Violation of BIS Antiboycott Rules Was ‘Paperwork Error,’ Airbus Says

Airbus DS Government Solutions, a Texas-based satellite communications company that was fined nearly $45,000 by the Bureau of Industry and Security for violating U.S. antiboycott regulations, said the violations resulted from a “paperwork error.”

“The incident was the result of a paperwork error that arose in dealing with an overseas freight forwarder that violated U.S. anti-boycott regulations,” Nathan Christensen, spokesperson for the firm’s parent company, Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, said in a June 4 email. He noted that Airbus DS Government Solutions voluntarily reported the violation and has “ceased working with the vendor and reinforced its export compliance program to ensure all employees fully understand and comply with the regulations.”

In a settlement released June 3, BIS said the company failed to report a boycott request to the U.S. government and gave a freight forwarder a commercial invoice and packing list to certify that the goods being shipped weren't made in Israel (see 2406030061).