Client Alerts
On December 9, 2021, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) and Department of State’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) implemented new export control restrictions on Cambodia. These actions come approximately one month after the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated two Cambodian military […]
By: Kristine O. Little On August 4, 2021, the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) opened an expedited inquiry into ocean carrier surcharges. Eight ocean carriers (CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, HMM, Matson, MSC, OOCL, SM Line, and Zim) have been asked to provide the FMC’s Bureau of Enforcement (BOE) with details about congestion or related surcharges that they have […]
Client Alert
GKG Law’s litigation team recently prevailed on behalf of an ocean shipper in a complaint filed with the Federal Maritime Commission (Commission). The Commission affirmed the initial decision of the administrative law judge finding that the defendant, acting as a non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC), had violated the Shipping Act of 1984. Litigation began in […]
BIS Adds Antiboycott Interpretation Reflecting United Arab Emirates’ Termination of Israel Boycott On June 9, 2021, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) published a final rule adding an Interpretation to the anti-boycott regulations in 15 C.F.R. Part 760 of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). See 48 Fed Reg 30,535 (June […]
Client Alert
On March 25, 2021, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated two Burmese military holding companies, Myanma Economic Holdings Public Company Limited (MEHL) and Myanmar Economic Corporation Limited (MEC). As a result of these actions: U.S. companies are prohibited from engaging in any unlicensed business with MEHL, MEC, or […]
Client Alert
On March 2, 2021, the U.S. Department of State announced new Russia-related sanctions and Entity List additions pursuant to the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) and Chemical and Biological Weapons Act (CBW Act) following a determination that the Russian Government used a chemical weapon against its own nationals. As relevant to forwarders, some of these […]
Client Alert
The massive stimulus package approved by Congress late yesterday includes long awaited relief for many 501(c)(6) organizations. The package makes 501(c)(6) organizations eligible for loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) if they meet the following requirements: The organization does not receive more than 15% of receipts from lobbying; The lobbying activities do not comprise […]
Client Alert
On December 14, 2020, the U.S. Department of State imposed broad sanctions on Turkey’s Presidency of Defense Industries (also known as SSB) pursuant to Sections 231 and 235 of the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), including a prohibition on U.S. government agencies from providing U.S. export licenses and authorizations for transfers of goods and technology […]
Client Alert
On November 19, 2020, the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued a supplemental order expanding the scope of Fact-Finding Investigation No. 29 (FF No. 29). As you may recall, the FMC opened FF No. 29 earlier this year in response to the disruptive effects COVID-19 has had on trade and for the purpose of identifying solutions for some […]
Client Alert
GKG Law Principal Ed Greenberg and Associate Kristine Little submitted the below comments to the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) on behalf of the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA) in response to the agency’s Notice of Inquiry (NOI) that was looking into the propriety of steamship line billing practices. In a growing number of instances, […]