News & Articles

BIS Issues New Guidelines for Preparing Export License Applications Involving Foreign Persons (Deemed Exports/Reexports) 

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) issued new guidelines to assist deemed export applicants in obtaining licenses. The guidelines primarily apply to employment situations; however, they also address other situations such as the release of controlled technology to foreign students participating in research. 

The guidelines cover basic requirements for applying and renewal and include an application checklist. 

Background on Licenses for Deemed Exports/Reexports 

The obligation to obtain an export license from BIS before releasing controlled technology to a foreign person is informally referred to as a “deemed” export. The release is considered an export to the person’s country or countries of nationality.   

The Export Administration Regulations (EAR), Section 734.13, defines a deemed export as releasing or otherwise transferring “technology” or “source code” to a foreign person in the United States.  

Typical organizations using deemed export licenses include universities, research institutions, bio-chemical firms, medical organizations, and computer companies.    

New Guidance 

 The basic guidance for filling out license applications is set forth in Supplement 1 to part 748 of the EAR. The new guidelines supplement the basic guidance and are intended to assist licensing officers in reviewing license applications more efficiently. 

Basic Requirements 

The guidelines reiterate that applicants must include all the necessary information and documentation required when submitting a license application. BIS will return applications with insufficient information.  

Basic documentation required: 

Bloomberg Law: CBP Recordkeeping Requirements – Retention, the (a)(1)(A) List, and More

Diaz Trade Law is enthusiastic to announce Bloomberg Law published another one of our articles, “CBP Recordkeeping Requirements – Retention, the (a)(1)(A) List, and More”

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Recordkeeping requirements have been part of Customs regulations since the beginning of the Federal government. Over time, Congress and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have modernized the requirements to meet the needs of the community and utilize modern technology. All importers should have a recordkeeping program to ensure every shipment meets the requirements. Failure to produce records to CBP can result in significant penalties.

Regulatory History

Recordkeeping requirements date back to the 1700s. Back in 1789 importers were required to provide Customs with two copies of their manifests, original bills of lading, and even swear an oath as to the accuracy of their records. Failure to produce records or take the oath would result in a fine of five hundred dollars. Even the people working on the ship, if they were unloading it illegally, would face forfeiture of the goods, a $400 fine, and their names would be published in the local State gazette.

Later, Congress put in place more stringent measures to ensure compliance. In 1863, the “Act to prevent and punish Frauds upon the Revenue, to provide for the certain and speedy Collection of Claims in Favor of the United States, and for other Purposes” began requiring three copies of invoices and penalties jumped to a maximum $5,000 for making fraudulent records or concealing/destroying them along with up to two years in prison.

Today, […]

By |2024-11-06T09:55:55-05:00September 12, 2024|Bloomberg, Bloomberg Import|0 Comments

ICYMI: State Department Reaches $200M Settlement with RTX Corporation for Export Violations

The U.S. Department of State has reached a settlement with RTX Corporation to resolve 750 violations of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).

The settlement resolved multiple violations including:

  • Unauthorized exports of defense articles resulting from the failure to establish proper jurisdiction and classification
  • Unauthorized exports of defense articles, including classified defense articles
  • Unauthorized exports of defense articles by employees via hand-carry to proscribed destinations listed in 22 C.F.R. 126.1; and
  • Violations of terms, conditions, and provisos of Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) authorizations

RTX disclosed the violations voluntarily and cooperated with the State Department’s review.

Under the terms of the agreement, RTX will pay a penalty of $200M. $100 million will be suspended and used for remedial compliance measures to improve RTX’s compliance program. RTX must also engage an external Special Compliance Officer to ensure compliance with the agreement for at least 24 months.

This settlement demonstrates the State Department’s priorities in enforcing export controls and the importance of prioritizing compliance programs.

Diaz Trade Law can help create a new export compliance plan for your business or review and update an existing one. To learn more about how we can help, contact us at info@diaztradelaw.com or call us at 305-456-3830.

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Customs and Trade News Weekly Snapshot

Here is a recap of the latest customs and international trade news:      

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 

  • CBP issued guidance on Section 232 additional duties on certain aluminum imports from Mexico. The guidance provides specific HTSUS headings importers should declare and when filers may report “N/A” for the primary and secondary country of smelt. 
  • CBP has delayed the deployment of functionality related to ACE automation of the de minimis $800 threshold until Jan 11.  
  • CBP implements Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS) vague and unacceptable description rejection. 
  • Delaware CBP officers seize over $100k in unmanifested Apple products destined to China. 
  • CBP hosted a Virtual Career Expo on September 5. The expo highlighted law enforcement and mission support opportunities across the nation. 
  • The EPA Supplemental Guidelines document has been updated to version 17. The changes reflect language and text updates including Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) reporting requirements. 
  • The ACE Customer Satisfaction Survey is now open. The survey is voluntary and anonymous and closes on September 11, 2024. 
By |2024-09-06T13:14:00-04:00September 6, 2024|Snapshot|0 Comments

Reminder: New Section 232 Duties on Certain Steel and Aluminum Products from Mexico

On July 10, 2024, President Biden issued two proclamations on adjusting imports of steel and aluminum into the United States. The proclamations increase the section 232 duty rate for both products and adjust the requirements for avoiding section 232 duties.

Steel Proclamation

The steel proclamation implements a melt and pour requirement for imports of steel articles that are products of Mexico. It also increases the section 232 duty rate for imports of steel articles and derivative steel articles that are products of Mexico that are melted and poured in a country other than Mexico, Canada, or the United States. If the country of melt and pour is any country other than the U.S., Mexico, or Canada, then the steel articles are subject to an additional 25% duty.

In making this adjustment, the Administration stated that domestic steel producers’ capacity utilization remains below the target 80 percent capacity utilization recommended in the Secretary of Commerce’s report of January 11, 2018. Additionally, imports of steel articles from Mexico have increased significantly. In the opinion of the Administration and the Secretary of Commerce, these developments indicate the need for further action under section 232.

Aluminum Proclamation

The aluminum proclamation implemented a country of smelt and country of most recent cast requirement for imports of aluminum articles that are products of Mexico. It also increased the section 232 duty rate for imports of aluminum articles and derivative aluminum articles that are products of Mexico containing aluminum for which the reported […]

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