Industry News

President Renews Burma Import Ban

August 3, 2009


President Obama recently signed into law a congressional resolution extending trade sanctions against Burma (Myanmar) for another year. These sanctions, contained in Sections 3(a)(1), 3A(b)(1) and 3A(c)(1) of the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act, including a ban on all products of Burma (Myanmar) that are imported directly or indirectly to the U.S. will now last through at least July 26, 2010.

Also, the resolution extended the President’s authority to review and annually renew the import ban for an additional three years. Under the ban, only merchandise for which the Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued an import license may be entered for consumption or in-transit movement through the U.S., or importations for U.S. or foreign diplomatic and consular officials.