Tag Archives: trade

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

Federal Trade Commission Announces Adjusted HSR Thresholds for 2012

On January 24, 2012, the Federal Trade Commission announced the annual threshold adjustments for premerger filings under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (15 U.S.C. § 18a) (“HSR”). The new thresholds have increased the dollar amount required to trigger HSR notification with respect to both the size-of-transaction and size-of-person tests. The revised HSR thresholds … Continue Reading

Sound and Fury: The Effectiveness, or Lack Thereof, of the Foreign Contractor Tax

This post was also written by Steven D. Tibbets. In early 2011, Congress passed the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 (“9/11 Act”). A last-minute amendment to the statute imposed a two-percent excise tax on foreign contractors to fund health benefits for 9/11 emergency responders. The tax has been much remarked-upon, but we … Continue Reading

Federal Filing Requirements for Logistics Companies Eased

This post was written by Matthew J. Thomas. The US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), which regulates US international ocean shipping services, has made life easier for thousands of logistics companies and their import/export customers. The FMC regulates a broad range of “ocean transportation intermediaries,” the logistics providers and forwarders who connect importers and exporters with … Continue Reading

Pending Iranian Sanctions Could Significantly Impact European Entities

This post was also written by Anne Borkovic. The United States Congress is currently considering legislation that would increase the scope and application of the U.S. sanctions against Iran: The Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act of 2009 (S. 2799) and the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act of 2009 (H.R. 2194). These changes could significantly … Continue Reading
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