Trade Compliance Brief - Export Control and Sanctions Insights

How do 164 heavy trucks bound for Kazakhstan disappear into Russia? In this episode, we unpack the landmark Finnish sanctions evasion case involving Idän Liikenteenvälitys IL Oy and its CEO, Risto Riihimäki. Sentenced to nearly four years in prison, Riihimäki’s case serves as a stark warning to the logistics and transport sectors about the severe consequences of violating EU sanctions. We break do...

In this episode of the Trade Compliance Brief, we dive into the latest regulatory crackdown from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). On June 29, 2026, the SEC penalized Merrill Lynch $7.5 million for systemic failures in their Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) programs. Discover how a flawed, rigid threshold in an automated transaction monitoring syste...

In this episode of the Trade Compliance Brief , we break down the June 22, 2026, regulatory action by China’s Ministry of Finance (MOF) targeting 46 US companies. Moving beyond the headlines, we analyze the critical compliance nuances of this government procurement ban—specifically the strategic exemption for US-funded enterprises operating within China. We explore what this means for global suppl...

In this episode of the Trade Compliance Brief, we break down the historic enforcement action taken by the UK Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) against UK travel technology provider Sabre Global Technologies Limited (SGTL). Resulting in a record-setting civil monetary penalty of £1,000,920.59, this case marks a major turning point in UK sanctions enforcement strategy. We dive deep...

On June 16, 2026, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) announced a landmark $36,184,680 settlement agreement with Stuttgart-based Robert Bosch GmbH. The enforcement action stems from the unlicensed export of over $72.3 million worth of foreign-produced Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) sensor products and cell phone software to Huawei Technologies Co. and its af...

Welcome to the latest edition of our trade compliance podcast. In this episode, we unpack the unprecedented geopolitical and regulatory shockwave that forced Anthropic to pull its most advanced AI models—Claude Fable 5 and Mythos 5—offline globally. Triggered by an emergency export control directive from the US Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), Anthropic was reportedly given just 90 minutes t...

In this episode, we break down the critical compliance lessons from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) June 1, 2026, enforcement release. Global business advisory firm FTI Consulting, Inc. has agreed to pay $1,050,000 to settle potential civil liability for apparent violations of Russia-related sectoral sanctions. The case centers on a fundamental complia...

In this episode, we break down the historic $275 million settlement between the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and India’s Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL) announced in May 2026.  This case represents a watershed moment for non-U.S. companies operating in high-risk energy corridors, highlighting how easily a foreign entity can trigger severe U.S. civil lia...

In this episode, we break down the major April 2026 Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) enforcement action against GE Aerospace. Securing a $36 million civil penalty and a 36-month Consent Agreement, this case is an essential case study for international trade compliance professionals. We dissect the 116 ITAR violations, including the infamous "unattended laptop in China" incident...

On May 1, 2026, a sweeping new Executive Order fundamentally reshaped U.S. sanctions policy toward Cuba. Moving beyond the traditional list-based approach, this new framework introduces Sectoral Sanctions and high-stakes Secondary Sanctions for Foreign Financial Institutions (FFIs) . In this brief, we analyze the "Russia Playbook" application to Cuba and what it means for global compliance...

Despite Western trade restrictions, luxury goods are still making their way into Russia. This episode breaks down Poland's recent enforcement actions, including a €4.7 million penalty and multiple arrests, against networks illegally exporting millions of euros worth of luxury vehicles. Learn how transit routes and fraudulent documents are being used to feed the Russian market. 

In this episode, we dive into the growing crisis in U.S. export licensing based on a recent survey by the CSIS . We explore how the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is facing unprecedented backlogs, with more than half of surveyed tech exporters waiting over 180 days for license reviews—well beyond the 90-day statutory limit. Discover how these extended timelines and a lack of transparency ar...

The UK’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) has entered its second decade with a high-stakes mandate. In this episode, we break down the newly released OFSI Strategy 2026-29 , a roadmap that shifts the UK from a reactive posture to a proactive, intelligence-led enforcement powerhouse. If your organization operates in or through the UK, the "PERC" framework is your new comp...

