International Trade Compliance News Articles

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Forced Labor Due Diligence – Supply Chain Tracing Requirements to Comply with UFLPA, Withhold Release Orders, and More

Adrienne Braumiller August 22, 2022

We can all agree that goods made from forced labor, indentured labor or child labor should not be introduced into the U.S. market. Indeed, U.S. law prohibits the entry of goods made from forced labor. The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (“UFLPA”) which went into effect as of June 21, 2022, expands on this prohibition by placing a ban on goods from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (“XUAR”) where ethnic minorities are being exploited or certain specified entities that are involved in using forced labor

Primer on Forced Labor Enforcement for U.S. Importers

Adrienne Braumiller August 22, 2022

This Primer provides introductory guidance to complying with U.S. forced labor laws for importers, and includes an introductory overview to forced labor laws, U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) authority to enforce forced labor laws, outlines importer requirements under The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, describes the detention processes for imported goods made with forced labor, lists key recommended compliance actions for adhering to U.S. forced labor laws, and provides helpful resources for complying with U.S. forced labor laws.

Incursion and World Trade, Part 4: Are India and China Coming to Putin’s Rescue? The New Elephant in the Room

Bob Brewer August 22, 2022

Calculations by top economists show that Russia is accumulating about one billion dollars a day on oil and gas exports to fund the invasion.

Relations Between the U.S. and China In One Word, Dismal Is a Decline in Trade Inevitable?

Bob Brewer August 22, 2022

It’s goes without saying, but I will say it anyway, the recent visit to Taiwan by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi certainly didn’t help the already strained relations much, but within her reasoning for defiance of Beijing, the democracies of the world must stand together. The Chinese Embassy has now threatened to go to war with the U.S. over Taiwan.

Is Your Company in Compliance with US Immigration Form I-129 EAR / ITAR Certification Requirements?

Paul Fudacz August 22, 2022

Most companies that employ non-U.S. persons in the United States are familiar with visa requirements, including completing U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Form I-129 – Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker. However, many are less familiar with the affirmative due diligence and certification requirements contained in Part 6 of the I-129.

DDTC is Open to Open General Licenses

Bruce Leeds August 22, 2022

Some may be familiar with Open General Licenses (OGLs) used in the United Kingdom and some other countries. They allow export of dual-use, strategic and other controlled articles to specific destinations under certain conditions.

Evaluating the Efficacy of Sanctions on Russia

Michelle Schulz August 22, 2022

Since the Kremlin’s February 24th invasion of Ukraine, western countries have put in place extensive global financial ramifications. To gauge the extent of effectiveness, one must decipher the numbers behind Russia’s deceiving published economic statistics. One staggering implication of the trade war with the west lies within the entire collapse of the GDP growth acquired in the post-Soviet era.

ImpactDAOs: Shaping the Future of Regenerative Organizations

James Holbein August 22, 2022

As Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) have exploded into public consciousness, new types of DAOs are proliferating. A novel use case for DAOs, termed “ImpactDAOs”, are defined as “any DAO that creates net positive externalities to the ecosystem around it.” An ImpactDAO seeks to use web3 and crypto-economic principles to regenerate a system, increasing resources and sustainability over time.

European Countries Beware, Winter Is Coming, with Ice King Putin Leading the Charge

Victoria Schneider August 22, 2022

If you haven’t heard the words Ukraine or Russia within the last 5 months, one would assume that you must live under a rock, or that you’ve just decided to tune them out. Just as it seemed that we were on our way to being in the clear from the COVID pandemic and getting back to a little bit of normalcy within the global supply chain, the ever-so-sweet Putin decided to invade the Ukraine.

U.S. Initiates Indo-Pacific Economic Framework in the South Pacific

Adrienne Braumiller June 21, 2022

On May 23 in Tokyo, Japan, the U.S., and other countries in the Pacific region launched the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (“IPEF”). The countries included are Australia, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

CBP Releases Guidance related to Complying with the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act

Adrienne Braumiller June 21, 2022

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) released its first set of guidance relating to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (“UFLPA”), which is set to take effect on June 21, 2022. CBP’s guidance takes the form of a website that is a homepage for UFLPA-related guidance, FAQs, webinars, graphics, and CBP contact information. This essential UFLPA homepage can be accessed at: www.cbp.gov/trade/forced-labor/UFLPA.

Incursion and World Trade, Part 3: Over 120+ Days into the Global Effect of Inevitable Food Insecurity

Bob Brewer June 21, 2022

Here we are, at the time of this writing over four months into the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with no end in sight. I will personally submit that I am, appalled that this, the murder of innocent civilians and devastation of another country’s infrastructure, can be permitted to continue, as we watch from the sidelines as if it was just another simple documentary on another war.

Understanding the Statutory Four-Year Review Period of the Tariffs

Jennifer Horvath June 20, 2022

Many importers are eagerly awaiting the United States Trade Representative’s (“USTR”) required four-year review of the Section 301 Chinese tariffs. Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 grants the Office of the USTR a range of responsibilities and authorities to investigate and take action to enforce U.S. rights under trade agreements and respond to certain foreign trade practices.

Indo-Pacific Trade Initiative to Enhance U.S. Economic Influence

James Holbein June 20, 2022

On May 23, 2022, President Biden launched the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) with a dozen initial partners: Australia, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Implications of a United States Central Bank Digital Currency

James Holbein June 15, 2022

This article provides an overview of the issues surrounding CBDCs in a Q&A format to provide a lens for the analysis of the many government reports due in September, October and through the end of this year.

Primer on Deemed Export Compliance

Harold Jackson June 13, 2022

A “deemed” export occurs when certain types of information are released to a foreign person. This primer seeks to describe the introductory concepts of deemed export enforcement in the United States.

The Importance of Compliance Strength During Rapid Growth

Linnea Deeds June 12, 2022

Rapid growth, which usually indicates a positive stage for companies, comes with potential downsides, as seen in the cautionary tale of Toll Holdings.

Russian Sanction Updates and Reporting Requirements: What are your Responsibilities under OFAC?

Adrienne Braumiller April 12, 2022

In response to the Russian Federations’ (“Russia”) invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. Government has recently announced expansive economic sanctions against Russia and its economy. The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) imposed sanctions against multiple parties in Russia to deplete Russian resources for purposes of ending the war.

Critical Updates from the U.S. Trade Representative – The U.S.-China Trade Relationship

Adrienne Braumiller April 10, 2022

Since taking office as the U.S. Trade Representative (“USTR”), Katherine Tai has prioritized trade policies focused on protecting American workers’ rights and promoting sustainable environmental practices through trade agreements.

Incursion and World Trade, Part 2: How to Commit Economic Suicide for Your Country in the Year 2022

Bob Brewer April 10, 2022

From my perspective, as well as what seems to be many others in the west and around the globe, the incredibly long table that Vladimir Putin sits behind separating himself from his minions, as well as other country’s visiting diplomats, whom he is ignoring, has gotten a lot longer, and it’s not a covid related stretch

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