On July 17, 2026, the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC“) announced certain updates and changes to its Hong Kong-related sanctions program following the expiration of the national emergency declared in Executive Order (“EO“) 13936,
Sanctions & Export Controls Update
The Sanctions & Export Controls Update blog, published by Baker McKenzie, focuses on legal developments and regulatory changes related to international sanctions and export control regimes. It covers topics such as updates on sanctions imposed by governments and international bodies, compliance requirements for businesses, enforcement actions, licensing procedures, and the impact of sanctions on cross-border trade and transactions. The blog also addresses specific country sanctions, dual-use goods regulations, and coordinated international sanctions efforts, providing insights relevant to multinational corporations, legal practitioners, and compliance professionals navigating complex sanctions landscapes.
Latest from Sanctions & Export Controls Update - Page 3
BIS Grants the UAE Enhanced Favorable Treatment Under the EAR
On July 10, 2026, the US Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) issued a final rule (the “Final Rule”), providing enhanced favorable treatment to the United Arab Emirates (“UAE”) under the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). BIS indicates…
Additional Sanctions on Sudan under the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act
On July 20, 2026, the US State Department published Public Notice 13072 imposing additional sanctions on Sudan under Section 307(b) of the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act of 1991 (the “Act”). The action follows the State…
EU adopts 21st Russia sanctions package
On 23 July 2026, the European Council adopted its 21st package of Russia sanctions as well as additional measures targeting Belarus. The package concentrates on sectors with the greatest impact on Russia’s war economy, including energy, shipping, gold, financial services…
UK National Security (State Threats) Act 2026: new designation regime for state-linked threats and proxy organisations
On 8th July 2026, the UK enacted the National Security (State Threats) Act 2026 (the new “Act“), introducing a new power for the Home Secretary to designate bodies involved in foreign power threat activity and creating criminal offences for supporting,…
OFAC Issues General License Authorizing Agricultural and Medical Transactions and Activities Related to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda
On July 10, 2026, the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) issued General License No. 2 (“GL 2”) under the Democratic Republic of the Congo Sanctions Regulations (the “DRCSR”) as the eastern Democratic Republic of…
United States: Administration Issues New Executive Order on Quantum Innovation
On June 22, 2026, President Trump signed Executive Order 14411, on Ushering in the Next Frontier of Quantum Innovation (the “EO”). The EO establishes a national policy to maintain a strategic technical advantage in quantum information science and technology (QIST)…
OFAC Targets Iranian Commercial Networks and Issues Iran-Related Wind Down General Licenses
On July 10, 2026, the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) announced a series of Iran-related sanctions designations targeting Iranian financial facilitator Ali Ansari and his financial network, as well as several Iranian exchange houses accused…
OFAC sanctions parties for links to Brazilian Foreign Terrorist Organization PCC
On July 1, 2026, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) in the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on several parties due to links to Brazil-based Primeiro Comando da Capital (i.e., First Capital Command, or “PCC”). This was the first…
US Initiates Process to Rescind Syria’s State Sponsor of Terrorism Designation
On July 8, 2026, the US Department of State announced that President Trump had notified Congress of his administration’s intent to rescind Syria’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism (“SST”). The notification initiates a 45-day period that must elapse…