Shippers pay for U.S. export violations

The U.S. Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security said Buehler Ltd. of Lake Bluff, Ill. has agreed to pay a $200,000 civil penalty to settle allegations that it made 81 unlicensed exports of a lubricant containing Triethanolamine (TEA).

   Buehler is a global manufacturer of scientific equipment and supplies for use in materials research and analysis.

   BIS alleged that between November 2001 and July 2006, Buehler made 80 exports of a product called Coolmet, a mixture containing TEA that is used as a lubricant with cutting tools, destinations including China, Hong Kong, Thailand, India, Brazil and Israel without the required BIS licenses. Additionally, on one occasion in August 2005, the company's German affiliate re-exported Coolmet from Germany to Iran without the required U.S. government authorization. TEA is a Schedule 3 chemical precursor and is controlled for chemical/biological, antiterrorism and chemical weapons reasons.

   According to BIS, Buehler voluntarily disclosed the violations and cooperated fully in the investigation.

   Houston-based Engineering Physics Software, also known as COADE, a provider of plant design and engineering software for process industries, has agreed to pay a $130,000 civil penalty to settle allegations it exported certain software to Iran and to companies on the BIS Entity List.

   The allegations involved 16 exports of software to Iran via the United Arab Emirates, and six exports of software to Indian and Pakistani end-users listed on BIS's Entity List. The violations occurred between 2003 and 2006. The company voluntarily disclosed the violations and cooperated fully with the BIS investigation.

   In addition, veterinary supply wholesaler Syrvet agreed to pay a $250,000 civil penalty to settle allegations involving 16 unlicensed exports of electric cattle prods from the United States to Mexico, Chile, South Africa, Dominican Republic, Colombia and El Salvador in violation of the Export Administration Regulations. Cattle prods are listed on the Commerce Control List for crime control reasons.

   The Waukee, Iowa-based company and BIS have agreed to suspend $150,000 of the fine provided that no additional violations occur and payment of the remaining $100,000 is made in accordance with the agreed upon payment schedule.

   BIS controls exports and re-exports of dual use commodities, technology, and software for reasons of national security, missile technology, nuclear non-proliferation, chemical and biological weapons non-proliferation, crime control, regional stability and foreign policy.

   BIS announced the three settlements on Dec. 31.

Source: American Shipper