This is the first in a series of articles called Tools of the Trade, where we will highlight some of the most useful tools and resources for export compliance professionals. Keep checking back for future installments!
Earlier this month, Esterline Technologies Corporation agreed to pay a $20 million civil penalty for alleged violations of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Although the charges against the company are broad, here are some of the key “takeaways” from this case.
Effective January 21st, new unverified list regulations are in effect for entities on the Unverified List. The Unverified List will be erased and a new list will be created. Pay attention to the Federal Register notices to keep up with the list as it is recreated.

If you haven’t already, it’s time to update your ITAR destination control statement on your commercial invoices. As part of the Export Control Reform that implemented on October 15, 2013, a new destination control statement should be used on your export paperwork.
One of the myths I often hear from foreign companies is that they’re not subject to the jurisdiction of U.S. export control regulations. However, earlier this month, OFAC added to the growing list of foreign companies who have run afoul of the U.S. system with a penalty against KMT Group AB from Sweden.

This month, DDTC has introduced new versions of several different forms for exporters to use with their ITAR licenses and registrations. It’s important to use these new versions of the documents, because DDTC will no longer be accepting the previous versions.
There’s a lot of chatter among the export control community this week about the status of export license applications and other activities in light of the U.S. federal government shutdown. One thing is certain, though: all Americans will be impacted in some way by Tuesday’s shutdown.
If there’s a silver lining in every cloud, then the recent ITAR penalties levied against Aeroflex, Inc. and its subsidiaries can hold some valuable lessons for other companies. On July 25, DDTC charged the microelectronics manufacturer with 158 violations of the AECA and ITAR.
On Monday, the State Department published an interim final rule which revises significant portions of the brokering activities controlled by Part 129 of the ITAR. One of the most meaningful changes in this rule is a definition of what “brokering activities” actually means.
A Washington-based manufacturer of printed circuit boards (PCBs) is facing $1 million in fines and 20 months in prison for ignoring U.S. export regulations. Precision Image Corporation and its owner, Chih-Kwang Hwa, recently pleaded guilty to charges that it violated the ITAR.