Insights on Export Controls & Economic Sanctions

Join ArentFox Schiff Counsel Sylvia Costelloe for a panel discussion hosted by the Women In International Trade Orange County (WITOC).

International Trade & Investment Counsel Sylvia Costelloe will lead a workshop titled “Connected-Vehicle AI & Data Compliance Lab” on March 9, 2026.

International Trade & Investment Partner Chris Skinner will speak on the “Routed Exports” panel at the Annual ICPA Conference on March 2, 2026.

On February 11, the US Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) announced a settlement agreement and $252 million civil penalty against California-based Applied Materials Inc. and its subsidiary Applied Materials Korea, Ltd.

Welcome to the February 2026 issue of “As the (Customs and Trade) World Turns,” our monthly newsletter where we compile essential updates from the customs and trade world over the past month. We bring you the most recent and significant insights in an accessible format, concluding with our main takeaways — aka “And the Fox Says…” — on what you need to know.

ArentFox Schiff is pleased to announce that five practice areas and 12 attorneys were recognized by Chambers Global 2026, including in the guide’s newly minted Global Market Leaders category.

On January 29, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took its first steps to loosen the sanctions against Venezuela following the capture and removal of Nicolás Maduro at the beginning of January.

In a January 20 interim final rule, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) eased restrictions on the export, reexport, and transfer (in-country) of certain types of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to lower risk destinations.

Welcome to the January 2026 issue of “As the (Customs and Trade) World Turns,” our monthly newsletter where we compile essential updates from the customs and trade world over the past month. We bring you the most recent and significant insights in an accessible format, concluding with our main takeaways — aka “And the Fox Says…” — on what you need to know.

On January 15, the US Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) published a final rule revising its license review policy for exports of Nvidia H200 chips and its equivalents to China and Macau.

Last year saw a number of significant developments in US export controls and sanctions.

On January 2, President Trump issued an Executive Order (EO) under Section 721 of the Defense Production Act of 1950 requiring HieFo Corporation to divest the digital chips business of EMCORE Corporation, which it acquired in April 2024, due to national security concerns.

Welcome to the December 2025 issue of “As the (Customs and Trade) World Turns,” our monthly newsletter where we compile essential updates from the customs and trade world over the past month. We bring you the most recent and significant insights in an accessible format, concluding with our main takeaways — aka “And the Fox Says…” — on what you need to know.

ArentFox Schiff is pleased to announce that Partner Kay C. Georgi has been named “Lawyer of the Year” in Trade & Customs in the 2025 Lexology Index Awards.

Welcome to the November 2025 issue of “As the (Customs and Trade) World Turns,” our monthly newsletter where we compile essential updates from the customs and trade world over the past month. We bring you the most recent and significant insights in an accessible format, concluding with our main takeaways — aka “And the Fox Says…” — on what you need to know.

It’s hard not to experience whiplash with export controls recently. A little over a month ago, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) announced the new Affiliates Rule, which took effect immediately on September 29.

International Trade & Investment Partner Megan Barnhill will speak at a CLE program presented by the Virginia State Bar on October 29, 2025.

Welcome to the October 2025 issue of “As the (Customs and Trade) World Turns,” our monthly newsletter where we compile essential updates from the customs and trade world over the past month. We bring you the most recent and significant insights in an accessible format, concluding with our main takeaways — aka “And the Fox Says…” — on what you need to know.

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) updated its Entity List FAQs, providing some additional guidance about the “Affiliates Rule” that came into effect on September 29.

On September 29, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) issued an interim final rule that significantly expands end user controls under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by extending restrictions to foreign entities owned, directly or indirectly, 50% or more by one or more parties on specified lists of proscribed companies, including the Entity List.

Welcome to the September 2025 issue of “As the (Customs and Trade) World Turns,” our monthly newsletter where we compile essential updates from the customs and trade world over the past month. We bring you the most recent and significant insights in an accessible format, concluding with our main takeaways — aka “And the Fox Says…” — on what you need to know.

The affected facilities, which are owned by companies based in South Korea and Taiwan, will have to contend with licensing requirements in order to receive exports, re-exports, and transfers of controlled items from their parent companies and suppliers.

After a three month wait, the US Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has finally caught up with the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in relaxing restrictions on trade with Syria, but this time in the export control world.

Welcome to the August 2025 issue of “As the (Customs and Trade) World Turns,” our monthly newsletter where we compile essential updates from the customs and trade world over the past month. We bring you the most recent and significant insights in an accessible format, concluding with our main takeaways — aka “And the Fox Says…” — on what you need to know.

The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) is back in the spotlight.