Tag Archives: International Trade & National Security

United States fully reimposes secondary sanctions on Iran

On November 5, the United States reimposed the final tranche of sanctions on Iran, which had been lifted pursuant to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (“JCPOA”) in 2016. The vast majority of these sanctions are “secondary sanctions,” being those which target non-U.S. persons and companies even where there is no U.S. nexus (e.g. the … Continue Reading

The Customs Compliance Letters and What They Really Mean

In late 2016, U.S. Customs issued an unusual letter to a select group of 1000 U.S. importers containing numerous compliance publications and detailing facts about the importers’ highest-valued goods. The letter asks for the importers to review CBP’s laws and regulations, and to either assure compliance or disclose in advance any errors identified. It also … Continue Reading

North Korea Facing New Wave of International Trade Sanctions

As a direct result of nuclear and ballistic weapons tests conducted by the Democratic Peoples’ Republic of North Korea earlier this year, the United Nations, the European Union and the United States imposed increased sanctions against the country.  These new restrictions affect various industries, including minerals, energy, shipping, banking, finance, and aviation. In keeping with … Continue Reading

New Authorizations to Export Personal Communications Items and Services to Sudan

On February 18, 2015 the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) and Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) published changes to the Export Administration Regulation (“EAR”) and the Sudanese Sanctions Regulations (“SSR”) in order to advance the free flow of information and facilitate communications by the Sudanese people. OFAC’s changes are … Continue Reading

BIS Addresses ‘Commingling’ in Crude Oil Exports

On December 30, 2014, the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) issued its first-ever published guidance on the Short Supply Controls, the regulations that limit the export of crude oil out of the United States. The guidance, provided in the form of Frequently Asked Questions (“FAQs”), is of particular interest to … Continue Reading

U.S. Department of Treasury Imposes Sanctions Against the Government of The Democratic People’s Republic Of Korea

In response to recent cyber-attacks, President Obama signed an Executive Order January 2, 2015, imposing additional economic sanctions against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The Executive Order authorizes the Treasury to apply sanctions against officials and entities associated with North Korea’s government and the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea. Click here for the issued … Continue Reading

BIS Issues First Published Guidance on the Short Supply Controls

Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) issued the first-ever published guidance on the Short Supply Controls, the regulations that limit the export of crude oil out of the United States. The guidance, provided in the form of Frequently Asked Questions (“FAQs”), sheds light on a number of issues, including … Continue Reading

Sanctions Update: the U.S. and the EU impose further measures against Russia

This post was also written by Alexandra E. Allan and Tom C. Evans This alert follows our previous alerts on the Russia/Ukraine sanctions. U.S. Passes New Sanctions Authorizing Statute – Sends Russia Frigid End of Year Message President Obama: U.S. will “review and calibrate” sanctions in response to Russia’s actions On December 18, 2014, President Obama signed into … Continue Reading

Normalizing U.S. Relations with Cuba: What is ahead?

On December 17, President Obama announced that he will take steps to normalize relations with Cuba, prompting questions about what this means for an island nation that has existed under a Cold War-era embargo for more than 50 years. The announcement indicates a dramatic shift in U.S. foreign policy toward Cuba, affecting not only diplomatic … Continue Reading

The Joint Plan of Action: A Recap of the Easing Of Sanctions Against Iran By The United States And European Union

This post was also written by Alexandra E. Allan, Laith Najjar, Tom C. Evans On 24 November 2013, an agreement was reached between the E3+3 (also known as the P5+1, and which includes the United States, United Kingdom, Russia, China, France and Germany) and Iran. This agreement, known as the Joint Plan of Action (JPOA), was … Continue Reading

Iran: limited sanctions relief extended to 30 June 2015

In January 2014, both the EU and U.S. brought into force measures which temporarily suspended and relaxed (for an initial period of six months) some of the sanctions in place against Iran. This reflected the Joint Plan of Action (JPOA) agreed to in November 2013 between Iran and the E3+3, also known as the P5+1, … Continue Reading

Condensate Exports Raise Compliance Questions for Purchasers

Recent press reports covering the sale and export of lightly processed condensate from the Eagle Ford Shale have characterized such transactions as a major test to the four-decade-long ban on crude oil exports, and a sign that the ban is crumbling. They are not exactly that. However, as condensate exports become more common, they will … Continue Reading

Federal Appeals Court Holds Employee Directly Liable for Penalties and Duties Related to Negligently Declared Goods – What are the Implications?

