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Department of Commerce Transshipment Country Export Control Initiative (TECI)

Executive Summary

The illicit transshipment, re-export, and diversion of goods and technologies in international commerce compromise the effectiveness of U.S. trade agreements and export control laws. In so doing, such illicit transshipments harm U.S. industry, threaten U.S. security, weaken confidence in the international trading regime, and undermine international efforts to liberalize trade. To help combat these threats, the Department of Commerce (DOC) has launched the Transshipment Country Export Control Initiative (TECI). (1)

The TECI is a multi-faceted, cooperative initiative that seeks to strengthen the trade compliance and export control systems of those countries and companies that constitute global transshipment hubs. By working to strengthen those systems, the DOC seeks to enhance security and confidence in international trade flows.

The TECI has two principal prongs:

A government-to-government prong, whereby the DOC works with its counterpart trade and export control agencies in key transshipment countries to (a) assist them in the adoption of export and transshipment control regimes tailored to their economies, (b) exchange data to facilitate more effective administration of U.S. and transshipment country trade controls, and (c) encourage them to adopt certain other measures to facilitate better enforcement of U.S. trade and export control laws. A government-to-private sector prong, whereby the DOC works with industry - in particular, companies involved in the transportation of goods through transshipment country hubs, and major consignees and end-users of goods located in those hubs - to enlist their support in preventing illicit transshipments. The TECI seeks to avoid imposing unnecessary costs on industry by coordinating with other agencies to eliminate wasteful duplication of effort and by bringing real security benefits to industry that will enhance legitimate trade.

Within the DOC, the TECI will be coordinated by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), working with other relevant DOC agencies (including the International Trade Administration). BIS will also work closely with other relevant U.S. Government agencies (including the Departments of State and Energy and the U.S. Customs Service), and will build on, coordinate with, and support relevant existing and proposed programs and initiatives (including the Export Control and Border Security (EXBS) Program, the Container Security Initiative (CSI), the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), Operation Shield America, and the Dangerous Materials Initiative.

Global Transshipment Control Enforcement Conference
Sydney, Australia - July 15-18, 2003

Statement of Principles
Co-Chair's Summary of Best Practices

Guidance on Reexports:

Guidance on Reexports and other Offshore Transactions Involving U.S.-Origin Items

Best Practices:

Commerce Department Seeks Comments on Export Control "Best Practices" for Industry
Press Release | Federal Register Notice

 

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^1. Unless otherwise specified, "transshipment" covers transshipment, transit, re-export and diversion of goods, services, and technologies.

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