Companies that violate U.S. export control laws — for example, by shipping restricted technology or goods overseas without the required government approval — currently face civil fines up to $300,000 per violation, or twice the value of the transaction, whichever is greater. This bill raises that maximum civil penalty to $1,200,000 per violation, or four times the value of the transaction, whichever is greater. The higher penalties would apply only to violations committed after the bill becomes law, not retroactively. The change is meant to give the government a stronger financial deterrent against companies that break export control rules covering sensitive technology, weapons components, and other controlled goods.
Corporate Benefits
- Export violation flat penalty cap — Raised from $300,000 to $1,200,000 per violation
- Export violation penalty multiplier — Raised from twice to four times the transaction value
Congressional Summary
This bill increases civil penalties for violations of U.S. export control laws. Specifically, the bill increases the maximum statutory civil penalty for each violation of any regulation, order, or license issued under the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (ECRA) to $1.2 million or four times the value of the transaction, whichever is greater. (Currently, the maximum statutory civil penalty for each violation of ECRA is $300,000 or twice the value of the transaction, whichever is greater. The Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security adjusts this maximum amount annually for inflation.)
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- Senate
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in Senate
- Action Date
- 2026-06-24
- Date Added
- 2026-07-16
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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