July - 2019

OFAC amends Venezuelan General License authorizing transactions with PdVSA

On 26 July 2019 the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) published an amended General License relating to Venezuela. General License 8B, “Authorizing Transactions Involving Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA) Necessary for Maintenance of Operations for Certain Entities in Venezuela” replaces General License 8A. General License 8B is effective 26 July 2019 and expires on 25 October 2019.

OFAC amends sanction regulations and issues an advisory for the civilian aviation industry about Ira

On 22 July 2019 the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) amended the Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations (GTSR), the Transnational Criminal Organizations Sanctions Regulations (TCOSR) and Hizballah Financial Sanctions Regulations (HFSR) (31 CFR parts 566, 590 and 594). This regulatory amendment is effect from 23 July 2019. Additionally, on 23 July 2019 OFAC issued an advisory entitled “Iran-Related Civil Aviation Industry Advisory”, warni

German customs announces new handbook on export licenses, authorization codes and electronic depreci

On 17 July 2019 German customs (Generalzolldirektion, "Zoll") announced that it has re-published its "Handbook for export licenses, authorization codes, electronic depreciation" ("Handbuch Ausfuhrgenehmigungen, Genehmigungscodierungen, elektronische Abschreibung"). This manual replaces the previous leaflet on authorization codes, electronic registration, and the depreciation of exports subject to licensing in ATLAS Export.

UK stops export of certain military items to Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain and Egypt

On 17 July 2019 the United Kingdom’s Department for International Trade: Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) issued a notice to exporters (2019/11) alerting them of six new open general export licences (OGELs). This notice came following the Court of Appeal Judgment of Campaign Against Arms Trade’s appeal, which stipulates that the ECJU will not grant any new licenses for certain military exports to Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain or Egypt that could be used

BAFA updates instructions on trade with Russia

On 10 July 2019 Germany’s Bundesamt für Wirtschaft und Ausfuhrkontrolle (BAFA) released an updated instruction manual entitled ‘"Foreign Trade with the Russian Federation" (“Außenwirtschaftsverkehr mit der Russischen Föderation”). These instructions (in German) provide an overview of the trade restrictions and financial sanctions imposed by the EU against Russia that are recognized and enforced by BAFA.

Canada makes electronic export reporting mandatory and sets up a new reporting system

On 8 July 2019 the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced (in Customs Notice 19-14) that it is going to make electronic export declarations mandatory from 30 June 2020 and end the option of paper reporting with Export Declaration form B13A. Also on 30 June 2020, the current Canadian Automated Export Declaration system (CAED) is scheduled to expire. Exporters who are using the CAED will be contacted by the CBSA between February and June 2020 on the access modalities fo

Jersey lodges new sanctions and asset-freezing law

The Government of Jersey's Minister for External Relations has issued a new order which brings the Sanctions and Asset-Freezing (Jersey) Law 2019 into effect on 19 July 2019. This law retains Jersey's ability to impose EU sanctions, while also allowing Jersey to impose UK sanctions, from the UK's Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018, after Brexit. For more information on sanctions in Jersey, please refer to the Government of Jersey's sanctions FAQ page. PST.AG has rep

INSTEX now operational

On 28 June 2019 the EU Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges (INSTEX) was announced to be operational and processing its first transactions. This announcement was made in Vienna at the end of the Joint Commission that oversees the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the Iran nuclear agreement. INSTEX is available to all EU Member States. For further information please read the EU's press release and the Chair's statement.

UK updates Strategic Export Control Lists

The United Kingdom’s Department for International Trade: Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) has updated its Strategic Export Control Lists. These lists have been updated following amendments to the Export Control Order 2008 and came into force on 30 June 2019. For further information please see the “consolidated list of strategic military and dual-use items that require export authorisation” issued by the ECJU. The data reflecting these changes (PST.AG list UKMUN) are available

EU-Vietnam trade agreement signed

On 30 June 2019 the European Commission (EC) and the Government of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam signed the Free Trade Agreement and the Investment Protection Agreement. These agreements remove 99% of the tariffs between the EU and Vietnam, reduce non-tariff barriers and protect “geographical indications”. The agreements will now be given to the National Assembly in Vietnam and the European Parliament for ratification. Please read the press release published by the EC fo