Shipper settles with OFAC for $518K

OFAC has reported that Blue Sky Blue Sea, Inc., doing business as American Export Lines and International Shipping Company (USA) (collectively, “AEL”), of Los Angeles, California, has agreed to pay $518,063 to settle potential civil liability for 140 apparent violations of the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations, 31 C.F.R. Part 560 (ITSR).

Specifically, from on or about April 25, 2010 to on or about June 2, 2012, AEL appears to have violated § 560.204 of the ITSR by transshipping used and junked cars and parts from the United
States via Iran to Afghanistan on 140 occasions. OFAC determined that AEL did not voluntarily self-disclose the apparent violations to OFAC, and that the apparent violations constitute a non-egregious case. The maximum statutory civil monetary penalty amount for the apparent violations was $35,000,000, and the base civil monetary penalty amount was $1,535,000.