OFAC Amends Burmese Sanctions Regulations for Animal/Specimen Scientific Imports
The Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued a final rule, effective June 22, 2007, which amends the Burmese Sanctions Regulations at 31 CFR Part 537 to add a new section 537.527 which provides that specific licenses may be issued on a case-by-case basis authorizing the importation into the U.S. of animals and specimens of Burmese origin, in sample quantities only, for bona fide scientific research and analysis purposes.
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(The Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003 (BFDA) requires the President to ban the importation into the U.S. of any article that is a product of Burma, among other things; however, the BFDA also permits the President to waive the importation prohibition for certain goods. Executive Order 13310 implements the BFDA importation ban, and delegates the President's waiver authority to the Secretary of State.
See ITT's Online Archives or 07/29/03 news, 03072905, for BP summary of the BFDA. See ITT's Online Archives or 07/30/03 and 08/29/03 news, 03073010 and 03082910, for BP summaries of EO 13310.)
State Dept Determines Import of Certain Burmese Animals, Etc. is in U.S. Interest
The Department of State has determined that it is in the national interest of the U.S. to waive the importation prohibition of the BFDA for animals and specimens of Burmese origin, in sample quantities only, that are imported for bona fide scientific research and analysis purposes.
Based on this determination, OFAC is adding a new 31 CFR 537.527 to set forth a statement of licensing policy. 31 CFR 537.527 provides that specific licenses may be issued on a case-by-case basis authorizing the importation into the U.S. of animals and specimens of Burmese origin, in sample quantities only, for bona fide scientific research and analysis purposes.
| Compliance Outreach & Implementation | (202) 622-2490 |
| Assistant Director for Licensing | (202) 622-2480 |
| Assistant Director for Policy | (202) 622-4855 |
| Chief Counsel | (202) 622-2410 |
OFAC Notice (FR Pub 06/22/07) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-12148.pdf