Email Allowed to Certain Sanctioned Countries

Earlier this month, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) amended the regulations to provide general licenses to allow the exportation of certain internet-based communications to Cuba, Iran and Sudan. The communications include instant messaging, chat, email and social networking of a personal nature. Even though the Export Administration Regulations indicate that transmitting information outside of the U.S. using electronic means is considered an export, recent opinions indicate that free download of mass market software that can be accessed freely by anyone would not violate the EAR.

The amendments also permit the exportation of related software to Iran and Sudan. The new general licenses allow U.S. persons to “export” services and software related to personal communications via the internet to these countries. The new provisions are designed to encourage communications; however, OFAC will continue to enforce the other sanctions with these countries. The new provisions affect 31 CFR 515, 538 and 560. Click HERE to view the Federal Register information.

Trade Terms Tuesday

Welcome to Trade Terms Tuesday! Each Tuesday, we will share three trade-related terms. In order to reach out to our diverse readership, we will try to provide one for exports, one for imports and one for logistics/transportation. This week, we continue with the O’s.

Over, Short, and Damaged (OSD)
OSD is the term used for a report that lists discrepancies between the bill of lading and the actual merchandise received. Receiving “more” of a product than listed on the lading is an overage. If goods are “missing,” then the shipment is short.

Other Government Agencies (OGA)
OGA is an acronym used to indicate the involvement of agencies other than CBP without specifying those agencies. Examples of other government agencies include the FDA, USDA, FWS, CPSC, DOT, FCC and more.

Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)
As part of the Department of Treasury, OFAC regulates trade and financial transactions with embargoed countries. OFAC administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions against targeted foreign countries, terrorism sponsoring organizations, international narcotics traffickers and other threats to national security.