31 CFR § 510.207 - Prohibited vessel transactions related to North Korean registration and flagging.

Date issued: Mar. 05 2018

TURBOFAC Commentary (244 words)

Notes:

1) The substance of this provision dates back to 2006, when U.S. sanctions on North Korea were relatively sparse (i.e. no embargo, government not blocked). It has been mandated since 2008 by Sec. 2 of EO 13466. Now that the Government of North Korea is blocked, and all imports of services are prohibited, much of what is prohibited here is also prohibited by 510.201 and/or 510.205.

2) This prohibition only applies on its face to U.S. persons, but note the secondary sanctions risk involved with virtually anything related to North Korean entities involved in the shipping industry, including those involved with the flagging of vessels. [1]

3) Query whether OFAC would consider any vessel flagged (but not owned or operated) by North Korea (or any other blocked person) to be "property" in which that Government has an "interest." If so, then this provision substantially understates the extent to which North Korean-flagged vessels are off limits to U.S. persons, because simply having goods shipped on blocked vessels constituted "dealing" in property in which the blocked person has an interest. See e.g. Civil Enforcement Information - Grand Resources USA, Inc. (d/b/a GR-Duratech Texas, Inc.) (2012). Foreign Assets Control Regulations and the Insurance Industry (brochure) (2012) is useful in this respect.

4) See related guidance: North Korea Sanctions Advisory (February 23, 2018)

[1] https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/jl2594.aspx

5) Relevant enforcement action: Civil Enforcement Information - Navigators Insurance Company (2015).