Analysis of the new OFAC "Functional Reality" standard. We discuss the December 2025 enforcement precedents and the 2026 advisory on sham transactions. Essential listening for Trade Compliance and KYC professionals.

The Swiss Federal Supreme Court has just changed the rules of the game for international trade compliance. In this episode, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the landmark March 2026 judgment in Case 4A_305/2025 . This ruling establishes a "statutory moratorium" (Stundung) for debts linked to sanctioned entities under the Swiss Ukraine Ordinance , fundamentally altering how multination...

In this episode, we break down the April 2026 BIS enforcement action against Coastal PVA Technology, Inc. . Learn how 18 violations involving EAR99 semiconductor brushes led to a $1.7 million civil penalty . We explore the dangers of "knowledge" in third-party distributions , the specific risks of shipping to SMIC Beijing and SMIC North , and why "no formal compliance program" is a...

In this episode, we break down the 20th package of EU restrictive measures against Russia , adopted in April 2026. This isn't just another list of names; it’s a fundamental shift in enforcement strategy. We analyze the operational impact for Trade Compliance Professionals , including: The Shadow Fleet Crackdown: Understanding the new legal basis for maritime service bans and the 'No Russia...

In a landmark move, the UK’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) has fined Apple Distribution International (ADI) £390,000. Despite being based in Cork, Ireland, the tech giant fell under UK jurisdiction—but how? In this episode, we break down the March 2026 enforcement case involving Russian streaming service Okko, Sberbank, and the "strict liability" trap. We explore how...

Following the February 2026 escalation, the Swiss Bundesrat has invoked strict neutrality laws. We break down the Swiss War Materiel Act (WMA), the Goods Control Act (GCA) for dual-use items, and the Interdepartmental Expert Group's new review process. Learn how to manage contract frustration and compliance red flags in this changing regulatory landscape.

Dive into the latest Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) enforcement action , where Florida-based brokerage firm TradeStation Securities, Inc. agreed to a $1,110,661 settlement for 481 apparent sanctions violations. Discover how a series of seemingly minor technical glitches and human errors allowed users in comprehensively sanctioned jurisdictions—including Iran, Syria, and the Crimea region...

What happens when a bank’s leadership systematically overrides its own compliance department? We deep-dive into the MBaer Merchant Bank scandal. We break down the specific failures that led to a $6.4 billion liquidation, the role of the IRGC-QF and PDVSA in their portfolio, and the "Economic Plausibility" tests that failed. Essential listening for AML and Trade Compliance officers navigati...

An in-depth analysis of the March 2026 National Cyber Strategy. We explore the Trump Administration’s plan to streamline cybersecurity regulations while aggressively decoupling critical infrastructure from adversary-controlled supply chains. A must-listen for compliance professionals managing U.S. tech and infrastructure interests. Source: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Pres...

An expert deep-dive into the regulatory implications of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030). We analyze the shift toward "New Quality Productive Forces," the evolution of export controls, and the compliance risks associated with dual-circulation supply chains. Essential listening for trade compliance practitioners navigating the next five years of US-China trade relations. Source: http...

On February 24, 2026, China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) fundamentally altered the trade landscape by adding 20 Japanese entities to its Export Control List and 20 more to a "Watch List." This episode of the Trade Compliance Brief analyzes why icons like Subaru, Mitsubishi Materials, and TDK are now under intense scrutiny. We discuss the shift toward restricting any dual-use items that...

In this episode of the Trade Compliance Brief, we dissect the February 26, 2026, BIS Final Order against Teledyne FLIR LLC. We explore how 18 violations of the EAR led to a significant civil penalty and learnings from this case. BIS Order can be found here: https://www.bis.gov/press-release/bis-reaches-administrative-enforcement-settlement-teledyne-flir-llc-its-affiliates-flir-optoelectronic