German industrial and engineering giant Bosch has agreed to pay a $36 million penalty for selling goods and software to banned Chinese company Huawei between 2020 and 2024. According to the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), the company sold more than $72 million worth of MEMS sensors and automotive software during this period — items that required an export license from the Department of Commerce because they contained U.S.-origin technology, software, or intellectual property. These limitations apply to Bosch’s non-U.S. subsidiaries as well, which the company said unintentionally sold the products to Huawei.
The U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) said that it’s suspending its investigation into Bosch after it disclosed its own misconduct and that it won’t prosecute the company for this offense. “This declination reflects the clear benefits for companies that promptly disclose potential violations and fully assist in our investigations,” Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg said in a statement. “Bosch’s cooperation and timely remediation met the high standards set by the Corporate Enforcement Policy, supporting a fair and efficient resolution.”
