What Is the Enforce and Protect Act (EAPA)? The Enforce and Protect Act of 2015 was enacted as part of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act (TFTEA) and became effective in August 2016, this law gives US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) authority to investigate and stop evasion of antidumping (AD) and countervailing duties (CVD) on imported goods. Its purpose is to protect US…
Often, when we think of export compliance, our focus is on the Shipping Department and boxes going out the door. But did you know that OFAC recently settled with a Chicago Private Equity fund for $11.48M? This firm had been managing a $50M investment that had ties to Suleiman Kerimov, a sanctioned Russian oligarch and…
Screening is an essential element of all export compliance programs. Serious penalties for noncompliance do exist in this area, even when it’s unintentional. It’s important that every exporter be aware of some basic best practices for effective and successful screening. Garbage In – Garbage Out… Data integrity is crucial! We’ve all heard the saying garbage…
Eight miles outside of Baltimore, along a railroad line dating back to late 1800s, lies a sleepy little town of just 10,000 people. You’ll find quiet, tree-lined streets. An old stone church. And just up the road, across from Panera Bread, in a nondescript, one-story brick industrial building, a few dozen employees work in a…
Individuals Can Be Debarred Too Most know that companies that violate the export regulations can be fined, penalized and lose their right to export. But did you know that not only companies, but individuals can also be held to that same standard? And that some of these individuals are located right here in the United…
The U.S. Government has certainly had a busy summer, and the current administration was serious about its commitment to increased enforcement. Months ago, they stressed that enforcement was coming, and they have indeed followed through on that promise. See the below table for recent examples. Who? Penalty What Happened? Andritz, Inc. (Pennsylvania) $1.6 million Exported…
Why Identifying Red Flags Matters in Trade Compliance Many companies sell products worldwide, which is why it is important to identify trade compliance issues and red flags to prevent an export violation from occurring. This blog acts as a reminder and points out some important questions to ask yourself when processing transactions that involve shipping…
In today’s globalized world, it’s not uncommon for travelers to find themselves in a position where they need to transport commercial items across borders. Whether you’re a small business owner attending a trade show or a Fortune 500 company employee taking a spare replacement part to a customer, hand-carrying commercial items can present a unique…
Regulatory Blast – Drinking from a Firehose! The recent regulatory landscape is ever changing. In fact, I am finding it hard to stay up to date – and I am what some may say “experienced”! The other day, I told a colleague that I had not had an easy question to answer that week! In…
Did you know that the anti-boycott laws are part of export compliance? If not, you are not alone as this is often an overlooked due diligence requirement necessary to comply with the U.S. export laws. Understanding what U.S. anti-boycott compliance means and how it affects day-to-day operations is key to adhering to the requirements. These…