The Export Control & Sanctions Watch Edition 23
- Madni Laghari
- Jun 26, 2025
- 8 min read
Unicat Fined for Iran Exports | OFAC Hits Houthi, Iran Networks | EU Targets Syria, Sudan, China Procurement Access
Edition 23-2025 - Week 26-2025
Period Covered: 20 June 2025 - 26 June 2025
Published: 27 June 2025
Colleagues,
Welcome to the 23nd edition of The Export Control & Sanctions Watch! We are making changes to take account of your feedback. For we are testing no downloads, no pdf., everything in one message.
Table of Contents
If You Do one Thing this Week, Do This.
How To Book A Free Expert Call
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U.S. Training Announcements
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Top Story
Terrorist Financing: Red Flags Rising
Teaser: Heightened terror threats demand sharper compliance. Know the red flags and strengthen your defences—before you're part of the problem.
Headlines
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) & Financial Crime
UK Issues New Sanctions Guidance for Art Market and High-Value Dealers Ahead of 14 May 2025 Reporting Requirements OFSI outlines due diligence expectations and red flags for firms dealing in cash or high-value art transactions of €10,000 or more to enhance compliance with sanctions obligations.
MONEYVAL Upgrades Cyprus FATF Rating on Correspondent Banking in Follow-Up AML/CFT Evaluation
Cyprus now rated “largely compliant” on FATF Recommendation 13, with strengthened AML/CFT framework and improved technical compliance across 38 of 40 standards.
Export Controls
Unicat Catalyst Technologies fined and penalised under BIS, OFAC, and DOJ settlement for $391K worth of unlawful catalyst exports to Iran via UAE intermediaries (2017–2020); export privileges suspended with probation, OFAC/DOJ oversight included.
OFAC designates one individual, eight entities, and a vessel for procuring sensitive dual-use machinery for Iran’s defense sector, including cargo concealment efforts involving Hong Kong, China, Singapore, and Türkiye.
OFAC sanctions Houthi-linked oil trading and shipping networks, and entities procuring sensitive machinery for Iran’s defense industry
U.S. Sanctions Illicit Traders & Shipping Facilitators Sustaining the Houthis
This reflects the core action—targeting individuals, front entities, and vessels accused of supporting the Iran-aligned Houthi movement in Yemen
EU CONOP subgroup to meet on 8 July 2025 to review WMD proliferation threats, chemical weapons sanctions, and dual-use export control policy.
Sanctions
European Union
EU renews sanctions on Sudan under Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/1233, maintaining restrictive measures against individuals and entities obstructing peace or committing human rights violations.
Joint Statement following the EU and Canada sign historic Security & Defence Partnership, enabling joint arms procurement via the EU’s €150 bn SAFE fund and deepening cooperation on cybersecurity, maritime, crisis management, space, AI, digital trade, and Ukraine aid
EU amends its Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime (Regulation 2020/1998) via Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1256, adding five individuals – including senior Syrian military actors and financiers linked to the Assad regime’s human rights abuses – to the restrictive measures list.
EU and Canada sign a landmark Security & Defence Partnership at the 20th Summit in Brussels, the first such pact with an American country, enabling joint arms procurement via the EU’s SAFE fund and covering cooperation on cyber, maritime, crisis management, space, AI, digital trade, and Ukraine support.
EU Council and Parliament reach provisional agreement to enhance transparency and counter foreign interference in political party and foundation funding.
European Commission restricts Chinese firms from EU medical device tenders over €5M under IPI rules, citing discriminatory barriers and unfair treatment of EU suppliers in China.
European Commission clarifies port access bans, maritime service prohibitions, and compliance guidance for ships engaged in Russian oil transport
Russian national Olga Belyavtseva challenges EU sanctions at the CJEU (Case T-176/25), seeking annulment of her inclusion in restrictive measures tied to Russia’s destabilising activities, citing violations of judicial protection, proportionality, and legal basis under EU law.
80th UNGA Priorities: EU adopts conclusions reaffirming support for multilateralism, UN reform, peace architecture, human rights, and the 2030 Agenda amidst global security and environmental crises.
Russian warship used false transponder identity while transiting English Channel, raising maritime security and sanctions evasion concerns
United Kingdom
United States
OFAC Issued Venezuela General License 5S allowing certain transactions related to PDVSA 2020 8.5% bonds effective post-December 20, 2025
OFAC fines Silicon Valley VC firm GVA Capital nearly $216 million for sanction violations
OFAC imposed a $215.99 million penalty on San Francisco‑based GVA Capital Ltd. for managing investments on behalf of Russian oligarch Suleiman Kerimov after his 2018 designation—plus for failing to comply with an OFAC subpoena—highlighting serious breaches of Ukraine/Russia‑related sanctions and reporting obligations
OFAC designates Giovanni Mosquera Serrano under counterterrorism and transnational crime authorities for ties to Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang.
U.S. Treasury sanctions Hebei Xinhai Chemical Group and three Chinese port operators—another “teapot” refinery and terminal—in connection with purchasing Iranian oil, marking the third such designation under the “maximum pressure” Iran policy
U.N.
G7 leaders at Kananaskis issue joint statements on AI, critical minerals, smuggling, repression, Iran-Israel developments, quantum tech, and wildfire response, reinforcing sanctions coordination.
Insights
Russia's Sanctions Evasion Surge
Despite sanctions, Russia is still buying Western tech—fueling its war machine. Here’s how evasion is happening and what you must do to stop it.
Export Control & Sanctions Video of the Week
Master U.S. Sanctions Like a Pro – In Just 3 Minutes
Sanctions are more than headlines — they’re critical rules that shape global trade. Whether you're in compliance, legal, risk, or operations, this short video breaks down how EU sanctions on Russia actually work, what they target, and why they matter.
