26-0730: Thursday's "Export/Import Daily Bugle"

1. Today's Federal Register (No items of interest.)

(Source: Today's Federal Register)

2. Future Federal Register (No items of interest.)

(Source: Future Federal Register)

3. CBP Cargo Systems Messages

(Source: DHS/CBP/CSMS)

4. CBP Events in August 2026

(Source: OTR Webinars)

5. Commerce/BIS (Nothing new.)

(Source: Commerce/BIS)

6. State/DDTC (Nothing new.)

(Source: State/DDTC)

7. UK Export Control Joint Unit: Airbus Agrees to Settlement for UK Export Control Violations

(Source: UK ECJU, 29 Jul 2026)

Airbus Operations Limited have paid HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) a compound settlement of £6,409,388 for offences under The Export Control Order 2008.

Over a sustained period before November 2022, Airbus Operations Ltd breached:

The above are offences contrary to Articles 38(1)(a) and (b) Export Control Order 2008. This case was brought to HMRC's attention following a voluntary disclosure by Airbus Operations Ltd, who have fully cooperated with HMRC's investigation and implemented appropriate remediation measures.
     The case highlights the need for businesses operating within international supply chains to maintain strong internal controls when exporting goods and transferring technology subject to licensing requirements. For transfers made under OGELs, the requirements are set out in the Export Control Order 2008. There may be additional requirements in the OGELs and any SIELs themselves.
     Guidance on exporting military or dual-use technology is available on GOV.UK. All further enquiries relating to this Notice should be referred to [email protected]

8. US Trade Representative (No items of interest.)

(Source: USTR Press Office)

9. White House Executive Actions (No items of interest.)

(Source: The White House)

10. Expeditors News: "EU Adopts 21st Sanctions Package Against Russia"

(Source: Expeditors News, 29 Jul 2026) [Excerpts]

In a press release published on July 23, 2026, the European Council announced the adoption of the 21st package of sanctions against Russia. According to the Council, the new sanctions include "the largest batch of individual listings of the last four years." They also target energy, financial services, and cryptocurrency.

Highlights of the package include:

The new package of EU sanctions also includes further measures against Belarus.
     Read the full EU press release HERE.

11. Inside Defense: "Lockheed Martin, Pentagon Finalize $53.9B PAC-3 Contract Mod, Pushing Deal to $58.6B"

(Source: Inside Defense, 29 Jul 2026)

Six months after Pentagon officials called a new way of buying weapons a "watershed moment," and months after a statutory budget-review clock stood between that idea and a signed contract, the government put a price on the bet: up to $53.9 billion.
     On July 29, Lockheed Martin announced the Pentagon had awarded a seven-year, undefinitized contract action (UCA) modification valued at up to $53.9 billion for Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE) interceptors. The Pentagon did not publish a contract announcement. . . . [Full article]

12. Reuters: "Airbus Pays £6 Million Fine in UK Export Control Probe"

(Source: Reuters, 29 Jul 2026) [Excerpts]

PARIS - Airbus said on Wednesday it had paid just over £6.4 million (US $8.6 million) to UK revenue and customs authorities to settle a two-year-old investigation into export control violations. The European plane maker announced the probe involving several of its British entities in 2024.
     The settlement agreed earlier this month "closes and fully resolves the matter," Airbus said in notes to quarterly earnings released on Wednesday.
     People familiar with the probe have said it focused on anomalies over the cross-border transfer of parts for the A400M military airlifter that came to light during an audit in 2022.
     Airbus declined comment on details of the investigation but said it had voluntarily disclosed the issues and had cooperated fully with the review. The company "has long since implemented comprehensive remediation measures," a spokesperson said.

13. Steptoe: "EU AI Act Amendments Enter Into Force"

(Source: Lexblog, 30 Jul 2026) [Excerpts]

* Principal Author: Evan T. Abrams, Steptoe LLP

On July 27, 2026, Regulation (EU) 2026/1744 amending the EU AI Act entered into force. The Regulation introduces targeted amendments while maintaining the AI Act's core requirements. Most notably, it gives organizations additional time to prepare for obligations applicable to high-risk AI systems.
     The Regulation does not, however, suspend or defer obligations that already apply under the AI Act, including the prohibitions on certain AI practices and obligations applicable to general-purpose AI models. Nor does it alter the application date for AI Act obligations not specifically addressed by the targeted amendments, including the transparency obligations that generally apply from August 2, 2026, subject to the limited exception discussed below.
     This additional time should not slow organizations' compliance efforts. The revised deadlines will arrive quickly, and organizations should use the extension to assess their AI systems, prioritize compliance gaps, and implement the governance, documentation, testing, and monitoring measures required by the AI Act. . . .
     Key amendments include: . . . [Full article]

