EXTRANCHECK: POST SHIPMENT VERIFICATION: FINTEX PTE LTD

UNCLAS HONG KONG 002225 SIPDIS USDOC FOR 532/OEA/MNICKSON-DORSEY/LLAUCIUS USDOC FOR 3132 FOR FCS/OIO REGIONAL DIRECTOR WILLIAM ZARIT BICE FOR OFFICE OF STRATEGIC INVESTIGATIONS SINGAPORE FOR FCS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: BMGT BEXP ETRD ETTC HK SUBJECT: EXTRANCHECK: POST SHIPMENT VERIFICATION: FINTEX PTE LTD REF: A) USDOC 05089 B) USDOC 05088 1.Unauthorized disclosure of the information provided below is prohibited by Section 12C of the Export Administration Act. ¶2. As per reftel A request and at the direction of the Office of Enforcement Analysis (OEA) of the USDOC Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS),Regional Export Control Officer Philip Ankel (ECO) conducted two post shipment verifications (PSVs) at Fintex Industries Pte Ltd., No. 24 Changi South St. 1, Singapore (Fintex). Three items were the subject of the checks. The first two items (the subject of the first PSV) were two Rieve bench ovens exported on or about March 24, 2007 and valued at USD 19,036. The third item (the subject of the second PSV) was a Solair 3100-C portable particle counter exported on or about April 12, 2007 and valued at USD 10,283. The items were not classified for export control purposes when they were exported although the exporters indicated that these items could be exported NLR (no license required). The exporter for the first two items was the Rieve Corporation of Round Lake, Illinois while the exporter for the third item was Lighthouse Worldwide Solutions of Medford Oregon. ¶3. According to the Singapore Companies Registry, Fintex has been in existence since 1991. Its paid-up share capital is the Singapore equivalent of approximately USD 160,000. Singapore nationals Wong Bin Fatt (49 percent shareholder),Ms. Wong Hua Li (49% shareholder) and Quek King Seng and Wong Guek Ling are listed as directors. More information is located at the company's web site (www.Fintex.com.sg). ¶4. On June 21, 2007, the ECO met with Mr. Alex Wong B.H., Managing Director of Fintex and Ms. Ivy Goh, Q.A. Engineer. According to Mr. Wong, in 1995, Fintex became involved in the cleaning and recycling of components used in the semiconductor production process (including Disk carriers, Sputtering systems-shields, platters, shutters, chambers, planetaries etc.). The particle counter is used in this aspect of the company's business to ensure that the components are free of dust particles and other trace particles/metals after they have been cleaned. The ovens are likewise used in the cleaning and refurbishment of sputtering systems shields. ¶5. The ECO inspected the particle counters and the ovens and toured the Fintex premises. The facility appeared consistent with the use of the items. ¶6. At the time visited, Fintex appeared to be a suitable recipient of the commodities shipped since Fintex cooperated with these PSVs, provided the ECO with access to the items and operates a line of business consistent with the use of the items. The ECO recommends that these PSVs be classified as Favorable.