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Capabilities / Export Controls & Economic Sanctions

Export Controls & Economic Sanctions

Overcoming global trade challenges.

Manufacturers, distributors, retailers, technology companies, service providers, and foreign suppliers turn to Husch Blackwell for guidance on export controls and economic sanctions. We advise on compliance and licensing related to Export Administration Regulations (EAR); International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR); Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) regulations; trade sanctions and embargoes administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC); Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) compliance and representation; and anti-boycott compliance.

The multidisciplinary strength of the broader firm enables us to call on attorneys in other strategic areas of law, including corporate, government relations, white collar crime and investigations, intellectual property, and environmental matters.

Representative Experience

  • Led worldwide investigation on U.S. export controls and economic sanctions compliance for global supplier of equipment for oil and gas exploration.
  • Conducted deemed export control reviews for various global pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and financial services clients.
  • Represented global media and communications clients before OFAC in trade sanctions investigation.
  • Submitted numerous voluntary disclosures to Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC), Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), Bureau of Census, Foreign Trade Division (Census), and OFAC concerning export compliance issues, including unlicensed exports of goods and technical data.
  • Advised clients on export controls, sanctions, FCPA, and antiboycott matters, including internal audits and investigations.
  • Provided acquisition due diligence advice to clients in export controls, sanctions, and FCPA matters.
  • Reviewed documentation to determine whether it contains antiboycott information/language, which would prohibit an activity or require reporting to the Department of Commerce as per the EAR.
  • Analyzed exported goods to assist in determination of applicability of export control licensing/approvals by BIS and DDTC; advised clients concerning commodity classifications for Export Control Classification Numbers and United States Munitions List.
  • Counseled a global financial reporting service on U.S. sanctions compliance in connection with a reporter’s pending trip to Iran to cover an extremely urgent assignment, which entailed advising on authorized types of travel under pre-existing general licenses for journalistic activities and also confirming what electronic devices the reporter could and could not take with them into Iran under applicable U.S. export controls.
  • Counseled a leading biofuel producer and commodities trader on potential U.S. economic sanctions applicable to them as a result of their contemplated entry into a cross-border joint venture with a Mexican counterparty that was simultaneously engaged in ongoing transactions with the Cuban government. This work included performing sanctions diligence on the Mexican counterparty as well as advising the client on how to restrict its own operations and the joint venture’s operations in order to avoid violating U.S. sanctions against Cuba.
  • Assisted client in matters involving U.S. export controls and trade sanctions including advice relating to ongoing sales, installation, and training activities performed in Iran and associated payment transactions conducted under various General Licenses issued by the U.S. Treasury Department – Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
  • Assisted in an internal export compliance review of client’s export shipments of EAR and ITAR controlled aviation equipment and parts, including preparing and submitting various voluntary self-disclosures under the EAR and Census Foreign Trade Regulations, as well as advising and assisting client in conducting an internal investigation relating to certain unauthorized shipments to countries in the Middle East.
  • Served as outside export controls and trade sanctions compliance counsel to a publicly traded transportation company including entry into a joint venture with a Russian counterparty which involved the transfer of certain product designs to the joint venture and the development of appropriate safeguards to prevent the joint venture from potential reexports to prohibited and sanctioned parties in Russia or the Crimea Region of Ukraine.
Blog | November 15, 2024
October 2024 Trade Law Updates
Blog | October 09, 2024
September 2024 Trade Law Updates
Blog | September 12, 2024
August 2024 Trade Law Updates
White Papers | December 28, 2023
International Trade Law: 2023 Year in Review & Outlook for 2024

U.S. importers and exporters are navigating a new enforcement landscape where government officials are working collectively across agencies and increasingly leveraging new technologies.

White Papers | December 21, 2022
International Trade Law: 2022 Year in Review & Outlook for 2023

How to get trade ready in 2023.

Blog | July 06, 2022
June 2022 Trade Law Update
White Papers | December 2021
International Trade Law: 2021 Year in Review & 2022 Outlook

How to get trade ready in 2022.

Blog | December 06, 2021
November 2021 Trade Law Update
Blog | November 03, 2021
October 2021 Trade Law Update
Blog | September 07, 2021
August 2021 Trade Law Update
White Papers | December 2020
International Trade Law: 2020 Year in Review & 2021 Outlook

How to get trade ready in 2021.

White Papers | December 2019
International Trade Law: 2019 Year in Review & 2020 Outlook

How to get trade ready in 2020.

The firm anticipates clients' needs and provides clear, concise and business-minded advice in a very timely fashion.

Chambers USA 2023