Upcoming Florida Itar Seminar – Itar 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% since 2006 – with fines often in the millions of dollars and imprisonment in criminal cases. Manufacturers and exporters of defense articles take on a significant responsibility when it comes to compliance with the International Traffic In Arms Regulations (ITAR). 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 UPS, presents “Understanding the ITAR – ITAR Bootcamp” featuring consulting firm Compliance Assurance LLC and the law firms of Dilworth Paxson LLP and Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A. These ITAR experts will provide critical information to individuals engaging in export activities and keep them from getting in trouble with federal authorities.

A full-day “Understanding the ITAR” seminar will be held at Nova Southeastern University in Davie, Florida on Thursday, April 22, 2010. This ITAR seminar is part of the Florida District Export Council’s ongoing “Export University” education series. Seminar participants may register by contacting Stephanie Heckel at the Ft. Lauderdale U.S. Export Assistance Center (954-356-6640, ext. 19; Stephanie.Heckel@trade.gov).

Consider the fact that a Port St. Lucie, FL man was convicted last year for the illegal sales of military-grade electronic amplifiers to China and sentenced to 60 months in prison. 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”.

It is important for all exporters to be aware that not only “things that go boom” are controlled under the ITAR. Potentially any item designed for military application may be included on the United States Munitions List (USML). This could include aircraft parts used on civilian aircraft that were originally designed for military aircraft or electronic components, like those in the Port St. Lucie case, that were designed for military applications.

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

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