Warning Signs of a Chinese Scam ~ Sound too good to be true? Then it probably is!

Seven "Warning" Signs of a Chinese Scam

• The Chinese company contacted you via the web
• The Chinese company has "Import/Export" in their name
• They want to purchase a very large volume of goods
• They insist that your senior executive travel to China immediately to sign the contract with them in person
• They request money prior to the trip to pay for a reception in your honor, and/or, once in China, they request money or goods to "grease the wheels" with local officials
• They have been in business for less than one year
• They can provide no verifiable references
• The above list provided courtesy of GLOBIS of Chicago, IL.

For more information on GLOBIS and a full listing of services offered to companies, please visit their website at http://www.glo-bis.com, or contact Ms. Louise Kern at 773-220-4000.

For additional information on avoiding overseas fraud, please contact your local trade specialist.

New OFAC Sanctions on the Palestinian Authority

OFAC has determined that Hamas, previously designated as a terrorist entity, has a property interest in the transactions of the Palestinian Authority as a result of its victory in the recent elections. Effective immediately, U.S. persons are prohibited from engaging in transactions with the Palestinian Authority and may not transfer, pay, withdraw, export or otherwise deal in any property in which the Palestinian Authority has an interest unless authorized by OFAC. The Palestinian Authority, however, has not been added to the SDN list. Concurrently, OFAC has issued general licenses to authorize:

• Transactions with the Palestinian President and certain entities under his control;
• Certain activities of international organizations and U.S. persons employed by governments of states bordering the West Bank or Gaza;
• Transactions with the Palestinian Authority that are ordinarily incident to travel, employment, residence and personal maintenance;
• Payment of taxes by U.S. persons to the Palestinian Authority;
• Transactions through May 12, 2006 that are necessary to conclude ongoing contracts with the Palestinian Authority; and
• In-kind donations of medicine by non-governmental organizations for distribution in the West Bank or Gaza, subject to certain restrictions.

The distinction drawn between transactions with the Palestinian Authority and transactions with its President and certain entities he controls can be expected to produce difficult issues of interpretation for U.S. companies and persons doing business in the region.
___________________________
Prepared by: Catherine M. Chow
(310) 576-2193
catherine.chow@bryancave.com

Additional information can be found on OFAC's site - http://www.ustreas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/ - by clicking on the "Anti-terrorism sanctions" link.

NEW Regulations Affecting Exports to Mexico

The spread of insects through wood packaging materials has caused an international pest management issue. These wood pests have acted as catalysts for new regulations on the export of dunnage across the borders of the United States, Canada, and Mexico, as well as 130 other countries in the world. On September 16, 2005 the United States, Mexico and Canada began a phase-in of new regulations for wood packaging materials used in shipments for international commerce. These regulations affect virtually all shipments between the two countries. U.S. exporters need to know how to comply with these regulations to avoid having shipments stopped at the border. Please click here to download full text Regulatory Changes for Wood Packaging Materials.

New SBA Web Portal MY BIZ for Women Offers Women Entrepreneurs New Online
Tool for Business Start-Up

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration today announced the
launch of MY BIZ for Women, a new online tool designed to provide
comprehensive business information and assistance to women entrepreneurs.

MY BIZ for Women is designed to be the first step for all women business
owners, providing one-stop access to information for women entrepreneurs
highlighting the best resources the government has to offer. The Web
portal provides information on starting and growing a small business,
gaining access to capital and contracting opportunities and links to other
government agencies and SBA resource partners offering business counseling,
a state-by-state listing of SBA's Women's Business Centers and other
resource information. The MY BIZ for Women Web site can be found at
http://www.SBA.gov/women.

“Women-owned small businesses in the United States are rapidly growing –
they are starting businesses at twice the rate of all businesses,” said SBA
Administrator Hector V. Barreto.

“The introduction of MY BIZ for Women is critically important to help new
women entrepreneurs start and grow businesses in this country. The SBA is
committed to helping women entrepreneurs obtain access to information and
opportunities that will allow them to break down economic development
barriers, which will allow them to start and grow their small business.”

The launch of MY BIZ for Women was announced today at a White House event
honoring the new Chair of the National Women's Business Council (NWBC) Tami
Longaberger. Longaberger, the CEO of The Longaberger Company in Newark,
Ohio, was appointed by President Bush to the post in May 2005.

MY BIZ for Women will provide easy online access to the latest information
and business resources, serving as a single point of entry for women
entrepreneurs to government resources. Highlights of the new Web portal
feature up-to-date information on the issues of women in business,
including Women's Business Data & Research; Inspiring Success Stories;
Business Tips and Upcoming Events.

Women will be able to gain valuable insights into the world of
entrepreneurship from monthly guest columnists who will share their wisdom
and experience from unique perspectives. They can also subscribe to The
Women's Perspective, a free SBA newsletter for women in business.

Turkey - Istanbul~Caveat Emptor: Fraud in Istanbul

Virtually all Internet users are by now familiar with unsolicited requests by relatives of diseased persons for help in conveying their estates, allegedly worth many millions of dollars, to safety in U.S. bank accounts, in exchange for a large reward. However, this fraud has grown rather stale, and thus, innovative ones are on the rise. As U.S. companies have probably lost in excess of $100,000 to the fraud described below, we hope that this message will receive particular attention from the staff of Export Assistance Centers. The fraud that is apparently operating on the terrain of USCS Istanbul works like this:

A U.S. company is approached by a "consultant" in the United Kingdom, who reports that he has found a handsome export opportunity for the company in Turkey. The "consultant" notes that the services of a lawyer in Turkey will be needed to draw up the bill of sale, import documents, etc. The "consultant" is pleased to be able to provide the name and coordinates of a lawyer in Istanbul, who is "recommended by our consulate," and who will provide the requisite documents for $7,000 - $15,000. The U.S. company wires the money to an Istanbul bank account; at which point, the "consultant" (and the deal) fade from the scene.

USCS Istanbul has established that the lawyers whose names always turn up in these transactions are not Turkish, are probably not law firms, and may not be resident in Istanbul, although their bank accounts appear to be here. We are working with the Istanbul Financial Police in an attempt to shut down the participants in these frauds and to freeze their bank accounts. However, this requires time-consuming cooperation with federal ministries in Ankara; progress is slow. We thus urge Export Assistsance Centers, and all those in touch with U.S. exporters at risk to this fraud, to use the proverbial ounce of prevention: Please bring deals that fit this profile to our attention. With help from alert Export Assistance Centers, we have already been able to warn several companies in time and save them large amounts of money. However, many more are at risk of victimization. Please help us get the word out to them in time!