✅ Understand key measures
✅ Know who’s affected
✅ Stay aligned with your risk strategy
📈 Perfect for business pros, trade advisors, and anyone navigating global operations.
ates & Deadlines
Events & Conferences
June 23, 2025 – ACI Webinar: Navigating US/EU/UK sanctions frameworks – free online session.
June 24, 2025 – Sanctions Practitioners Forum, Brussels (WorldECR/Dow Jones): Practical sessions on sanctions circumvention and compliance.
June 24, 2025 – UK Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee: Sanctions scrutiny session on Russia and Iran.
June 26, 2025 – EU RELEX Working Party on Sanctions, Brussels: Expected to discuss 18th sanctions package and G7 coordination.
June 26, 2025 – ACSS Webinar: “New Financial World Order – Rise of Sanctions Evasion” – online briefing for sanctions professionals.
Deadlines & Compliance Dates
June 20, 2025 – US BIS implementation deadline for export controls on AI and semiconductors (Huawei and other Chinese ICs).
July 1, 2025 – US CBP: Section 301 tariff exclusions must be properly applied on all new entries.
What's Hot At Customs Manager Ltd (Export Controls & Sanctions) ?
EU Sanctions Against Russia (and Belarus) - TRAINING
Wed, Jul 30 | Virtual Online Training
Unlock expertise in EU sanctions against Russia and Belarus with our online training course. Master the fundamentals, compliance steps, and critical terms to stay updated on the latest regulatory changes. Perfect for customs managers, import/export pros.
If You Do one Thing this Week, Do This
Screen Your Entire Supply Chain Against Sanctioned Parties
Sanctions enforcement is tightening—and ignorance is no longer a defense. This week, make sure your business isn’t just screening end customers, but also your upstream suppliers, logistics partners, and financial intermediaries. With OFAC and the EU expanding secondary sanctions and ramping up penalties for indirect violations, failing to vet your third parties could mean frozen payments, blocked shipments, and reputational damage.
⚠️ Especially critical if you deal with dual-use goods, Russian-linked entities, or operate through complex ownership structures.
Take 30 minutes to:
Re-run due diligence checks on all counterparties.
Review new listings from OFAC, UK OFSI, and the EU consolidated lists.
Ensure your screening software is updated in real time.
🌍 One sanctioned entity in your chain can sink your global operations.
📥 Not sure where to start? Use the EU’s Sanctions Map or the U.S. Consolidated Screening List for instant checks.
Stay Ahead of Regulatory Changes, Stay Fully Compliant, and Protect Your Business
In the fast-moving world of international trade, staying compliant with export control and sanctions regulations across multiple jurisdictions is a challenge. That’s why The Export Control & Sanctions Watch provides the clarity, expertise, and up-to-date knowledge you need to navigate this complex landscape effortlessly.
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Extensive Export Control Coverage
If you are exporting to the EU, US, or UK and handle strategic items, dual-use goods, or military items subject to export controls, staying fully up-to-date with US, EU, and UK export control laws and regulations is crucial. We provide export control updates for the EU, UK, and US, covering key regulations such as the EU Dual-Use Regulations, the UK Export Control Order 2008, the US Export Administration Regulations (EAR), and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All in one magazine - the only update you need to read.
Comprehensive Sanctions Coverage
We provide detailed updates across a wide range of sanctions topics and jurisdictions, including:
EU, UK, and US Policy & Laws
We provide updates on sanction laws, policy changes, and guidelines for the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Whether the EU is revising its unofficial sanctions guidance or the U.S. is updating EAR or USML lists, we ensure you are kept informed. We also include a link to the original update from the authorities and add an explanatory note to help you grasp the vital context.
Specific Sanctions Topics covered
We offer updates on the newest sanctions imposed by the EU, UK, and U.S. related to specific issues like human rights violations, chemical weapons, anti-corruption, counter-terrorism, drug trafficking, and cyberattacks. These sanctions are organised by "topic" and can affect individuals and entities, including businesses. You will be informed about the reasons for the sanctions and the targets involved. This is an ideal supplement to any sanctions' software you may use. You will also receive official links to the measures, enabling you to quickly access official details and saving yourself the effort of researching them yourself.
Extensive coverage of all sanctioned States.
If you are trading or potentially at risk of trading with sanctioned states, the Export Control & Sanctions Watch is an excellent supplement to any sanctions screening software you use. Reading the Export Control & Sanctions Watch provides crucial background and a thorough overview of changes to sanctions, complete with live hyperlinks and explanatory notes, so you understand who was sanctioned and why. Stay updated on the latest sanctions imposed by the EU, UK, and US affecting Russia, North Korea, Iran, Central African Republic, Myanmar, Syria, Sudan, and many others. For each, we also include a sanctions guide covering the sanctions imposed against a country by the EU, UK, and US.
What else we cover in "The Export Control & Sanctions Watch"
We also provide essential updates on the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) and its implications, along with comprehensive coverage of AML & Financial Crime regulations, CSDD (Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence) updates, and various Due Diligence matters. This ensures professionals stay informed on the latest developments in anti-money laundering, financial crime prevention, due diligence practices, and forced labor legislation, providing you with the knowledge needed to navigate and comply with evolving regulatory requirements.
Access to Export Control & Sanctions Resource Hubs
Our Resource Hubs offer a wealth of insights, including thought leadership articles, how-to guides, step-by-step guides, FAQs, and more, all tailored to enhance your understanding of export controls and sanctions. This comprehensive content library is available 24/7, providing you with the expertise you need at any time. It's like having an export control professional on speed dial, offering a knowledge hub that answers all your questions and supports you in staying fully compliant with the latest regulatory changes.
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