Cover story

Can Cuba Deliver?

A year ago, a breakthrough was expected in the U.S.-Cuba economic relationship when the Biden administration approved the first OFAC license allowing direct investment in and direct financing to a privately-owned Cuban company. However, no funds have been delivered, due to a lack of regulatory framework by the Cuban government, and conviction in Washington is lacking.

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June 2023 Export Practitioner

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- BIS Update Conference Set for November 28 -30
  
  The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) will hold the 2023 Update Conference on Export Controls and Policy from Tuesday, November 28 through …
- BIS: Comments Sought on SNAP-R Form
  
  The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) oversees the administration of this authority via the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). The BIS …
- OFAC / Quad Shield Guidance on Iran UAVs
  
  Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has published Guidance to Industry on Iran’s UAV-Related Activities. The The 12 page …
- Micronesia Cable Project Underway
  
  The State Department announced Tuesday that work to manufacture and lay the East Micronesia Cable (EMC) is officially underway. The EMC …
- OFAC / Iran Missile Actors Sanctioned
  
  Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed sanctions on a network encompassing seven individuals and six entities across Iran, …
- House, Senate Study Export Controls
  
  Export practitioners and regulators were called to the hill in recent weeks to explain to lawmakers what was being done and what could be …

Sanctions

More Syria Sanctions

Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has announced sanctions against two Syrian money service businesses, Al-Fadel Exchange and Al-Adham Exchange Company, for their covert aid to the …

Sudan Sanctions Pressure Combatants

Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated four companies generating revenue from, and contributing to, the conflict in Sudan. The entities designated today are affiliated with the two embattled forces that are fueling the ongoing conflict in Sudan: two companies affiliated with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and two companies affiliated with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). Consistent with OFAC’s policy of supporting the basic needs of vulnerable populations while continuing to deny resources to malign actors, OFAC is issuing three general licenses (GLs) concurrent with today’s action.

California Fashion Brand Ups Russian Investment

American fashion brand Guess has reacquired its 30% stake from its Russian partner Vyacheslav Shikulov, an unusual move for the Russian fashion market. The deal, valued at €8 million (US$8.5 million), has consolidated 100% of Guess's Russian business after receiving approval from the US Treasury Department.

Enforcement

Justice, Commerce Maintain Self-Disclosure Drumbeat

Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Polite Jr. , head of the Department of Justice's (DOJ) criminal division, reports an increase in corporate disclosures following the implementation of new …

Viet Procurement Office Faces Debarment for ITAR Violations

The Vietnamese government-owned company VTA Telecom Corporation (VTA) has been administratively debarred for violating the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), according to a public notice issued by the Department of State. VTA Telecom Corporation was found to have exported or attempted to export ITAR-controlled defense articles, including hobby rocket motors, video trackers, and a gas turbine engine, without proper authorization.

EV Exec on Lam After Indictment for IP Theft from Apple

Weibao Wang, a former software engineer for Apple Inc. and executive at an electric vehicle startup owned by Chinese firms Baidu and Geely, was indicted and charged by the U.S. Department of Justice for allegedly stealing Apple's proprietary self-driving technology.

Policy Briefs

FinCEN and BIS Publish Updated Russia Alert

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) of the U.S. Department of Commerce have issued a supplemental joint alert urging financial institutions …

TTC on Export Controls & Investment

In their Joint Statment, members of the US - EU Trade and Technology Council expressed support for the ongoing sanctions activities, export and investment controls:

ITC Annual Services Report Published

The United States was the world's largest services market and was the top exporter and importer of services in 2021, according to a new report released by the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC). Preliminary data for 2022 indicate an increase of 15.9 percent in total services exports compared to the previous year.

Licensing

DDTC Updates Open General License Pilot Program FAQs and Factsheet

Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) has released new frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding the Open General License (OGL) Pilot Program. In addition, DDTC has released updated versions of previously published OGL FAQs and related factsheet

Where There's an Export, There's an Import: Compliance Data Science and Six Sigma

The intersection of information technology (IT) and trade control brings to light the critical role of importing and exporting technical data in today's globalized world. The maxim "Where there is an …

Seagate Fined $300 Million for Huawei Violations

Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has imposed a $300 million civil penalty on Seagate Technology LLC and its Singapore subsidiary for alleged violations of U.S. export controls related to selling hard disk drives (HDDs) to Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. This penalty is the largest standalone administrative penalty in BIS history and includes a multi-year audit requirement and a five-year suspended Denial Order.