Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10HONGKONG235
2010-02-09 00:04:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Hong Kong
Cable title:  

EXTRANCHECK: POST SHIPMENT VERIFICATION: CHINA OCEAN

Tags:  BMGT BEXP HK ETRD ETTC 
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VZCZCXYZ0004
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHHK #0235 0400004
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 090004Z FEB 10
FM AMCONSUL HONG KONG
TO RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC
INFO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9585
RHMFIUU/HQ BICE WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS HONG KONG 000235 

USDOC FOR 532/OEA/ MCANNER
USDOC FOR 3132 FOR FCS/OIO REGIONAL DIRECTOR PATRICK SANTILLO
BICE FOR OFFICE OF STRATEGIC INVESTIGATIONS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BMGT BEXP HK ETRD ETTC
SUBJECT: EXTRANCHECK: POST SHIPMENT VERIFICATION: CHINA OCEAN
OILFIELD SERVICES (HK) LTD

REF: A) BIS e-mail request dated December 28, 2009 (01210102)

UNCLAS HONG KONG 000235

USDOC FOR 532/OEA/ MCANNER
USDOC FOR 3132 FOR FCS/OIO REGIONAL DIRECTOR PATRICK SANTILLO
BICE FOR OFFICE OF STRATEGIC INVESTIGATIONS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BMGT BEXP HK ETRD ETTC
SUBJECT: EXTRANCHECK: POST SHIPMENT VERIFICATION: CHINA OCEAN
OILFIELD SERVICES (HK) LTD

REF: A) BIS e-mail request dated December 28, 2009 (01210102)


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),Export Control Officer Philip Ankel (ECO) conducted
a post shipment verification (PSV) at China Ocean Oilfields Services
(HK) Ltd (China Ocean Services). The item in question for this PSV
is an underwater robotic arm system exported to China Ocean Services
on or about February 25, 2009. According to information provided by
OEA, this system is likely classified under Export Control
Classification Number 8A002.i.2, meaning that it can be shipped
license free to Hong Kong but would, in virtually all circumstances,
require a license for export to mainland China. The exporter was
Shilling Robotics of Davis, California.


3. According to the Hong Kong Companies Registry, China Ocean
Services has been in existence since 1982. Its paid up share
capital is the Hong Kong equivalent of approximately USD 60 million.
The Hong Kong Companies Registry lists multiple mainland Chinese
nationals as directors.


4. According to the company's web site, China National Offshore Oil
Corporation (www.cnooc.com.cn) is the largest offshore oil and gas
producer in China. It is the parent organization of China Ocean
Services.


5. On January 11, 2010, ECO and FCS Commercial Assistant Carrie
Chan visited the company at the address noted above and met with Mr.
Fu, Shuang Xi, Manager, BGCC Department. Mr. Fu stated that the
company is a freight forwarder that serves its parent company in
Mainland China.


6. As to the specific shipment in question, Mr. Fu provided
information only about a subsequent shipment from Shilling Robotics.
However, he called China Offshore Fugro Geosolutions (Shenzhen) Co.
Ltd. (the customer listed on the Shilling documents provided by
OEA). That office provided documentation confirming that the item
in question had been received by Fugro in Shenzhen using the
services of another freight forwarder. According to Mr. Fu, China
Ocean Services does not typically apply for export licenses in Hong
Kong. He stated that China Ocean Services applies for licenses when
requested by the exporter or consignee.


7. Mr. Fu was open and forthcoming during the meeting. ECO
provided additional information on export controls to Mr. Fu by
subsequent e-mail. As to the particular shipment in question, ECO
recommends an outreach be conducted at Shilling Robotics as it
appears that this item may have been shipped to mainland China in
violation of U.S. and (likely) Hong Kong law (assuming that the
commodity is properly classified as 8A002.i.2).