OFAC: U.S. Implements Ban on Russian Nickel, Aluminum, and Copper Imports

New determination based on Executive Order 14068. Nickel, aluminum, and copper of Russian Federation origin is now prohibited from entering or being imported into the US, including admission into an FTZ. Read More

CSMS: Impersonation Scams Surge as Fraudsters Pose as U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officials

Impersonation scams are on the rise. Scammers are posing as U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) employees and demanding payment or sensitive information. If you receive one of these calls, hang up and report the call to the Federal Trade…

Justice: Latvian Arrested for Illegal Sale of US Avionics Equipment to Russia

A Latvian citizen worked with Kansas residents to facilitate the sale of US avionics equipment to customers in Russia. He was arrested in March in Latvia and is pending extradition proceedings. Read More

Justice: Latvian Citizen Arrested for Allegedly Facilitating Sale of US Avionics Equipment to Russia

A Latvian citizen worked with Kansas residents to facilitate the sale of US avionics equipment to customers in Russia. He was arrested in March in Latvia and is pending extradition proceedings. Read More

Justice: Swiss Trading Giant Trafigura Beheer Admits Guilt in Foreign Bribery Scheme

Trafigura Beheer, a trading company operating in Switzerland, plead guilty to a foreign bribery scheme. They’ll pay >$126 million to resolve FCPA violations. They paid bribes to the Brazilian government to secure business with the BR state-owned oil company. Read…

Justice: US Citizen in Taiwan Sentenced to Two Years in Federal Prison

Justice announced the sentence of a US citizen living in Taiwan to two years in federal prison for a conspiracy related to the export of defense materials to Iran. He also has to pay a $10,000 fine. This person shipped…

Justice: Chinese Nationals Indicted for 14-Year Hacking and Wire Fraud Scheme Targeting Businesses and Political Officials

Yesterday an indictment was unsealed that charged seven PRC nationals with conspiracy of hacking and wire fraud. They spent ~14 years targeting businesses and political officials for economic and espionage and foreign intelligence objectives on behalf of China. There’s a…

EPA: EPA Settles with Resonac America Over Illegal Import of Hydrofluorocarbons

The Environmental Protection Agency settled with Resonac America to address their illegal import of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) at the port of LA in 2023 and 2024. They made four imports. They’ll destroy 1,693 pounds of HFCs and pay a $416,003 penalty.…

BIS: Commerce Department Tightens Export Controls to Nicaragua

The Commerce Department published revisions to the EAR 3/14/2024 to increase restrictions on exports to Nicaragua. This is coming after the State Department added Nicaragua to the list of proscribed countries under ITAR. Read More

Justice: Montana Rancher Accused of Wildlife Importing and Certificate Forgery

A Montana rancher has been working for 10+ years to create giant sheep for hunting. Hunting ranches, where animals are raised and then hunted, are illegal in MT since 2000, but Schubarth’s was grandfathered in, and other states still allow…

Justice: Ford Settles Civil Penalty Claims for $365M

Ford is agreeing to pay $365M to settle civil penalty claims from CBP relating to misclassified and undervalued vehicles. Read More

Justice: Google Software Engineer Arrested for Allegedly Stealing AI Secrets for Sale to Chinese Companies

A Chinese national who was employed as a software engineer at Google was stealing Google’s proprietary information on AI. He transferred it to his personal account, and planned to sell it to PRC-based companies. He was arrested in Newark. The…