On September 16, 2014, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit published its long-awaited decision in United States v. Trek Leather Inc., and its opinion may have created an unintended level of concern among compliance professionals and import departments. Trek Leather is an importer of men’s suits. Its business plan called for the importer … Continue Reading

Further U.S. Sanctions Target Russia’s Energy, Defense and Financial Sectors

As the United States and Russia continue to clash over Russia’s actions in the Ukraine, on September 12, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) issued additional sanctions further restricting designated Russian financial institutions’ access to capital markets, targeting Russian defense entities, and prohibiting exports to Russian entities that have been specifically … Continue Reading

OFAC REVISES SDN OWNERSHIP GUIDANCE

On August 13, 2014, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) revised its guidance on the status of entities owned by persons designated on the Specially Designated Nationals List (“SDN List”).  Under the new guidance, OFAC will consider an entity to be blocked if it is 50 percent or more owned, directly or indirectly, in … Continue Reading

U.S. Expands Export Restrictions Targeting Russia’s Oil and Gas Production

Effective August 6, 2014, the United States Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) issued new regulations, identified as the “Russian Industry Sector Sanctions,” restricting exports and other transfers of certain items subject to the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”) that may benefit Russia’s energy sector.  Newly added EAR section 746.5 imposes licensing requirements … Continue Reading

Foreign Investment in the United States: D.C. Circuit Reversal Could Lead to Increased Transparency for CFIUS

On July 15, the D.C. Circuit held that a presidential order requiring Ralls Corporation to divest its interests in Oregon windfarms because of national security concerns deprived Ralls of its constitutionally protected property interests without due process of law.  In doing so, the D.C. Circuit reversed a district court decision that had emphasized the president’s … Continue Reading

OFAC Targets Russia’s Financial and Energy Sectors in New Sectoral Sanctions

As a result of the ongoing Crimea conflict, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) has issued new sanctions targeting Russian banks and energy companies.  This week, OFAC issued a Ukraine-related Sectoral Sanctions Identifications List (“SSI List”) and Directives 1 and 2 pursuant to Executive Order 13662 (the “Directives”) that provide two … Continue Reading

July Sanctions Update: Ukraine and Iran

This post was also written by Laith Najjar. Since March 2014, we have been closely monitoring the developments relating to the situation in the Ukraine and reporting them as Client Alerts and blog updates. We have set out below a summary of the recent changes in respect of the Ukraine as well as an update … Continue Reading

Crisis in the Crimea: Sanctions Update 4

The European Union has made further additions to the list of sanctioned parties under the regime put in place in response to the Russian Federation’s actions in the Crimea (Regulation 269/2014 and subsequent amendments). On 12 May 2014, the Council of the European Union published Regulation 477/2014, which added an additional 13 individuals to the … Continue Reading

New Ukraine-related Sanctions Curb Exports to Russia and Occupied Crimea

On April 28, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced a new licensing policy restricting exports of “dual use” items that could contribute to Russia’s military capabilities.  Effective immediately, the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) will deny new and pending export license applications to Russia or occupied Crimea of high-technology items that could … Continue Reading

DC Circuit Invalidates Conflict Mineral Reporting Regulations

This week the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit held that the Security and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) final rule concerning “conflict mineral” disclosures is unconstitutional.  Nat’l Assoc. of Mfrs v. SEC, No. 13-5252 (D.C. Cir., decided April 14, 2014).  The SEC rule requires registrants to disclose annually on a Form SD whether their … Continue Reading

Ridiculous and Complicated: Proposed Changes to Support Documents for EAR Licenses

On April 9th, the Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) proposed a rule that would remove certain documentation requirements in connection with Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”) license applications. Export nerds are well aware that changing these requirements would go a long way toward streamlining the license application process (which is ridiculous and complicated). As the … Continue Reading

Crisis in the Crimea: Sanctions Update 3

The Russian Federation and the United States continue to clash over the proposed annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, with the United States adding 20 Russian officials and related persons to its list of sanctioned persons. Some of the persons recently added to the United States’ SDN List were recently sanctioned by the EU, as we … Continue Reading
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