Do You Know Where Your Risk of Loss Begins?
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Do You Know Where Your Risk of Loss Begins?

Disruptions from supply chain and logistics backups have been all over the news lately. The problem is so serious that it’s even made it to the funny pages. Aside from these current systemic issues, every international sale poses logistics and supply chain concerns, since merchandise may get delayed, lost, or damaged in transit. The question then becomes which party,…

Electrical Engineer Sentenced to More Than Five Years in Prison for Conspiring to Illegally Export to China Semiconductor Chips with Military Uses

Electrical Engineer Sentenced to More Than Five Years in Prison for Conspiring to Illegally Export to China Semiconductor Chips with Military Uses

A California man was sentenced today to 63 months, or more than five years, in prison for his role in a scheme to illegally export integrated circuits with military applications to China the required filing of electronic export information. As part of his sentence, the Judge ordered Shih to pay $362,698 in restitution to the…

DDTC Consent Agreement Highlights Technical Data Export Challenges
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DDTC Consent Agreement Highlights Technical Data Export Challenges

It’s my long-held position that technology controls present the most challenging export compliance challenge. Last month’s consent agreement between the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls and Honeywell International illustrates my point quite well. As we’ll discuss, Honeywell fell into three of the most common traps for unauthorized exports of controlled information. Companies subject to the International Traffic…

Settlements for Exports of Controlled Encryption Software to Iran
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Settlements for Exports of Controlled Encryption Software to Iran

OFAC and BIS regulations SAP, a German multinational software corporation with a significant U.S. presence, recently settled allegations that it violated OFAC and BIS regulations concerning exports of software, upgrades, and patches from the United States to Iran and Iranian companies.  The settlement amounts totaled in excess of $6.4 million. In the following transcript George…

International Trade Policy Under the Biden Administration: What to Expect
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International Trade Policy Under the Biden Administration: What to Expect

Internal Trade Policy In the following transcript, George W. Thompson discusses the likely impacts on American international trade policies under the Biden administration. Explore our international trade courses here. If you expected that the Biden international trade policy would mean a break from that under the Trump administration. Well, I hate to disappoint you, but…

Manufacturer’s “Made in U.S.A.” Claim Challenged as False by FTC
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Manufacturer’s “Made in U.S.A.” Claim Challenged as False by FTC

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed a Federal District Court complaint alleging that Chemence, Inc. committed unfair trade practices by claiming its merchandise, glue, is “Made in the U.S.A.” The FTC is charged with enforcement of statutes prohibiting the use of “unfair or deceptive acts or practices” in commerce.  Its lawsuit seeks an injunction against…

More Apparent OFAC Violations Involving Foreign Subsidiary Companies
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More Apparent OFAC Violations Involving Foreign Subsidiary Companies

Parenting can be such a chore.  Minding wayward little ones, cleaning up after them, and getting hit with six-figure Treasury Department penalties for their misbehavior can offset the joy of beholding the smiles on their cherubic faces. Did I say Treasury Department penalties? Yes, they can arise when the parent is a U.S.-based company and…

“Made in USA” Rules — The Federal Trade Commission Wants to Hear from You
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“Made in USA” Rules — The Federal Trade Commission Wants to Hear from You

The Federal Trade Commission’s rules governing assertions that a product is “Made in the U.S.” can be confusing. As we’ve discussed on various occasions, that agency has strict standards on when claims of United States origin are permissible. I won’t repeat the Made In/Assembled In and qualified and unqualified claim distinctions here, except to note that they…

Export Compliance Checklist – 5 Questions to Help You Get Started
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Export Compliance Checklist – 5 Questions to Help You Get Started

Why Exporting your product is a good idea Expanding your bottom line and selling to customers abroad is likely part of your business strategy or on your roadmap.  It is no wonder why, according to a study by the Institute for International Economics, U.S. companies that export not only grow faster, but are nearly 8.5…