Trade & Sanctions

Commerce Preliminary Affirmative Determination on Freight Rail Couplers from India

The U.S. Department of Commerce announced a preliminary affirmative determination in the countervailing duty investigation of freight rail couplers from India. Preliminary subsidy rates range from 5.90% to 64.27%, with specific rates assigned to individual exporters. The final determination is scheduled for July 13, 2026.

Commerce Revises Semiconductor Export Policy to China

The Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has revised its licensing policy for semiconductor exports to China. Applications for specific advanced chips will now be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, provided certain national security and compliance requirements are met.

Applied Materials Pays $252M Penalty for Illegal China Exports

The Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) announced a settlement with Applied Materials Inc. (AMAT) and Applied Materials Korea, Ltd. (AMK) for illegally exporting semiconductor manufacturing equipment to China. AMAT and AMK will pay a penalty of approximately $252 million, the second-highest ever imposed by BIS.

Bulgarian National Sentenced for Illegal Export of Microelectronics

A Bulgarian national was sentenced to 38 months time served for conspiracy to illegally export U.S.-origin sensitive microelectronics to Russia. The scheme involved acquiring radiation-hardened electronic circuits from a U.S. company and shipping them to Russia between 2014 and 2018, violating export control laws.

BIS Administrative Enforcement Settlement with Vizicom ICT

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has reached an administrative enforcement settlement with Vizicom ICT. The settlement resolves alleged violations of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Specific details of the settlement and any penalties are available in the official order.

BIS Enforcement Settlement with Teledyne FLIR LLC

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has reached an administrative enforcement settlement with Teledyne FLIR LLC and its affiliates. The settlement resolves alleged violations of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Specific details of the violations and penalties are outlined in the settlement order.

OFAC Designations and General License for Counter Terrorism

The US Treasury's OFAC has designated individuals linked to terrorism, narcotics trafficking, and atrocities in Sudan. These actions update the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List and include the issuance of a general license authorizing the wind-down of transactions involving Kovay Gardens.

Treasury Sanctions Exploit Broker Network for Cyber Tools

The U.S. Department of the Treasury's OFAC has sanctioned four individuals and one entity for their involvement in a network that exploits and sells U.S. government cyber tools. These designations are related to Russia-related sanctions and cyber-related activities.

OFAC Settles Syrian Sanctions Violations for $3,777,000

The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced an individual settled potential civil liability for $3,777,000 related to apparent violations of Syrian sanctions. The violations involved providing managerial services to Syrian real estate companies between January 2018 and December 2021.

Venezuela-related FAQ on Oil Resale

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued a new Frequently Asked Question (FAQ 1238) regarding the resale of Venezuelan origin oil to Cuba. This FAQ provides clarification on existing sanctions regulations.