South Florida Experts Help Keep Exporters Out Of Trouble

May 4, 2009 - PRLog -- Investigations and prosecutions of export violations are on the rise and penalties have increased by almost 2,500% since 2006 - with fines often in the millions of dollars and imprisonment in criminal cases.  Exporters face a complex range of responsibilities, imposed by a variety of regulatory agencies, for compliance with export regulations.  The law firm of Becker & Poliakoff, P.A., consulting firm Compliance Assurance LLC and software leader OCR Services, Inc. have teamed up to provide critical information to individuals engaging in export activities and keep them from getting in trouble with federal authorities.

Two half-day seminars will be held at the South Florida law offices of Becker & Poliakoff.   The first is in Hollywood on Wednesday, May 13th and the second is in Coral Gables on Tuesday, June 2nd.  For more information call Ana Ziade at (954) 985-4104 or visit their website at www.becker-poliakoff.com/events/seminars/ear_itar_2009_reg.html.

Consider the fact that a Port St. Lucie, FL man was convicted last month for illegal sales of military-grade electronic amplifiers to China and is now facing up to 30 years in prison and more than $4 million in fines.  Jim Anzalone, President of Compliance Assurance LLC, believes that “now is the time for companies to promote export compliance training.  A sluggish global economy is driving the requirement for better compliance.   Exporters are working with reduced staff and employees are wearing multiple hats.  And, in tough economic times, there is a natural temptation for management to accept a higher level of risk in their export sales dealings.  Companies simply cannot afford to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars or more due to penalties in these economic conditions”.

Peter Quinter, board certified international lawyer and partner in charge of the Customs and International Trade Department of the international law firm of Becker & Poliakoff says that “this is a unique opportunity to learn from experts how to implement successful compliance programs and navigate the potentially hazardous processes of criminal and civil export enforcement.  Exporters can learn about Foreign Trade Regulations, International Traffic In Arms (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR) training requirements and benefit from interaction with other individuals in the South Florida export community”.

It is no secret that export enforcement and penalties have increased significantly in recent years.  However, these experts believe that this is not the main reason that most people work hard to ensure their compliance with U.S. laws and regulations.  Says Jim Anzalone, “our laws exist to ensure national security and advance foreign policy objectives and it is our collective desire to protect the U.S., its allies and do the right thing”.   

About the Sponsors:

Becker & Poliakoff, P.A. is a diverse commercial law firm with 125 attorneys practicing in 13 offices throughout Florida, New York, Nassau, Prague and affiliated offices around the world. The firm's primary practice areas include: Customs and International Trade; Government Law & Lobbying; Construction Law; Corporate & Securities; Commercial Litigation; Real Estate and Community Association Law.

Compliance Assurance LLC is a private consultancy firm specializing in global trade compliance solutions. The firm’s primary mission is to assure companies’ compliance with the federal regulations governing import and export trade activities.  

OCR Services, Inc. is a leading provider of solutions for global trade compliance whose long-standing mission is to encourage proactivity to keep the international trade community compliant with government regulations.

South Florida Manufacturers Association (SFMA) is a non-profit trade association whose mission is to promote the growth and economic well being of the regions manufacturers by acting as a unified force, representing common interests and providing needed benefits and services

# # #

Compliance Assurance LLC is a private consultancy firm specializing in global trade compliance solutions. The firm’s primary mission is to assure companies’ compliance with the federal regulations governing import and export trade activities.