What is the Export Control Number or ECN?
The ECN (referred to in the United States as the Export Control Classification Number, or ECCN) is a classification related to HS codes but restricted to exports. The ECN is used by a majority of industrialized countries. An exported product may have an HS code and an ECN. The ECN is applied to dual-use (civilian and military) products and similar sensitive products, like microchips and computers. ECN is primarily used for compliance while the HS is more frequently used for duty calculation. If the shipping country uses ECNs and an appropriate ECN can be found, use that; otherwise, in the majority of cases, use the HS code.
