The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) is a federal law that prohibits U.S. citizens and entities from bribing foreign government officials to obtain or retain business:

• The FCPA makes it illegal to offer, pay, or promise anything of value to a foreign official to influence their actions
• The FCPA applies to U.S. persons, certain foreign issuers of securities, and foreign firms and persons who cause corrupt payments to take place in the United States
• The FCPA is enforced by the U.S. Department of Justice

The FCPA applies to a wide range of items, including:

• Cash, gift cards, and vouchers, Gifts, Hospitality, Meals, Goods, Services, Event tickets, Retail certificates, and Entertainment.

The FCPA can apply to activities such as:

• Working with foreign collaborators who are employed by or associated with government universities or hospitals
• Having contact with government officials
• Working on projects that require local governmental approval
• Navigating foreign country import/export requirements
• Negotiating international contracts or transactions with foreign officials