OFAC: Vietnam Beverage Co. Settles with OFAC for $860,000 Over North Korea Sanctions Violations

The Office of Foreign Assets Control settled with Vietnam Beverage Company for $860,000 to resolve 43 apparent violations of the North Korea Sanctions Regulations. They caused US financial institutions to process over $1m in payments for alcoholic beverages sold to…

Justice: Attempted Unlawful Exports and Money Laundering in Iran Scheme

Justice convicted Brian Assi of violations of IEEPA and the Iran Sanctions for attempting unlawful exports without a license, attempting to smuggle goods, submitting false/misleading export information, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. This is because Assi was attempting to…

EAR, ECCN & Licensing

Complying with export regulations! Get some practical understanding of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), the Commerce Control List (CCL), and Export Control Classification Numbers (ECCN). We discussed interpreting the EAR, navigating the CCL, and determining ECCN and License Requirements. Topics…

Justice: Two Russian Nationals Indicted for Smuggling and Wire Fraud

Two Russian nationals have been indicted for export control violations, smuggling, wire fraud, and money laundering. They fraudulently procured microelectronics from US distributors using shell companies to hide that the controlled items were destined for Russia. Read More

CSMS: U.S. Customs and Border Protection Lifts Import Ban on Disposable Gloves

The withhold release order against disposable gloves made by Brightway Holdings and Biopro is being modified. As of 10/11/24 CBP is no longer detaining disposable gloves and will allow them to enter. Read More

East and Gulf Coast Ports Hit by First ILA Strike in Over 40 Years as Contract Expires

The ILA began picket lines early this morning after the contract expired at midnight. The strike impacts 36 ports, all East and Gulf Coast. Currently the US Maritime Association (USMX for some reason) is in negotiations with the International Longshoremen’s…

BIS: Quantum Corporation Fined $150,000 for Antiboycott Violations

Bureau of Industry and Security has imposed a civil penalty of ~$150,000 on Quantum Corporation for alleged violations of antiboycott provisions of the EAR. Quantum is a data storage, management, and protection company that received requests from a UAE distributor…

FTC: GameStop CEO Fined Nearly $1M by FTC for Violating Antitrust Laws in Wells Fargo Stock Purchase

The Federal Trade Commission announced 9/18 that the CEO of GameStop will be paying nearly $1m to settle charges that his acquisition of Wells Fargo shares violated the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Act. The CEO’s acquisition was above the threshold of HSR…

Treasury: Sanctions on Entities and Vessels Smuggling Iranian Oil and Gas to Syria and East Asia

Treasury sanctioned more than a dozen vessels and entities for their involvement in shipment of Iranian crude oil and petroleum gas to Syria and East Asia on behalf of Hezbollah and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard. Read More

CBP: Trade Compliance Partners Can Now Use FTZs for Goods Subject to Forced Labor Action

A new benefit for CTPAT has been implemented! Importers who are CTPAT Trade Compliance partners in good standing may utilize an FTZ for storage of goods subject to potential forced labor action. Read More

OFAC: New Rule Extends Retention Period to 10 Years

Office of Foreign Assets Control published an interim final rule changing recordkeeping requirements for certain transactions from 5 to 10 years. That’s consistent with the OFAC statute of limitations. This will be in effect March 12, 2025. Comments can be…

Value

Getting it right! Proper valuation is necessary to correctly calculate Customs duties, taxes, and fees. Star USA discusses different value calculation methods, related-party transactions, and how to document your work so that you’re prepared for any questions that might arise.…