boycott

You’ve Been Asked to Boycott – What to Know Before You Self‑Disclose

Companies engaged in international trade occasionally encounter requests that raise red flags under the U.S. anti‑boycott regulations. Whether the request appears in a tender document, a purchase order, a letter of credit, oral agreement, verbal request to furnish particular information, or a casual email, the moment you spot boycott‑related language, and become aware that your organization has complied with the request, the clock starts ticking to self-disclose to the Office of Antiboycott Compliance (OAC)

2025 and Beyond: BIS Updates Boycott Requester List

On April 3, 2025, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) published an updated list of foreign companies that have made boycott-related requests, including requests to comply with the Arab League boycott of Israel. In addition to removing 18 entities who have certified that they have ceased making such prohibited requests, BIS added 30 parties to its list (outlined below). Majority of the newly listed entities are domiciled in Malaysia, which aligns with the country’s foreign policy position that it refuses diplomatic and economic relations with Israel. While companies generally want to comply with the laws of every jurisdiction in which they operate, it is important to understand the risks of non-compliance with OAC rules.  

As recommended by BIS, U.S. companies are encouraged to diligently review transaction documents from all sources, especially those involving these listed parties, to identify possible boycott-related language and to determine whether their recipients have a reporting requirement to BIS.   

If you are unsure whether the language of your contracts must be reported to the OAC or concerned about doing business in jurisdictions where listed entities have been identified, contact Diaz Trade Law today at info@diaztradelaw.com or 305-456-3830.  

Want more information on OAC compliance? Read more here. 

ICYMI: BIS Updates Boycott Requester List

The Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) published its first quarterly update of the Boycott Requester List. The list notifies companies, freight forwarders, financial entities, and individuals of potential sources of boycott-related requests that they may receive.

Background on Boycott Requests

BIS is charged with enforcing anti-boycott laws under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). The laws prohibit U.S. companies from taking actions in furtherance of a boycott maintained by a foreign country against a country friendly to the United States. Common boycott requests include:

  • Requesting a certification that goods are not from a specific country
  • Requesting that goods are not shipped to a certain country
  • Requesting that a business does not engage with a particular country

U.S. persons must report boycott-related requests to BIS’s Office of Anti-boycott Compliance (OAC).

Boycott Requester List

OAC maintains a boycott-requester list to raise awareness and assist U.S. persons in identifying sources of boycott-related requests.

Entities on the list have been reported by a U.S. person to BIS via a request report form. The list is updated quarterly but is not an exhaustive list of entities that may make these requests.

The most recent update to the list includes 57 additions and the removal of 127 entities.

Requesting countries added in the most recent update include:

  • Afghanistan
  • Algeria
  • Bangladesh
  • Germany
  • India
  • Iraq
  • Japan
  • Kuwait
  • Malaysia
  • Norway
  • Oman
  • Pakistan
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Singapore
  • Switzerland
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Qatar
  • Vietnam

Exporters have a duty to remain vigilant in spotting boycott-related requests and reporting them to […]

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