On January 26, 2024, the US Departments of State, Treasury, Commerce, Homeland Security, and Labor, and the Office of the US Trade Representative published a Supplemental Business Advisory (“Supplemental Advisory”) intended to highlight additional high-risk sectors and activities and update guidance for individuals, businesses, financial institutions, and other persons (e.g., investors, consultants, non-governmental organizations, due diligence service providers) regarding continued risks of doing business in Myanmar/Burma. The Supplementary Advisory incorporates significant sanctions developments against Myanmar…
On December 11, 2023, the US Departments of Commerce, the Treasury, Justice, State, and Homeland Security issued a “Quint-Seal” Compliance Note titled Know Your Cargo: Reinforcing Best Practices to Ensure the Safe and Compliant Transport of Goods in Maritime and Other Forms of Transportation (“Note”). The Note is directed at the maritime and other transportation industries—including transportation companies, maintenance companies, insurance providers, financial institutions, and “other entities involved in funding and facilitating the transport of…
On October 18, 2023, the US Departments of Commerce, State, Treasury, and Justice issued the Iran Ballistic Missile Procurement Advisory (the “Advisory”) to alert persons and businesses to Iran’s ballistic missile procurement activities. The Departments of State and Justice also issued separate statements related to the Advisory. The Advisory and related statements underscore the US Government’s concerns about Iran’s ballistic missile program and its efforts to stymie that program. In addition, the US Government and…
On September 8, 2023, the US Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) published a Financial Trend Analysis (“FTA”) highlighting trends related to suspected evasion of Russia-related export controls observed in reports required to be filed by financial institutions with FinCEN under the Bank Secrecy Act (“BSA”), such as through suspicious activity reports. The FTA highlights certain evasion red flags useful for purposes of companies’ own compliance efforts, while also serving as a…