Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS)

  • Export Violations
    • On August 18, BIS announced a Settlement Agreement with Cryofab, Inc. of New Jersey. On two different occasions in 2012, the company engaged in conduct prohibited by the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Cryofab exported gas storage containers and related tools and accessories from the U.S. to an Indian entity, the Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC), listed on the Entity List. The company was assessed a penalty of $35,000 and agreed to an external audit of its export controls compliance program covering the 12-month period beginning on the date of the order.
  • Alleged Antiboycott Violations
    • On August 22, BIS announced a Settlement Agreement with Carrier Saudi Services Company Ltd. (CSSC), a controlled-in-fact affiliate of Carrier Corporation, a U.S. firm for four alleged violations of Part 760 of the EAR, Restrictive Trade Practices or Boycotts. The company was charged with two violations of “Refusal to Do Business” and two violations of “Failing to Report the Receipt of a Request to Engage in a Restrictive Trade Practice or Foreign Boycott Against a Country Friendly to the United States”. All four violations came as a result contracts from 2012. CSSC agreed to pay a $12,000 civil penalty.
    • On August 22, BIS announced a Settlement Agreement with CH Robinson Freight Services, Ltd. (CHR) for 17 alleged violations of Part 760 of the EAR. The company was charged with ten violations of “Furnishing Information about Business Relationships with Boycotted Countries or Blacklisted Persons” and seven “Failing to Report the Receipt of a Request to Engage in a Restrictive Trade Practice or Foreign Boycott Against a Country Friendly to the United States”. All 17 violations occurred between 2012 and 2015 and were transactions involving the sale and/or transfer of goods or services (including information) from the U.S. to the UAE. CHR agreed to pay a $12,000 civil penalty.

Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)

    • On August 10, OFAC announced IPSA International Services, Inc. agreed to pay $259,000 to settle its potential civil liability for 72 apparent violations of the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations (ITSR).
      • IPSA, on 44 occasions, imported Iranian-origin services into the U.S. and on 28 occasions, IPSA engaged in transactions or dealings related to Iranian-origin services by approving and facilitating its foreign subsidiaries’ payments to providers of Iranian-origin services.
      • The company did not voluntarily disclose the apparent violations and OFAC determined it to be a non-egregious case. OFAC found at least one of IPSA’s senior management knew, or had reason to know, it was dealing in transactions related to Iran; however, the fine was mitigated by, among other things, the company undertaking remedial measures and submitting an investigation report to OFAC without an administrative subpoena. It answered additional questions promptly, and entered into a statute of limitations tolling agreement.
    • On August 17, OFAC announced Blue Sky Blue Sea, Inc., doing business as American Export Lines and International Shipping Company (USA), agreed to pay $518,063 to settle potential civil liability for 140 apparent violations of the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations (ITSR).
      • Between 2010 and 2012, the company appears to have transshipped used and junked cars and parts from the U.S. via Iran to Afghanistan on 140 occasions.
      • The company did not voluntarily disclose the apparent violations and OFAC determined it to be a non-egregious case. OFAC found the company’s President and co-owner knew and approved of the transshipments via Iran; however, the fine was mitigated by, among other things, taking remedial steps before OFAC’s investigation began. It also cooperated, to include agreeing to toll the statute of limitations for 804 days.
    • On August 24, OFAC announced COSL Singapore Ltd., an oilfield services company located in Singapore and a subsidiary of China Oilfield Service Limited, agreed to pay $415,350 to settle its potential civil liability for 55 apparent violations of the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations (ITSR).
      • Between 2011 and 2013, the company, through two subsidiaries, exported or attempted to export 55 orders of oil rig supplies from the U.S. to Singapore and the UAE, then re-exported or attempted to re-export these supplies to four oil rigs in Iranian territorial waters.
      • The company did not voluntarily disclose the apparent violations and OFAC determined it to be a non-egregious case. COSL Singapore’s fine was mitigated by, among other things, the institution of an OFAC sanctions compliance program and its display of substantial cooperation, to include entering a tolling agreement with OFAC.

For more information, contact: Jeff Snyder, Edward Goetz