EXTRANCHECK: PRE-LICENSE CHECK: WORLD HUNTING

UNCLAS MOSCOW 000667

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

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

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BEXP ETRD ETTC RS
SUBJECT: EXTRANCHECK: PRE-LICENSE CHECK: WORLD HUNTING
TECHNOLOGY LTD, ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA, LICENSE NO.
D368100

REFTEL: USDOC 06725



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, World
Hunting Technology Ltd., St. Petersburg, Russia. The
company is listed on BIS license application D368100
as the ultimate consignee of Accushots 30 mm tube
side-wheel adjustable turret (SWAT) range estimating
a.o. scope w/illuminated mil-dot reticle, multi
emerald lens coating, lockable and resetable
windage/elevation target knobs, flip-open lens cover
and sun shade, 5th gen ts platforms 3-9X40 full size
mil-dot scope with sapphire lens coating, zero
lockable/zero resettable target knobs - flip-open lens
cover, adjusted 100 yards, 4X32 full size sporting
type scope complete with scope riQs. These items are
controlled for foreign policy reasons under ECCN
OA987. The licensee is Leapers, Inc., 32700 Capitol
st., Livonia, MI 48150.


3. On January 31, 2007, Export Control Attache Donald
Pearce and FSN Natalya Shipitsina conducted the
requested pre-license check at the offices of World
Hunting Technology Ltd. (WHT),61, Vyborgskaya Nab,
St. Petersburg, Russia. The export control team met
with Yury Alexeev, General Director.


4. WHT was founded in 2001 with three employees as a
wholesale distributor of hunting supplies. The
company now employs nine and specializes in imports of
hunting and outdoors supplies from the United States
and Europe for the Russian market. WHT maintains
exclusive distribution agreements with hunting
equipment manufacturers such as Calis Optics
(Austria),Fox (USA),Stearns Clothing (USA),Nielsen
& Kellerman Weather Systems (USA). The company has
its offices and warehouse at a commercial office and
retail complex in St. Petersburg. WHT has agreements
with over 160 licensed firearms dealers located
throughout Russia, and does not export.


5. WHT has recently contracted with exporter Leapers
to supply a variety of optics for use in hunting and
target shooting. A type of target shooting called
"Field Target" has become very popular with Russian
gun enthusiasts. Field Targets are metal silhouettes
that represent game animals, and allow hunters to
simulate hunting conditions. The majority of the
order in reftel will be sold to two Field Target
Clubs, located in St. Petersburg and Moscow. The
remainder of the scopes will be sold to firearms
dealers for sale to hunters and sport shooters.


6. The items in reftel will be stored in a locked
warehouse at the company facilities until transferred
to the retail distributor. The facilities are guarded
at all times, and are protected by a redundant
electronic security system with remote notification to
company officers. Sales of firearms and related
equipment are controlled by the GOR, and retailers are
required to meet strict security regulations regarding
storage and inventory control. Sales for export are
prohibited without proper permits from the GOR.


7. Recommendations: Post recommends World Hunting
Technology Ltd., St. Petersburg, Russia, as reliable
recipients of sensitive U.S. origin commodities. It is
Qquested 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