Foreign Trade Practices Act of 1983

Foreign Trade Practices Act of 1983 - Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to prohibit any U.S. person (or persons or corporate entities) from corruptly offering, paying, promising to pay, authorizing the payment of any money or of anything of value to any foreign official or any foreign political party or official thereof for purposes of influencing or inducing such foreign officials or parties to assist such U.S. person in obtaining or retaining business for or with, or directing business to, any person.

Prohibits U.S. persons from directing or authorizing, expressly or by course of conduct, a third party to influence or induce foreign officials or political parties to assist U.S. persons in obtaining or retaining business for or with, or directing business to any person. States actions which are not prohibited under this Act.

Requires the Secretary of Commerce to issue: (1) guidelines describing compliance with this Act; and (2) general precautionary procedures to ensure such compliance and to create a rebuttable presumption of compliance with this Act. Requires the Secretary to establish a procedure to provide responses to specific inquires by U.S. persons concerning compliance with this Act. States that any documents or other information received by any U.S. department or agency in connection with a compliance request or an investigation of violations of this Act shall be exempt from the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act.

Requires the Secretary to provide timely guidance to potential exporters and small businesses unable to obtain specialized counsel concerning compliance with this Act. Requires U.S. persons to devise and maintain a system of internal accounting controls to assure compliance with this Act. Sets forth requirements for such system. States the standards required for compliance with the accounting system requirements.

Sets forth penalties for violations of this Act.

Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should pursue the negotiation of an international agreement to govern persons from foreign countries concerning acts prohibited by this Act with respect to U.S. persons. Requires the President to submit a report to Congress in relation to such negotiations. Requires such report to contain specified information.