Three top Senate Democrats urged President Joe Biden to reverse a Trump-era rule that transferred export controls of firearms, ammunition and other defense items from the State Department to the Commerce Department, saying the transfer creates less oversight over dangerous weapons exports. The January 2020 rule (see 2001170030) put in place “less-restrictive controls” over a range of lethal weapons, Sens. Bob Menendez of New Jersey, Dianne Feinstein of California and Patrick Leahy of Vermont said in an April 19 letter. They also said the transfer eliminated Congress’ ability to “be aware of and legally disapprove” of sales above $1 million.
The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls’ Defense Export Control and Compliance System will undergo scheduled system maintenance April 19, DDTC said April 15. The system’s registration and licensing applications will be unavailable to industry from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. EDT. DDTC said users should make sure their work in progress is saved before the downtime.
The State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls issued new guidance and frequently asked questions for the increased export controls against Russia announced in March (see 2103170022). The April 12 guidance provides a summary of the changes to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and answers common questions about impacts to export licenses, license reviews and which activities are caught by the restrictions.
The recent U.S. decision to increase sanctions and export controls on Russia, although largely narrow, could have significant implications for exporters doing business in Russia, law firms said. U.S. companies should pay close attention to new restrictions on certain controlled services and the potential impacts of the restrictions on disclosure and reporting requirements, the firms said.
The State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls “refreshed” information on its website related to Canada, including country policies and exemptions, DDTC said in a March 12 notice. The agency said it updated information surrounding the details of the Canadian exemption, “key Canadian partners,” Canada’s Controlled Goods Program, a Canadian exemption user guide and frequently asked questions.
The U.S. issued a series of increased export controls against Russia for the poisoning of Russian political opposition leader Alexei Navalny, including tighter restrictions on license exceptions and national security-controlled goods. The restrictions, first announced earlier this month (see 2103020067) but outlined in more detail in notices released March 17, will introduce new conditions and restrictions over sensitive exports to Russia and end certain U.S. arms sales to the county, the Commerce and State departments said. The restrictions take effect March 18.
The State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls will hold a webinar March 18 on using the Defense Export Control Compliance System licensing application, DDTC said in a March 11 notice, which includes login information. The webinar will cover “key issues brought forward” by DECCS users over the past year, including uploading documents and tracking applications. The webinar will also give a “sneak preview” of upcoming DECCS features.
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The State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls issued guidance March 2 on how it will implement the increased export restrictions against Russia for the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny (see 2103020067). DDTC said it will amend the International Traffic in Arms Regulations to add Russia to the list of countries subject to a policy of denial for defense exports and services. That restriction will include certain exceptions, including a case-by-case review for exports that support “government space cooperation” and a six-month exception for exports that support “commercial space launches,” which will also be subject to a case-by-case review. DDTC said other exemptions will be provided for exports to Russia “when in furtherance of government space cooperation.”
The U.S. sanctioned a host of Russian officials and agencies, will add 14 entities to the Entity List and will increase restrictions on exports of military-related goods to Russia in response to the poisoning and imprisonment of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. The increased export controls will also remove certain license exceptions for shipments to Russia and will impose stricter license review policies for certain sensitive goods, the State Department said March 2.