The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network received about 4.6 million suspicious activity reports during FY 2023, an increase from the 4.3 million it received the previous year, according to an annual report released last week. Of the 4.6 million reports filed, just 1,500 involved terrorist financing concerns, the agency said, and about 1.6 million involved suspected money laundering.

The Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network is seeking public comments on the renewal of information collection requirements that set due diligence rules for banks and others in the financial industry. The collections cover requirements under the Bank Secrecy Act, including reporting requirements for anti-money laundering programs. Comments are due Aug. 12.

The Federal Maritime Commission is considering whether to push back the effective date of a final rule it issued in February that set new demurrage and detention billing requirements (see 2402230049), it said in a notice released June 7. The commission said the Ocean Carrier Equipment Management Association asked it to extend the rule’s May 28 effective date “by at least 90 days or such longer period as may be deemed appropriate.” The FMC is accepting public comments by July 1 about whether it should delay the rule.

USDA has begun reviewing and processing export facility registration applications as part of China’s Decree 248, a recently enacted Chinese law that requires certain foreign production facilities to register with the country’s customs agency, USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service said in a report this month.

The State Department has approved two possible military sales to Taiwan, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said June 5. One sale includes $220 million worth of “F-16 Standard Spare and Repair Parts” and related equipment, and the other includes $80 million worth of the same parts and equipment. The equipment for both sales will be transferred from Air Force stock.

The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service is revising the fee schedule for official inspections and weighing of certain grain exports, the agency said in an interim final rule released June 5. The rule sets new rates for the remainder of FY 2024 “and until such time as new fees are set by a final rule,” AMS said, adding that it plans to soon publish a proposed rule “establishing a new regulatory fee formula.” The immediate changes to the current fees outlined in this interim final rule will help give the Federal Grain Inspection Service enough funding to continue its inspection services and “avoid significant negative impacts to the $54 billion grain export industry.” The rule takes effect July 8, the same day public comments are due.

The U.S., Japan and South Korea committed to working more closely on “economic security” and supply chain issues, according to a readout of a Camp David meeting between the three countries’ foreign ministers last week. The officials said they want to collaborate more on “Minerals Security Partnership projects” and are committed to “accelerating cooperation on critical and emerging technologies,” including through joint research projects.

Detention and demurrage billings appear to have returned to pre-pandemic levels after spiking during the last few years, said Jason Guthrie, an official with the Federal Maritime Commission's Bureau of Trade Analysis.

The State Department approved possible foreign military sales to Sweden and Austria, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced May 29. A $900 million sale to Sweden includes “UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters” and related equipment. A $1.05 billion sale to Austria also includes “UH-60M Blackhawk Helicopters” as well as “related elements of logistics and program support.” The principal contractor for both sales will be Lockheed Martin, Sikorsky.

The State Department approved a possible $950 million military sale to Brazil, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said May 24. The sale of UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters includes the "initial acquisition of $450 million in Major Defense Equipment," and up to $500 million in "other equipment and services." The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin, Sikorsky.