July 17th, 2012

Commercial Items require proper classification

It’s the fancy military exports that get all the attention, but some export regulations are in place for more mundane reasons.

Humane Restraint, Inc. found that out in the course of exporting straitjackets. The problem is they tried to ignore the law once they knew about it, too.

As a result of exporting materials restricted to fight crime, and of acting with knowledge of a violation (because they continued to attempt exports after having an attempted export seized), HR has been socked with a civil penalty of almost a half million dollars. Luckily for them, though, all but $50,000 of it is to be suspended for a two-year probationary period.

Still: How would your company do if it were one mistake away from paying over $400,000? to the government? Know and follow the law.