Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS)

The U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has amended the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to restrict exports to Venezuela of certain items intended for “a military end use or end user.”  These changes complement a pre-existing U.S. arms embargo against Venezuela – in place since 2006 – that was imposed because of Venezuela’s failure to cooperate on counterterrorism initiatives.
Continue Reading Drop Your Weapons: The United States Restricts Military Exports to Venezuela

Glancing through the fictional but fascinating Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Rsch. Ford Prefect; Pub. Megadodo Publications), one might recognize that the assertions therein are a bit confusing. Similarly, one might become confused when reviewing another, less whimsical, guide to the galaxy: the revised United States Munitions List Category XV – Spacecraft and Related Articles.

On November 10, 2014 Export Control Reform revisions will go into effect reshaping the USML category that has covered communications satellites for nearly 20 years. If you are responsible for complying with satellite export controls, we offer the same profound and pithy advice one finds right on the cover of the Hitchhiker’s Guide, “Don’t Panic.”Continue Reading ECR Episode XI: Rewriting the Guide to the Galaxy – Satellites Passed to Commerce Control

Here is a summary of export data for the first year after the initial implementation of ECR:

  • There have been over 61,000 shipments of 600 series items since October 2013.
  • The 600 series exports are valued at approximately $2.1 billion.
  • The top 600 series ECCNs exported are:

Continue Reading Bulletin: Commerce Department Statistics on the First Year of Export Control Reform

The Year Mark

Apparently, it is now fashionable among my peers to host elaborate parties in honor of the first birthdays of their children. I have attended a number of these fêtes, and been impressed to just what lengths the parents will go to celebrate twelve months of growth and achievement for a Guest of Honor who will almost certainly not recall the event. However, we at the Global Trade Law Blog are nothing if not fashionable (thanks to our firm’s Fashion and Apparel blog – your move, “white shoe” firms) and are not to be left out of the latest trend.  As such, we are throwing our own birthday party, celebrating the first anniversary of Export Control Reform.Continue Reading ECR Episode IX: The Export Control Reform Turns One – What are Your Plans for the Big Celebration?

The pressure on Russia continues to build.  As we previously reported here and here, throughout March, the United States and other Western powers implemented a series of sanctions against individuals and entities deemed to be involved in the political destabilization of Ukraine.  Those sanctions were restricted to specific parties, including high ranking Russian and Ukrainian officials and – notably – one Russian bank.
Continue Reading Starving the Bear: The United States Restricts Exports to Russia

We have eaten all the holiday meals and treats, we have counted down and watched the ball drop, and we have emptied a fair few champagne bottles.  Now, we are all resolving to be leaner, nimbler, smarter, and stronger in the New Year.

So is the ITAR.Continue Reading ECR Episode VIII: New Rules for the New Year

By: Reid Whitten

First they came by air, now by sea and by land.

On July 8, 2013, the U.S. Department of State published its final rule revising controls on naval vessels and military vehicles contained in the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).   The changes will take effect on January 6, 2014 and will revise United States Munitions List Category VI (Surface Vessels and Special Naval Equipment), Category VII (Ground Vehicles), and Category XX, (now named Submersible Vessels and Related Articles)The final rule also makes changes to Category XII (Materials and Miscellaneous Articles) which are noteworthy and will be covered separately in an upcoming episode of this series.

This article covers highlights of the regulatory changes for naval vessels and military vehicles, notes the pattern of the Export Control Reform revisions, and comments on how these changes may be important to you and your business.
Continue Reading ECR Series Episode V: Revisions to Naval Vessel and Military Vehicle Controls – A Regulatory Sea (and Land) Change

By: Fatima Merchant

Background

In Episode 1 and Episode 2 of this series, we discussed some key points of U.S. Export Control Reform and took you through a step-by-step reclassification analysis of parts and components transitioning from the USML to the EAR.  After determining that the items you export will move from the USML to the CCL, you will need to evaluate your licensing requirements.
Continue Reading Export Control Reform Series Episode III: Harmonizing EAR Exceptions and ITAR Exemptions

By: Mark Jensen

For the last nine months, the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has been collaborating with NASA, the U.S. Air Force, and the National Reconnaissance Office on a “Deep Dive” survey and assessment of the U.S. space industrial base supply chain network.  The survey was originally distributed to 9,150 companies and other organizations.  Through January 2013, the government had received more than 2,000 responses, which yield a great deal of data about the space industry in the United States.

Continue Reading A “Deep Dive” into Space and Export Controls

By: Curt Dombek and Mark Jensen

On June 19, The U.S. Department of State, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) and U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) proposed a joint, largely standardized definition of “specially designed” that would apply to items on both the Commerce Control List (CCL) and U.S. Munitions List (USML).  The definition represents a major step in the functional merger of the two lists.  Once implemented, it should ease the administrative burden of U.S. export compliance on companies whose work touches both areas and clarify the status of a large number of items.  One thing it will not do (and which may never be done) is remove ambiguity from the lists altogether.
Continue Reading All Together Now: A New Joint Definition of “Specially Designed”