Lab Equipment Distributor Fined $140K for Failing to File Export Information

Laboratory equipment distributor Intertech Trading Corp. was sentenced on Oct. 17 to pay a total fine of $140,000 for failing to file export information on shipments to Russia and Ukraine, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Hampshire announced. Intertech was ordered to pay the maximum fine of $10,000 per count for 14 counts of failure to file the export information required.

From 2015 to 2019, Intertech shipped lab equipment to Russia, Ukraine and other countries, falsely describing the nature and value of the goods on commercial invoices and shipping forms, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. The company entered into a plea agreement, admitting it was using false descriptions such as "lamp for aquarium" or "spares for welding system" instead of accurately identifying the scientific equipment contained in the shipments. Intertech said it also "drastically undervalued" the exports, illegally skirting the requirement to file Electronic Export Information.

“Evasion of export control requirements is a serious felony and undermines the government’s ability to ensure that sensitive equipment does not end up in the wrong hands,” U.S. Attorney Jane Young said. “Our office works closely with our law enforcement partners to detect, deter, and punish companies and individuals that violate export control laws.”