The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls has posted the minutes from its November 9, 2011 Defense Trade Advisory Group Plenary meeting. Among other things, DTAG officials and the trade discussed three trade working group reports on the transfer of items from the U.S. Munitions List (USML) to the CCL, the definition of public domain, and the single license form. All three reports and associated recommendations were approved for submission to the DDTC.
On January 5, 2012, the Office of Foreign Assets Control added Al-Qa'ida Kurdish Battalions (a.k.a. Kurdistan Battalion of Islamic State in Iraq; a.k.a. Kurdistan Brigade of Al-Qaeda in Iraq; a.k.a. Kurdistan Brigades; a.k.a. "AQKB"), Iran; Iraq [SDGT] to its "Specially Designated Nationals" list. SDNs are (i) individuals and companies owned or controlled by, or acting for or on behalf of, targeted countries or (ii) individuals, groups, and entities, such as terrorists and narcotics traffickers designated under programs that are not country-specific. The assets of listed SDNs are blocked and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from dealing with them.
Export.gov has announced the following series of trade missions that are scheduled for January through April 2012:
The President has issued a memorandum for the Secretary of State containing his determination on the eligibility of South Sudan to receive defense articles and defense services under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Arms Export Control Act, as amended. The President finds that the furnishing of defense articles and defense services to the Republic of South Sudan will strengthen the security of the U.S. and promote world peace.
On January 5, 2012, the State Department sent the Office of Management and Budget a final rule to amend the International Traffic in Arms Regulations to add an exemption for the temporary export of chemical agent protective gear for exclusive personal use to destinations not subject to restrictions under ITAR Section 126.1 and to Afghanistan and Iraq under specified conditions.
The State Department has submitted three proposed rules to the Office of Management and Budget to amend the International Traffic in Arms Regulations for U.S. Munitions List (USML) Categories I (Firearms), II (Artillery Projectors) and III (Ammunition). (Submitted 12/05/11)
The Bureau of Industry and Security has issued a final rule, effective January 9, 2012, which imposes a license requirement on exports and reexports to all destinations other than Canada of two types of microwave and millimeter wave electronic components. The two components are packaged high electron mobility transistors (HEMT) and packaged microwave “monolithic integrated circuits” (MMIC) power amplifiers.
Export.gov has announced that registration is available for a number of upcoming export-based webinars to be held in 2012. General topics such as letters of credit, export documentation, and choosing a freight forwarder will be covered, as well as target products for select export markets such as solar energy for Brazil, efficient energy products for the European Union and Saudi Arabia, infrastructure in India, and reconstruction opportunities in Haiti.
The State Department has published a list of 42 Notifications of Proposed Commercial Export Licenses, which it has forwarded to the Congress pursuant to sections 36(c) and 36(d) and in compliance with section 36(f) of the Arms Export Control Act (22 USC 2776). The list includes certifications and amendments of proposed manufacturing license agreements and technical assistance agreements for the transfer and/or export of defense articles (including technical data) and defense services, to the following countries for the listed purposes:
The Census Bureau has issued a January 3 AES Broadcast to remind exporters to ensure the "Estimated Date of Export" is reported with the correct year. To avoid the Automated Export System (AES) generating the Compliance Alert - Shipment Reported Late, the year 2012 must be reported for current AES shipments. For further information or questions, contact the U.S. Census Bureau's AES Branch (800) 549-0595, select option 1 for AES or email: askaes@census.gov. Copies of AES broadcast available by emailing documents@brokerpower.com. (AES broadcast #2012001)