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Period covered 6.12. - 12.12.2023
Content
Due Diligence & AML
U.S. Export Controls
EU Export Controls
UK Export Controls
Sanctions Updates
EU Sanctions
UK Sanctions
U.S. Sanctions
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Due Diligence & AML
For all updates, see: https://www.customsmanager.info/all-news/categories/due-diligence
24th EU-China Summit
The 24th EU-China Summit took place in Beijing on 7 December 2023, following intensified bilateral contacts and dialogues. The EU and China agreed to make trade and economic relations more balanced, reciprocal, and mutually beneficial. The EU stressed the importance of a well-functioning, rules-based international order, with the United Nations at its core. The leaders discussed Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, the EU's responsibility in upholding the UN Charter's core principles, and the need for progress in addressing core EU interests. The EU and China share an interest in an effective multilateral rules-based trading system, ensuring a transparent and competitive environment for the digital economy. The leaders also discussed debt sustainability, food security, health and pandemic preparedness, biodiversity, water, ocean governance, plastic pollution, and deforestation. The EU reiterated its deep concerns about the human rights situation in China, notably systemic human rights violations in Xinjiang and Tibet, forced labor, and the erosion of fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong. Details and Factsheet.
Export Controls Updates
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⇒ EU Export Controls
No update noted.
⇒ UK Export Controls
No update noted.
⇒ U.S Export Controls
New Easement in U.S. Export Controls
The US Bureau of Industry & Security has released 3 rules to ease several categories of export licensing requirements and expand the availability of export license exceptions for allied and partner countries, and for members of certain multilateral export control regimes. Find out more:
Breaking Down the Latest U.S. BIS EAR Entity List Updates
Understanding the Implications of the new U.S. BIS EAR Entity List Changes. Date of latest update 12.12.2023. The Bureau of Industry and Security is responsible for advancing US national security, foreign policy, and economic objectives by ensuring an effective export control and treaty compliance system.
Sanctions Updates
The EU, UK and US implement extensive sanctions laws. These rules provide processes for producing lists of individuals and businesses subject to asset freeze targets and financial and investment restrictions. Businesses must stay up to date with the latest sanctions rules to avoid accidental non-compliance. Read the collection of all articles we have written on this topic here https://www.customsmanager.info/all-news/categories/sanctions
G7 ban on diamonds in Russia
The G7 nations have reaffirmed in a statement that they would impose import limitations by January 1, 2024, on non-industrial diamonds that are mined, processed, or manufactured in Russia. By March 1, 2024, further phased restrictions will be in place on the import of Russian diamonds that have been treated in other countries. By September 1, 2024, the G7's largest raw diamond importers will set up a traceability-based verification and certification system for rough diamonds inside the group, thereby enhancing the efficacy of these measures. Link
⇒ EU Sanctions Updates
Congo (Democratic Republic of the)
Council renews EU restrictive measures for one year (last updates 12.12.2023)
The Council today renewed its restrictive measures in view of the gravity of the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for an additional year, until 12 December 2024.
24 individuals are currently subject to an asset freeze and travel ban to the EU, they are ... details
Mali
Council renews restrictive measures for a further year (last updates 12.12.2023)
The Council today renewed its restrictive measures in view of the situation in Mali for a further year, until 14 December 2024. One individual was also delisted.
The 5 individuals currently targeted are... details
Myanmar/Burma
Council adds 4 persons and 2 entities to EU sanctions list in eighth round of sanctions (last updates 12.12.2023)
The Council today approved additional restrictive measures against four persons and two entities, in view of the continuing grave situation in Myanmar/Burma.
The listings include ...details here
Iran
Council sanctions 6 persons and 5 entities under the framework for restrictive measures given Iran’s military support of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine (last updates 12.12.2023)
The Council today imposed restrictive measures against 6 persons and 5 entities involved in Iran's development and production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) used in Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. These are the first listings under the newly established framework for restrictive measures in view of Iran's military support of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. They complement the previous four rounds of listings on Iranian drones already adopted under other sanctions regimes. The new listings include t...Details and Links here
⇒ UK Sanctions Updates
Red alert issued by the UK NCA regarding Russia's export control evasion
A red alert regarding the export of high-risk goods has been issued by the UK's National Economic Crime Centre (NECC), a multi-agency unit within the National Crime Agency (NCA). The alert details financial sector sanctions red flags, such as suspicious transaction features, customers, and requested services/items.
The UK announced 46 sanctions, including asset freezes and travel bans, in 2 categories.