14. Baker/McKenzie: "BIS Grants the UAE Enhanced Favorable Treatment Under the EAR"

(Source: Global Sanctions and Export Controls Blog, 29 Jul 2026) [Excerpts]

* Principal Author: Janet K. Kim, Baker Mckenzie

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 the change is a recognition of the UAE's status as a US Major Defense Partner, its key role in advancing US national security interests including during Operation Epic Fury, its commitment to implementing effective export controls to protect sensitive technology, and the close commercial ties between the United States and the UAE.
     In particular, the Final Rule removes the UAE from Country Groups D:3 (Chemical & Biological) and D:4 (Missile Technology) and adds the UAE to Country Group A:5, effectively expanding the license exceptions available for exports, reexports, and in-country transfers to or within the UAE. . . .
     Key changes to the EAR include: . . .
     Companies with UAE-facing business should reassess licensing determinations for controlled products in light of the UAE's new Country Group A:5 status and the additional license exceptions now available. . . . [Full article]

15. GBFR: "Airbus Says it Paid £6 Million Fine in UK Export Control Probe"

(Source: Global Banking & Finance Review, 29 Jul 2026)

Settlement Announcement and Payment. Airbus said on Wednesday it had paid just over £6.4 million to UK revenue and customs authorities to settle a two-year-old investigation into export control violations. The European plane maker announced the probe involving several of its British entities in 2024.
     Resolution of the Investigation. The settlement agreed earlier this month "closes and fully resolves the matter," Airbus said in notes to quarterly earnings released on Wednesday.
     Focus of the Probe. People familiar with the probe have said it focused on anomalies over the cross-border transfer of parts for the A400M military airlifter that came to light during an audit in 2022.
     Airbus Response and Cooperation. Airbus declined comment on details of the investigation but said it had voluntarily disclosed the issues and had cooperated fully with the review. . . .
     [Full article]

16. Legis1: "U.S. Arms Sales Policy Prioritizes Defense Industrial Base"

(Source: Legis1, 29 Jul 2026) [Excerpts]

A new Congressional Research Service report published July 27 examines how the U.S. military equipment sales system is undergoing significant restructuring under the current administration.
     For Congress, this represents both an opportunity to shape policy and a challenge to maintain oversight. For allies and partners seeking American weapons, it signals a new calculus: access to U.S. defense technology increasingly depends on demonstrating commitment to their own defense spending and supporting American defense manufacturing.
     The Big Picture. In fiscal year 2025, the combined value of U.S. defense articles, services, and security cooperation activities conducted under Foreign Military Sales (FMS) totaled $104.4 billion. Of that sum, $75.9 billion in arms sales were funded by U.S. allies and partner nations themselves.
     The FMS program is authorized primarily under the Arms Export Control Act of 1976, which authorizes sales from DOD stocks, procurement for cash sales, credit sales, and guaranties.
     [Full article]

17. ST&R Trade Report: "Customs Brokers Have Six Months to Complete Continuing Education Hours"

(Source: Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg Trade Report) [Excerpts]. Contact: [email protected], 1-305-894-1035

Customs brokers have until Jan. 31, 2027, to complete 20 hours of continuing education for the current triennial reporting period. STR associate Andrea Jeglum highlighted that deadline in a recent webinar reviewing the broker CE requirement.
     Under a June 2023 final rule U.S. Customs and Border Protection is requiring individual customs broker license holders to complete at least 36 continuing education credits per triennial period, which works out to an hour per month. However, because brokers were not able to begin completing qualified CE courses until Jan. 1, 2025, CBP is only requiring 20 credits for the triennial period ending Jan. 31, 2027.
     In addition, brokers who obtain their licenses in 2024, 2025, or 2026 do not need to obtain CE credits until the 2027-2030 triennial period. Brokers can earn CE credits for a variety of accredited training or educational activities, whether in-person or online, including seminars, webinars, workshops, self-guided activities, port tours, trade days sponsored by local trade associations, conventions, and (subject to certain limitations and requirements) the preparation and presentation of subject matter as an instructor or speaker.
     CBP has said that while training or educational activities provided by it or any other federal agency that is relevant to customs business will automatically qualify as CE credit, training or educational activities offered by third-party, non-government providers will only qualify if they have been approved beforehand by a CBP-selected accreditor. . . .

