EXTRANCHECK: PRE-LICENSE CHECK: CHANCE

UNCLAS MOSCOW 011260

SIPDIS

USDOC FOR 532/OEA/MHAMES/DMUSLU
USDOC FOR 3150/USFCS/OIO/CEENIS/MCOSTA
USDOC FOR 532/OEE/MO'BRIEN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BEXP ETRD ETTC RS
SUBJECT: EXTRANCHECK: PRE-LICENSE CHECK: CHANCE
2003LLC, KOSTROMA, RUSSIA, LICENSE NO. D363828

REFTEL: (a) USDOC 05125, (b) MOSCOW 006077


1. Unauthorized disclosure of the information provided
below is prohibited by Section 12C of the Export
Administration Act.


2. Reftel requested a Pre-license check to determine
the legitimacy and reliability of the end-user, Chance
2003 LLC, Kostroma, Russia. The company is listed on
BIS license application D363828 as the ultimate
consignee of 500 air pistols with red dot sight and
flashlight. These items are controlled for missile
technology reasons under ECCN EAR99. The licensee is
Crossman Corporation, Routes 5 and 20, East
Bloomfield, NY 14443.


3. On October 3, 2006, Export Control Attache Donald
Pearce and FSN Natalya Shipitsina conducted the
requested pre-license check at the offices of Chance
2003 LLC, 2, Elektrodnaya St., bld. 12-14, Moscow,
Russia. The export control team met with Anatoly
Shpatin, Commercial Director of Chance 2003, who is
also the Director of the Moscow office.


4. The company was originally founded in 1999 as a
supplier of Crossman brand air rifles. The company
has been reorganized three times since inception,
using the names Chance, Chance Plus, Chance 2003 and
Chance Kostroma. Over the last three years, Chance
has expanded to distribution of other hunting, fishing
and outdoors equipment. The company also operates 8
retail outlets in Kostroma and one in Moscow under the
brand name "Ohotnik" (hunter). The company has two new
offices, one in Kostroma and a representation office
and warehouse in Moscow. The company employs 150,
with 15 in the Moscow office, 50 in the Kostroma
headquarters, and the remainder in the retail stores.
The company headquarters moved from its original
location to the Kostroma Hotel, where they are renting
the second floor of the hotel for temporary use as
offices pending the completion of a two-story building
with warehouse space in Kostroma.


5. The company plans to sell the air pistols to
consumers in Moscow and Kostroma. Air pistols do not
require licenses or permits from the Government of
Russia, and therefore, the company is not required to
keep detailed records of buyers. The company does log
sales, but without specific customer identification.
Mr. Shpatin is aware of U.S. export controls, and does
not intend on exporting goods outside of Russia.


6. With regards to the Post-Shipment Verification
(PSV) in reftel (b),Mr. Shpatin will review the
records for the importation, which occurred in 2005.
The records are kept at the company headquarters in
Kostroma. Mr. Shpatin agreed to provide copies
indicating the disposition of the commodities.


7. Recommendations: Post will recommend Chance 2003
LLC of Kostroma and Moscow, Russia, as reliable
recipients of sensitive U.S. origin commodities, upon
receipt of documents requested in regards to Post-
Shipment Verification originally reported in reftel
(b). It is requested that post be notified of final
disposition of the application, and of any shipments
for this organization in order to conduct appropriate
FCS follow-up and statistical reporting.
(FCS MOSCOW/SBOZEK/DPEARCE)
BURNS