Logistics via countries close to Russia may be a signal of an attempt to circumvent sanctions, Washington said.
The US authorities considered goods export suspicious if they are carried out via Uzbekistan. The statement is given in a list of recommendations compiled jointly by the US Departments of Commerce, Department of the Treasury, and Justice.
Department of Justice warns the local manufacturers, distributors, resellers and logistics firms to be vigilant and pay attention to suspicious transactions, emphasizing that they are subject to be checked for signs of violations of the sanctioning regime.
Among the signs that may signal the circumvention of Western sanctions, the US authorities highlight the following:
- Use of corporate vehicles (i.e., legal entities, such as shell companies, and legal
arrangements) to obscure (i) ownership, (ii) source of funds, or (iii) countries involved,
particularly sanctioned jurisdictions;
- A customer’s reluctance to share information about the end use of a product, including
reluctance to complete an end-user form;
- Use of shell companies to conduct international wire transfers, often involving financial
institutions in jurisdictions distinct from company registration;
- Declining customary installation, training, or maintenance of the purchased item(s);
- IP addresses that do not correspond to a customer’s reported location data and others;
According to the Wall Street Journal, the US Department of Justice will hire 25 prosecutors in the counterintelligence service and in the export control department in order to monitor attempts to circumvent sanctions.
The European Union is also aware of the increased attention to the observance of the sanctions imposed on Russia. EU Special Envoy for Sanctions David O'Sullivan suspected that states bordering Russia might help bypass European sanctions.
In early February 2023, the US Treasury imposed sanctions on Uzbek citizen Max Piflax for facilitating the circumvention of sanctions by the Russian military industry.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken noted that Washington is closely monitoring the observance of sanctions by the countries of Central Asia, during his recent visit to Tashkent.
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