The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls will hold another Defense Export Control and Compliance System webinar on June 10, DDTC said in a notice this week. The webinar will cover updates to DECCS that took effect since the last webinar (see 2004080022), the State Department’s response to COVID-19, frequently asked questions, best practices and a question-and-answer session. The webinar will take place 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. EDT; login information is provided in the notice.
The Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security corrected the formatting for an April final rule that expanded licensing requirements for certain military-related exports to China, Russia and Venezuela, according to a notice. The corrected format “publishes the full text of each revised Export Control Classification Number on the Commerce Control List,” the notice said. BIS issued the correction because the agency “felt it was easier for compliance purposes,” said Hillary Hess, BIS’s regulatory policy director, speaking during a June 2 Regulations and Procedures Technical Advisory Committee meeting. “It does not change the substance of the rule at all.”
The United Kingdom’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation removed and amended designations on its Syria sanctions list, according to a June 1 notice. The notice removes sanctions from four entries: Maen Rizk Allah Haykal, Jamea Jamea, Hayan Kaddour and Developers Private Joint Stock Company. The notice also amends an entry for Qasem Soleimani, who is still subject to an asset freeze.
The United Kingdom’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation amended an entry for Martin Koumtamadji, the leader of an anti-government militia in the Central African Republic, according to a June 1 notice. Koumtamadji, who was also sanctioned by the United Nations Security Council (see 2005060021), is still subject to an asset freeze.
The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned four companies and four vessels for operating in Venezuela's oil sector, according to a June 2 press release. The designated entities include Marshall Islands-based Afranav Maritime Ltd., owner of the Panamanian-flagged Athens Voyager; Greece-based Seacomber Ltd., owner of the Maltese flagged Chios I; Marshall Islands-based Adamant Maritime Ltd., owner of Bahamian-flagged Seahero; and Marshall Islands-based Sanibel Shiptrade Ltd., owner of the Marshall Islands-flagged Voyager I.
Export Compliance Daily is providing readers with some of the top stories for May 26-29 in case you missed them.
The Commerce Department again renewed an export denial order for Mahan Airways because the airline continues to violate the order and the Export Administration Regulations, according to a May 29 notice. The Iranian airline has been on the banned list since 2008, and the notice renewed the ban for 180 days, until about Dec. 2, 2020, Commerce said. Since last renewing Mahan’s denial order in December (see 1912050032), the U.S. sanctioned a China-based logistics company for operating as a sales agent for Mahan Airways (see 2005190020 and 2005200027).
The United Nations Security Council renewed its arms embargo and sanctions against South Sudan, the UN said May 29. The measures are extended until July 1, 2021. The European Union had urged the UN to renew the embargo (see 2005040018). The U.S. renewed sanctions against the country in April (see 2004020018).
China reportedly ordered its state-controlled companies to stop buying certain U.S. agricultural products after the U.S. certified last week that Hong Kong no longer qualifies for special trade treatment. The decision also came after President Donald Trump said the U.S. will sanction Chinese officials, increase export controls on dual-use technologies, and end the special customs territory in response to Beijing’s so-called national security law (see 2005290047), which the State Department said threatens Hong Kong’s autonomy (see 2005270026).
Germany asked the European Union to impose sanctions on Russia for a 2015 cyberattack on Germany’s parliament, Germany’s Federal Foreign Office said May 28, according to an unofficial translation. Germany said it will ask the EU to invoke its “cyber sanctions regime … with respect to those responsible for the attack,” including Russian national Dmitri Badin. Germany issued an arrest warrant for Badin after alleging he worked with others to “carry out intelligence activities” against the country. Germany added that it is considering “further measures.”