Local Experts Help Keep Exporters out of Trouble

Investigations and prosecutions of export violations are on the rise and penalties have increased by almost 2,500% over the last 5 years - with fines often in the millions of dollars and imprisonment in criminal cases. Companies entering export markets can significantly increase their sales and bottom line but must do so in compliance with U.S. export control regulations. As part of their mission to help promote U.S. exports, the U.S. Commercial Service, in cooperation with the Florida District Export Council and OCR Services, presents the “Export Compliance Bootcamp” featuring consulting firm Compliance Assurance LLC, the law firm of Becker & Poliakoff, P.A., and experts from Government, industry and transportation. These trade compliance experts will provide critical information to individuals engaging in export activities and keep them from getting in trouble with federal authorities.

Consider the $180,000 civil penalty levied against a Clearwater, FL company that exported laser resonator modules and components to China, India, Belarus and Russia without the required export licenses. Or worse, the case of a Jacksonville, FL that agreed to pay a civil penalty of $1,102,200 to settle charges that it violated the export regulations. The charges were related to unlicensed exports of crime control equipment to foreign consignees in 41 countries including Egypt, Mexico and France. Jim Anzalone, President of Compliance Assurance LLC, believes that “now is the time for companies to promote export compliance training. President Obama’s goal of doubling exports in the next five years means more companies will be pursuing lucrative export markets and no one can afford the potential risks that come with the territory”.

Anzalone said there is a common misconception that export controls apply only to companies exporting high tech or licensable commodities. He says this is simply not the case. Most non-military commodities fall under the scope of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and U.S. export controls affect the entire export community as controls apply to sanctioned countries, certain individuals and entities, and particular situations, not to mention the Foreign Trade Regulations (FTR) that affect exports of all commodities.

It is no secret that export enforcement and penalties have increased significantly in recent years. However, that is not the main reason that most people work hard to ensure their compliance with U.S. laws and regulations. Says Jim Anzalone, “our laws exist to ensure national security and advance foreign policy objectives and it is our collective desire to protect the U.S., its allies, and to do the right thing”.

Compliance Assurance LLC is a private consultancy firm specializing in global trade compliance solutions. The firm’s primary mission is to assure companies’ compliance with the federal regulations governing import and export trade activities. For more information on the ITAR and U.S. export and import laws and regulations, contact Jim Anzalone at (561) 641-5036 or via email at Jim@WeAreCompliant.com.