Locate an OEE Field Office | Antiboycott Advice Line

Things to look for in export transactions!

U.S. manufacturers, exporters, and shippers are in an excellent position to spot potential illegal export activity. They may well be the first parties contacted by Weapons of Mass Destruction proliferators, terrorist support organizations, and illicit procurement networks/front companies trying to acquire U.S.-origin items.

You can avoid becoming involved in potential export violations by following the Know Your Customer, Red Flags, and other compliance guidance found in the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and on this website.

BIS's Office of Export Enforcement (OEE) is very interested in working with you in instances in which you encounter suspicious inquiries or transactions which may violate the EAR. The information you can provide may well help OEE identify and build cases against export violators involved in proliferation, terrorism, and other illicit activities.

If you are asked to participate in a transaction that you believe may be a violation of the EAR, you are encouraged to contact one of our OEE offices immediately, or to use the Confidential Lead/Tip Form to submit a confidential tip. Please note that use of the Confidential Lead/Tip Form will not generate an automatic return e-mail to you. The information you submit will remain confidential.

BIS also actively works to ensure that parties to U.S. transactions do not participate in the Arab boycott of Israel. If you are being asked to participate in the Arab boycott of Israel, or if you are being asked questions such as:

• "What are the nationalities of the members of your Board of Directors?"
• "Is your firm related to the ABCXYZ company?"
• "Will you send us a list of your proposed suppliers?"

then it is possible you are being asked to engage in the Arab boycott. Any response you make to these types of questions, regardless of whether the answer is a “yes” or a “no,” may be a violation of the U.S. Department of Commerce's antiboycott regulations. You may be required to report the boycott requests you receive.

Before you respond to such questions, you are encouraged to call BIS’s Office of Antiboycott Compliance Advice Line immediately. The advice line duty officer will assist you in determining your reporting requirements. Callers to the BIS Advice Line may remain anonymous if they wish.

           Office of Export Enforcement Field Offices