The first set targets 9 individuals and 5 entities for their involvement in trafficking people in Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, forcing them to work for online ‘scam farms’ which enable large-scale fraud. Victims are promised well-paid jobs but are subject to torture or other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. The UN estimates at least 120,000 people in Myanmar alone are being forced to work for such schemes. The FCDO has helped a small number of British nationals return to the UK who had become victims. Details and designation
Russian Cyber Operatives Sanctioned
The UK has designated Ruslan Aleksandrovich Peretyatko and Andrey Stanislavovich Korinets, members of Star Blizzard, which according to the UK Govt is a cyber-hacking group subordinate to Russia’s Intelligence Services, the FSB
The group allegedly attempted to target high-profile individuals and entities through cyber operations with the intent to use information obtained to “interfere in UK politics and democratic processes”.
Cyber operations and the Russian intelligence services
Russia is one of the world’s most prolific cyber actors and dedicate significant resource into conducting cyber operations around the globe. The UK government has publicly attributed malign cyber activity to parts of three Russian Intelligence services: the FSB, SVR and GRU, with each having their own remits.
UK designates Russian military suppliers in Russia & from third countries
The UK designated 46 individuals and entities based in Russia, Belarus, China, Serbia, Turkey the UAE, and Uzbekistan, which are allegedly supplying the Russian military with sanctioned goods and technology31 Russian individuals and entities linked to Russia’s military industrial complex, designing and manufacturing drones and missile parts . .
⇒ U.S. Sanctions Updates
Latest Updates
OFAC FTP Retirement Reminder
Reminder - OFAC will retire its public-facing file transfer protocol (FTP) server (ofacftp.treas.gov) on or about June 10, 2024. Details and links here.
Treasury Designates Perpetrators of Human Rights Abuse
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has sanctioned 20 individuals for their involvement in human rights abuse in nine countries, including Afghanistan, Russia, Indonesia, and the People's Republic of China. Here is the breakdown of who is designated:
...
Settlement Agreement between the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control and Nasdaq, Inc.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today announced a settlement with Nasdaq, Inc. For more information, please visit the following web notice.
United States and the United Kingdom Sanction Members of Russian State Intelligence-Sponsored Advanced Persistent Threat Group
OFAC designated two individuals associated with an advanced persistent threat (APT) group that is sponsored by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) and has targeted individuals and entities in the United States, United Kingdom, and other allied and partner countries.
Global Magnitsky-related Frequently Asked Question Updated
The Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is publishing one Global Magnitsky-related Frequently Asked Question (1145). Detail
OFAC designates Houthi financiers
13 people and organisations have been singled out by OFAC for allegedly receiving funds from the sale and transfer of Iranian goods to the Houthis in Yemen, including ...
OFAC names drug traffickers located in Mexico
15 Mexican nationals and two businesses with headquarters in Mexico have been identified by OFAC as being connected to the Beltrán Leyva Organisation (BLO), a drug trafficking group that is responsible for bringing fentanyl into the United States...
U.S. Department of State Announces Reward Offer for Information Leading to the Arrest and/or Conviction of Russian National Accused of Sanctions Evasion
On December 7, 2023, accomplices of a US wanted fugitive for violating sanctions are captured. Artem Uss was arrested in Milan in October 2022 after the US accused him of smuggling dual-use technology exports to Russia and hundreds of millions of barrels of Venezuelan oil into China and Russia. More detail...
Press Release 2: U.S. Department of State Announces Reward Offer for Information Leading to the Arrest and/or Conviction of Russian National Accused of Sanctions Evasion
A former North Macedonian deputy prime minister was charged with corruption by the United States.
Under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programmes Appropriations Act 2023, former Deputy Prime Minister of North Macedonia Kocho Angjushev is generally ineligible for entry into the United States on account of his alleged involvement in substantial corruption and use of his position to advance his private business interests. His children and spouse are also denied entry to the country.
Press release: Designation of North Macedonia Public Official Kocho Angjushev for Significant Corruption
What if I have a question regarding these updates
We invite you to use the chat function available on www.customsmanager.org to ask any questions related to this update. Our skilled team of export control and sanctions managers will be happy to provide you with the information you need within 24 hours.
Sources
EU
Official Journal of the EU
DG TRADE Website
Social Media (LinkedIn, Twitter, etc).
Information on the National Export Control & Sanctions Website of Member States
U.S.
Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS)
Department of Commerce
Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC)
Social Media (LinkedIn, Twitter, etc).
UK
Information on gov.uk
Information on legislation.gov.uk
Department of Business and Trade
Social Media (LinkedIn, Twitter, etc).
Other
United Nations (Sanctions)
Social Media (LinkedIn, Twitter, etc).
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