18. Torres: "Export Controls Are Entering a New Era"

(Source: Torres Insights, 28 Jul 2026) [Excerpts]

* Principal Author: Olga Torres, Esq., Torres Trade Law, PLLC

For executives and exporters, the era of treating export controls as a compliance checkbox may be coming to an end. Testifying before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on July 14 regarding the 2027 budget for the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), Commerce Under Secretary Jeffrey Kessler outlined BIS's priorities, key trade initiatives, and future projects shaping U.S. trade policy.
     According to Kessler, BIS remains focused on protecting the "crown jewels" of the American economy: critical technologies and supply chains.
     As geopolitical tensions escalate—from semiconductor competition with China to pressure campaigns involving Iran—recent White House actions underscore this focus:

Against this backdrop, it is clear that the executive views the BIS and other trade-related departments as an enforcement arm of the broader national security strategy.

19. Volkov: "DOJ's Corporate Leniency Wave: Fewer Charges for Companies and Continued Focus on Individuals"

(Source: Volkov Law, 29 Jul 2026) [Excerpts]

* Principal Author: Michael Volkov, Volkov Law Group LLC

A clear pattern has emerged in Justice Department corporate enforcement over the past several months, and it is worth compliance officers and general counsel taking notice: companies are being charged far less often, even in cases where prosecutors believed executives or managers were personally involved in the underlying wrongdoing, and that reduced corporate exposure has not been matched by a corresponding increase in individual prosecutions.
     The Pattern. In recent matters involving Alibaba, EagleBank, and Abbott Laboratories, the Department declined to charge the companies at all, despite internal disagreement among prosecutors about whether felony charges were warranted.
     Instead, companies are being given non-prosecution or deferred prosecution agreements, oftentimes including a monetary payment. In the case of Abbott, DOJ resolved allegations of tainted baby formula production by closing the investigation without charging the company.
     Notably, the Department also declined to charge any individuals in some of these matters. DOJ continues to emphasize its focus on prosecution of individuals responsible for criminal conduct. This has been evident in various prosecutions.
     In a number of serious cases, DOJ insisted on the company pleading guilty — a total of 50 companies have had to plead guilty to a criminal offense in the last five years. These high-profile cases resulted in guilty pleas from companies such as Goldman Sachs, TD Bank, and Allianz. This year, only 12 companies have pleaded guilty to federal criminal charges, while at least six, including Phillips 66 and Stericycle, have instead resolved matters through deferred prosecution agreements.
     The Administration's Rationale: . . .
     What Got Companies Out of Charges: . . .
     Compliance Takeaways: . . .
     [Full article]

20. Export Compliance Solutions Presents: "Virtual ITAR/EAR Boot Camp" 13-14 October

(Source: Marie Nicolo)

21. List of Export/Import Job Openings

(Source: Editor)

23. Bartlett's Unfamiliar Quotations

(Source: Brainy Quotes)

* Emily Bronte (Emily Jane Brontë; 30 Jul 1818 – 19 Dec 1848; was an English novelist and poet who is best known for her only novel, Wuthering Heights, now considered a classic of English literature. Emily was the third-eldest of the four surviving Brontë siblings, between the youngest Anne and her brother Branwell. She published under the pen name Ellis Bell.)

- "A person who has not done one half his day's work by ten o clock, runs a chance of leaving the other half undone."

* Henry Ford (30 Jul 1863 – 7 Apr 1947; was an American industrialist and business magnate, founder of the Ford Motor Company, and chief developer of the assembly line technique of mass production. By creating the first automobile that middle-class Americans could afford, he converted the automobile from an expensive curiosity into an accessible conveyance that profoundly impacted the landscape of the 20th century.)

- "Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently."

- "Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young."

- "If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right."

- "You can't build a reputation on what you say you are going to do."

24. Today in History (Source: History Channel)

1945: The U.S. cruiser USS Indianapolis was torpedoed and sunk by a Japanese submarine on July 30, 1945, shortly after completing a secret mission delivering key components and enriched uranium for the atomic bomb that would later be dropped on Hiroshima. Shortly after midnight on July 30, halfway between Guam and Leyte Gulf, a Japanese sub blasted the Indianapolis, sparking an explosion that split the ship and caused it to sink in approximately 12 minutes, with about 300 men trapped inside. Another 900 went into the water, where many died from drowning, shark attacks, dehydration or injuries from the explosion. Help did not arrive until four days later, on August 2, when an anti-submarine plane on routine patrol happened upon the men and radioed for assistance. Of the 1,196 men aboard, only 316 survived. The loss of the Indianapolis remains the deadliest single shipwreck in U.S. Navy history in terms of loss of life at sea.

1956: U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation making "In God We Trust" the official motto of the United States.

25. Do You Need to Update Your Daily Bugle Profile?

(Source: Editor)

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26. Are Your Copies of Export/Import Regulations Current?

(Source: Editor)

The official versions of the following regulations are published annually in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) but are updated as amended in the Federal Register. The latest amendments are listed below.