Best Sanctions & Export Controls Lawyers in Michigan

When a Michigan transaction needs sanctions or export-controls review

Michigan companies that make or ship automotive components, industrial technology, aerospace products, or defense articles may need to check export controls before sharing technical data or sending goods abroad. The rules can also apply to software, technical assistance, and certain transfers to foreign persons inside the United States.

Federal agencies administer the main requirements: the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) handles economic sanctions, the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) administers the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), and the State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls administers the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Michigan’s border with Canada and its trade through Detroit do not exempt a shipment from these rules.

A lawyer can help determine whether a product, customer, destination, or transaction requires a license or other authorization. Counsel may also advise on screening, compliance procedures, government inquiries, and responses to suspected violations.

Situations where a Michigan business may need a lawyer

• A Detroit-area manufacturer plans to send automotive parts, software, or technical drawings to a Canadian facility and needs to determine whether a license or other restriction applies.
• A defense supplier in Michigan receives a request to share controlled technical data with a foreign national, subcontractor, or overseas customer.
• An export-screening system flags a buyer, bank, freight forwarder, or other party, and the company needs to assess whether it is a genuine match before proceeding.
• A university, research lab, or technology company is arranging international collaboration, travel, or equipment transfers that could involve controlled technology.
• A company discovers a possible unlicensed export, sanctions violation, or inaccurate filing and needs advice on preserving records, stopping further transfers, and considering disclosure to an agency.

Federal laws and regulations that apply in Michigan

Sanctions and export licensing are principally governed by federal law, including in Michigan. State commercial rules or contract terms do not replace federal requirements.

• International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA): Enacted on December 28, 1977, IEEPA authorizes many U.S. sanctions programs. The specific restrictions depend on the applicable executive orders and regulations.
• Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (ECRA): Enacted on August 13, 2018, ECRA provides statutory authority for many Commerce Department export controls. BIS administers the EAR under this framework; the EAR appears in 15 CFR Parts 730-774.
• OFAC regulations, 31 CFR Chapter V: These regulations set out U.S. sanctions programs administered by OFAC. Restrictions and licensing procedures vary by program and may change, so current rules should be checked for each transaction.

Defense-related items and technical data may instead fall under ITAR, in 22 CFR Parts 120-130. Classification and licensing depend on the item and activity, not simply the company’s location or industry.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a lawyer for an export or sanctions question?

Not every routine shipment requires legal advice, but counsel can be valuable when classification, licensing, a restricted-party match, or a possible violation is unclear. A lawyer can also help establish procedures for recurring transactions.

Which agency handles my issue?

OFAC administers economic sanctions, BIS administers the EAR, and the State Department administers ITAR. The responsible agency depends on the item, transaction, and legal authority involved.

Are shipments from Michigan to Canada exempt from export controls?

No. A shipment to Canada may still require classification, screening, or authorization under U.S. rules. The fact that goods cross the Detroit-Windsor border does not itself create an exemption.

How can I tell whether a product is controlled?

Classification may depend on the product’s technical specifications, intended use, destination, and applicable control list. A lawyer can coordinate the review and assess whether an agency determination or license may be needed.

What should I do if a screening tool flags a customer?

Do not treat a possible match as confirmed without reviewing the identifying details and applicable restrictions. Pause the affected transaction when appropriate, preserve the screening records, and seek advice before releasing goods or funds.

Can a lawyer obtain an export license for my company?

A lawyer can assess whether a license or other authorization is required, help prepare an application, and advise on conditions. The relevant government agency decides whether to grant it.

How long does an export license or compliance review take?

Timing depends on the item, destination, agency, and completeness of the application. A straightforward internal review may be quicker than an agency licensing process, and no lawyer can guarantee an agency’s decision date.

How much does a sanctions or export-controls lawyer cost in Michigan?

There is no standard statewide fee. Cost depends on the work, such as a focused classification review, a license application, an internal investigation, or ongoing compliance support; ask for the billing method and scope in writing.

Can a company disclose a possible violation to the government?

Voluntary disclosure may be available under agency procedures, but whether and how to disclose depends on the facts and the agency involved. Get legal advice promptly before submitting a disclosure or making statements about the incident.

Does Michigan issue its own export licenses?

Core U.S. export licensing and sanctions rules are federal, and the applicable federal agency handles the relevant authorization. Michigan-based companies should also check contract, procurement, and other state requirements that may affect a particular transaction.

Who can seek legal advice about a company’s export issue?

A business, nonprofit, university, or individual may consult a lawyer about a transaction or possible exposure. The lawyer can explain who the client would be and whether separate representation is appropriate for the company and its employees.

Official resources

• Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS): Provides information about the EAR, export licensing, compliance, and export enforcement.
• Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC): Publishes sanctions programs, screening resources, licensing information, and guidance on sanctions compliance.
• Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC): Offers Michigan businesses international trade and export assistance; it is not a substitute for legal advice on licensing or sanctions obligations.

Steps to find and hire a Michigan lawyer

1. Identify the immediate issue. Note any shipment deadline, government inquiry, blocked payment, screening alert, or potential violation. If a transfer may be prohibited, pause it while obtaining prompt advice.
2. Gather key records. Over the next one to three days, collect product specifications, destination and end-user details, contracts, shipping documents, screening results, and relevant communications.
3. Search for relevant experience. Look for lawyers who handle U.S. sanctions and export controls, including the rules relevant to your goods, technology, industry, and destination.
4. Confirm professional standing and fit. Check that the lawyer is authorized to practice in Michigan or will work with Michigan counsel. Ask about experience with the relevant agency and any potential conflicts.
5. Compare proposed scope and fees. In an initial consultation, ask what the lawyer will review, what deliverables are included, who will do the work, and how fees and expenses are billed.
6. Agree on an action plan. Before work begins, obtain a written engagement agreement covering the client, scope, fees, deadlines, and immediate compliance steps.