On February 10, 2025 President Trump issued an executive order directing the DOJ to pause enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). What does this mean for U.S. Exporters?

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act was passed in 1977, making it illegal for U.S. persons to bribe foreign government officials to assist in obtaining or retaining business.

It should be noted that despite the pause in enforcement, FCPA remains in effect. It would be prudent for US companies to maintain their compliance programs, as enforcement status could change under the current or future administrations within the 5-year statute of limitations. Also, other countries such as the U.K. have anti-bribery laws of their own.

There is no pause in enforcement of the Export Administration Regulations or other regulations that affect exporters, in fact enforcement could increase.  Strong compliance programs remain important to avoid or minimize the risks of investigations that may not materialize until years later.

As always, American Cargoservice is committed to providing valuable updates to our customers.

Give us a call or email today to see how we can assist.