Photo of Samir D. Varma

Samir advises multinational corporations on export controls, economic sanctions and customs, and counsels individuals and corporations on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and other anti-corruption laws. He represents clients in enforcement actions before U.S. regulatory agencies and conducts corporate internal investigations.

On July 20, 2023, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) implemented further sanctions against Russia to restrict “access to products that support its military and war efforts; reduce Russia’s revenue from the metals and mining sector; undermine its future energy capabilities; degrade Russia’s access to the international financial system; and

On April 19, 2023, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued General License (GL) 5L, “Authorizing Certain Transactions Related to the Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. 2020 8.5 Percent Bond on or After October 20, 2023,” which continues to delay U.S. persons’ ability to enforce bondholder rights to the CITGO

On July 10, 2023, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued Venezuela-related General License 40B, “Authorizing Certain Transactions Involving the Exportation or Reexportation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas to Venezuela.” This revised general license continues authorization of all transactions and activities related to the exportation or reexportation, directly or indirectly

On June 28, 2023, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) announced that the United States was joining its “Five Eye” partners – Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom – in committing to formally coordinate on export control enforcement.  While these allied countries have shared intelligence and other national security

  • The May 2023 FinCEN/BIS Joint Alert supplements the Joint Alert published by FinCEN and BIS in June 2022.
  • The Supplemental Joint Alert offers financial institutions new and updated information on export control restrictions imposed by BIS related to Russia.
  • Included is a list of certain “high priority” items organized according to their Harmonized

On May 19, 2023, the Department of the Treasury issued a Determination pursuant to E.O. 14071 that prohibits the exportation, reexportation, sale, or supply, directly or indirectly, from the United States, or by a U.S. person, wherever located, of architecture or engineering services to any person located in the Russian Federation. The determination excludes the

On May 23, 2023, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued Venezuela-related General License 8L, extending authorization until November 19, 2023 for certain activities previously authorized under General License 8K. General License 8L authorizes the continuation of transactions and activities “ordinarily incident and necessary to the limited maintenance of