BIS publishes technical amendments to the EAR: ECCN 0Y521

On January 6, 2021, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) published in the Federal Register an interim final rule and technical amendment that extends for an additional year an interim amendment to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) published on January 6, 2020, to add Software Specially Designed to Automate the Analysis of Geospatial Imagery to the 0Y521 Temporary Export Control Classification Numbers (ECCN) Series as 0D521.

See https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2021-01-06/pdf/2020-28776.pdf

USTR revises Sec. 301 action re: EU Civil Aircraft

On January 6, 2020, the US Trade Representative (USTR) published in the Federal Register a notice that USTR has determined to revise the action being taken in the Section 301 investigation, “Enforcement of US WTO Rights in Large Civil Aircraft Dispute,” to mirror the approach taken by the European Union (EU) in exercising its World Trade Organization (WTO) authorization in the Boeing dispute. In implementing this approach, the USTR has determined to revise the action by adding certain products of certain EU member States to the list of products subject to additional duties.

See https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2021-01-06/pdf/2020-29225.pdf

US enacts NDAA 2021 with additional sanctions against Turkey, Russia, and China

On January 1, 2021, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (the “NDAA 2021”) was enacted into law after the US Congress voted to override the President’s veto of the bill. The defense budget legislation authorizes $740.5 billion for national defense spending and sets policies on military compensation, procurement of equipment, operations, and training. In addition, similar to most National Defense Authorization Acts in recent years, the NDAA 2021 includes provisions regarding sanctions and export controls.

See https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-116hr6395enr/pdf/BILLS-116hr6395enr.pdf

US enacts NDAA 2021 with additional sanctions against Turkey, Russia, and China

On January 1, 2021, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (the “NDAA 2021”) was enacted into law after the US Congress voted to override the President’s veto of the bill. The defense budget legislation authorizes $740.5 billion for national defense spending and sets policies on military compensation, procurement of equipment, operations, and training. In addition, similar to most National Defense Authorization Acts in recent years, the NDAA 2021 includes provisions regarding sanctions and export controls.

See https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-116hr6395enr/pdf/BILLS-116hr6395enr.pdf

NRC updates and clarifies rules for exports of nuclear material

On December 31, 2020, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) published in the Federal Register a final rule [NRC–2018–0294] amending its export and import regulations to maintain the regulatory status quo for nuclear exports to the United Kingdom (UK), upon the entry into force of a new civil nuclear cooperation agreement between the United States (US) and the UK (the US – UK 123 Agreement).

See https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2020-12-31/pdf/2020-27816.pdf

NRC updates and clarifies rules for exports of nuclear material

On December 31, 2020, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) published in the Federal Register a final rule [NRC–2018–0294] amending its export and import regulations to maintain the regulatory status quo for nuclear exports to the United Kingdom (UK), upon the entry into force of a new civil nuclear cooperation agreement between the United States (US) and the UK (the US – UK 123 Agreement).

See https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2020-12-31/pdf/2020-27816.pdf

CBP publishes quarterly IRS interest rates

On December 30, 2020, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published in the Federal Register a general notice that advises the public that the quarterly Internal Revenue Service interest rates used to calculate interest on overdue accounts (underpayments) and refunds (overpayments) of customs duties will remain the same from the previous quarter. For the calendar quarter beginning January 1, 2021, the interest rates for overpayments will be 2 percent for corporations and 3 percent for non-corporations, and the interest rate for underpayments will be 3 percent for both corporations and non-corporations.

See https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2020-12-30/pdf/2020-28821.pdf

CBP publishes quarterly IRS interest rates

On December 30, 2020, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published in the Federal Register a general notice that advises the public that the quarterly Internal Revenue Service interest rates used to calculate interest on overdue accounts (underpayments) and refunds (overpayments) of customs duties will remain the same from the previous quarter. For the calendar quarter beginning January 1, 2021, the interest rates for overpayments will be 2 percent for corporations and 3 percent for non-corporations, and the interest rate for underpayments will be 3 percent for both corporations and non-corporations.

See https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2020-12-30/pdf/2020-28821.pdf