CSMS #51289159 – OFAC Issues General License Authorizing Certain Transactions with Respect to Seafood, Alcoholic Beverages and Non-Industrial Diamond Importations from the Russian Federation

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued GENERAL LICENSE NO.17: Authorizing Transactions Related to Certain Imports Prohibited by Executive Order of March 11, 2022 Part A of this general license states, “all transactions prohibited by section 1(a)(i) of Executive Order of March 11, 2022, Prohibiting Certain Imports, Exports, and New Investment With Respect to Continued Russian Federation Aggression, that are ordinarily incident and necessary to the importation into the United States of fish, seafood, and preparations thereof; alcoholic beverages; or non-industrial diamonds of Russian Federation origin pursuant to written contracts or written agreements entered into prior to March 11, 2022 are authorized through 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time, March 25, 2022.”

IMPORTANT and FOR IMMEDIATE EFFECT:

CBP will therefore be requiring filers of entries or admissions to Foreign Trade Zones for shipments of crude oil; petroleum; fish, seafood, and preparations thereof; alcoholic beverages; or non-industrial diamonds of Russian Federation origin to provide purchase orders and/or executed contracts and/or any other documentation showing when the order and/or contract went into effect. Such documentation will be required through 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time, March 25, 2022, after which General License No. 17 expires and EO issued March 11, 2022 takes full effect.

The full general license can be accessed here:

https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/126/russia_gl17.pdf

CBP intends to require this documentation prior to unlading of the conveyances and will place holds on affected cargo pending verification of the required information. This information should be provided to CBP at the port of entry where the cargo is intended to be unladen and should include conveyance information, bill of lading number(s) and entry number(s) or FTZ admission information. CBP encourages the submission of the proof required under GL 17 as soon as possible, preferably prior to arrival, to prevent any undue delays at ports for qualifying shipments. Additional contact information and process may be provided, and this guidance will be updated appropriately.
In addition, effective immediately, shipments of fish, seafood, and preparations thereof; alcoholic beverages; or non-industrial diamonds of Russian Federation origin are not authorized for direct delivery privilege until further notice. Admission via a CBP Form 214 or electronic equivalent prior to authorization will be required for the duration of this EO.
CBP expects trade partners to continue to be proactive in identifying shipments subject to the EO and the General License and to provide appropriate documentation to ensure compliance