes from the Department of Commerce, the Department of State, EU, and other government agencies daily. When a change is made to the CCL, USML, or rules from other jurisdictions, our team immediately updates the database. This ensures your export classification decisions made with our export classification software are based on the most current regulations.

The platform includes built‑in support for major global export control regimes, including the Wassenaar Arrangement, Missile Technology Control Regime, Australia Group, and Nuclear Suppliers Group. It enables jurisdiction‑specific classification and compliance, helping organizations manage export controls across multiple countries from a centralized system.

Descartes OCR Global EASE maintains a complete digital record of every classification decision, including supporting documentation, decision logic, approvals, and version history. For each product, you can attach relevant documentation, add notes, and capture the rationale behind the final export classification. This centralized, audit‑ready recordkeeping supports internal reviews, regulatory audits, and compliance reporting without manual reconstruction.

Watchlist screening, also known as restricted party screening, is the process of checking customers, suppliers, partners and transactions against global denied, restricted, sanctioned,  and government watchlists. Effective watchlist screening is essential for preventing prohibited dealings, avoiding fines or shipment holds, protecting your reputation, and demonstrating due diligence in global trade compliance.

The solution provides a comprehensive set of denied, restricted, and watchlists sourced from government and non‑government organizations which are updated daily to ensure screening decisions are based on current regulatory information.

Yes. The Descartes OCR Global EASE Watchlist Screening solution is designed for seamless integration with major business systems. It connects directly with your ERP, CRM, or other core  systems like Salesforce, SAP and Oracle, allowing you to perform real-time restricted party screening directly within your existing workflows without disrupting operations. 

Every action taken within our watchlist screening solution—from the initial search to the final resolution of a potential match—is automatically logged. This creates a detailed, unalterable audit trail for all your watchlist screening and export compliance activities, ensuring you can confidently demonstrate your due diligence to any internal or external auditor.

Yes. Watchlist screening parameters can be customized based on factors such as region, industry, or internal risk tolerance. This allows organizations to align screening processes with their specific compliance requirements and operational policies.