The CAN-SPAM Act is a federal law enacted in the United States in 2003, officially titled the 'Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act,' which primarily regulates the sending of commercial emails. In foreign trade, when companies send marketing emails, development letters, or newsletters to U.S. customers, they must comply with this law: including not using false or misleading headers, providing a valid physical address, clearly labeling advertising nature, and offering recipients an opt-out option with unsubscribe requests taking effect within 10 days. Common use cases include EDM marketing, customer follow-up emails, and trade show invitations. Note: Violations can result in hefty fines (up to approximately $50,000 per email), and individual states may have stricter laws. Unlike the EU's GDPR, CAN-SPAM uses an 'opt-out' mechanism, whereas GDPR requires prior consent. Foreign trade practitioners must ensure email lists are legally sourced, unsubscribe links are functional, and avoid compliance issues affecting business.
📝 Examples
1. When sending product promotion emails to U.S. customers, we must include our company address and an unsubscribe link at the bottom of the email to comply with the CAN-SPAM Act requirements. (Note: Emphasizes compliance elements to avoid legal risks.)
2. Due to failure to promptly handle a customer's unsubscribe request, the company was accused of violating the CAN-SPAM Act and ultimately paid a high settlement. (Note: Demonstrates consequences of violations, warning about timeliness of operations.)
💡 Foreign Trade Tips
Foreign trade terms are the foundation of international business communication
Trade practices may vary slightly by country; pay attention when using them
When using terms in contracts, specify the applicable version (e.g., Incoterms 2020)
For unfamiliar terms, use GlobalSync's multilingual email helper to confirm with your partner