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An Export Compliance Policy sets the rules and procedures a company follows to legally sell or ship goods outside Austria and the European Union. It helps businesses comply with Austrian Foreign Trade Act (Außenwirtschaftsgesetz) requirements and EU export control regulations, especially for sensitive items like technology, software, or dual-use goods.

This policy covers crucial areas like trade sanctions screening, product classification, end-user verification, and documentation requirements. Every Austrian company engaging in international trade needs this framework to prevent violations, maintain proper records, and ensure their exports meet all necessary legal standards. It also guides staff on handling red flags and reporting potential compliance issues.

Your business needs an Export Compliance Policy as soon as you start selling or shipping products internationally from Austria. This is especially important when dealing with dual-use items, technology transfers, or trading with countries subject to EU sanctions. Manufacturing companies, tech firms, and research institutions particularly benefit from having this policy in place before their first export transaction.

The policy becomes essential when hiring new staff involved in international sales, opening foreign markets, or introducing new product lines with potential export restrictions. Austrian customs authorities often request documentation of your compliance procedures during audits, and having this policy ready helps avoid costly delays and potential penalties under the Außenwirtschaftsgesetz.

• Basic Export Control Policy: Covers fundamental compliance requirements for small-to-medium Austrian businesses, focusing on EU dual-use regulations and documentation procedures
• Comprehensive Trade Compliance Manual: Detailed version for large exporters, including sanctions screening, restricted party checks, and specific procedures for high-risk markets
• Technology Transfer Policy: Specialized version for software companies and research institutions, addressing digital exports and technical data transfers
• Industry-Specific Export Policy: Tailored for sectors like chemicals or machinery, incorporating specific Austrian and EU product classification requirements
• Group-Level Export Policy: Designed for Austrian corporate groups with international subsidiaries, ensuring consistent compliance across multiple entities

• Export Control Officers: Lead the development and implementation of the Export Compliance Policy, ensuring it aligns with Austrian trade regulations
• Legal Department: Reviews and updates policy content, interprets EU sanctions requirements, and ensures alignment with Außenwirtschaftsgesetz
• Sales Teams: Follow policy guidelines when processing international orders and conducting customer screenings
• Shipping/Logistics Staff: Handle documentation requirements and verify export classifications according to policy rules
• Senior Management: Approves the policy and provides resources for compliance programs
• External Consultants: Assist with policy updates and provide expertise on complex export control matters

• Product Assessment: List all goods and technologies your company exports, including their classification codes and dual-use potential
• Market Analysis: Map out your target export countries and identify any EU or Austrian trade restrictions affecting these markets
• Internal Processes: Document your current export procedures, including order processing, screening, and documentation workflows
• Staff Responsibilities: Define key roles in export operations and their compliance duties
• Risk Evaluation: Identify high-risk activities requiring special attention in your policy
• Documentation System: Plan how you'll maintain required export records under Austrian law
• Training Needs: Outline how staff will learn and implement the new policy

• Policy Statement: Clear commitment to comply with Austrian Foreign Trade Act and EU export control regulations
• Scope Definition: Products, technologies, and activities covered under the policy
• Legal Framework: References to Außenwirtschaftsgesetz and relevant EU regulations
• Screening Procedures: Process for checking restricted parties and embargoed countries
• Documentation Requirements: Record-keeping rules aligned with Austrian customs law
• Violation Reporting: Internal procedures for reporting compliance concerns
• Training Protocol: Staff education requirements and frequency
• Review Schedule: Timeline for policy updates and compliance audits

An Export Compliance Policy is often confused with an Export Agreement, but they serve distinct purposes in international trade. While both documents relate to exporting goods, their scope and application differ significantly.

• Purpose and Function: Export Compliance Policies establish internal procedures for meeting Austrian trade regulations, while Export Agreements define specific terms between trading parties
• Legal Scope: Compliance Policies cover all company export activities under the Außenwirtschaftsgesetz, whereas Export Agreements govern individual transactions
• Implementation: Policies are ongoing internal documents guiding staff behavior, while Agreements are transaction-specific contracts with external parties
• Content Focus: Compliance Policies detail screening procedures, documentation requirements, and staff responsibilities; Export Agreements specify delivery terms, pricing, and commercial conditions
• Duration: Policies remain active until formally updated, while Agreements typically expire after the transaction completes