On August 17, BIS announced that Lawrence Scibetta of Port St. Lucie, Florida, has agreed to pay a $30,000 civil penalty and be subject to a 20-year denial of export privileges. BIS’s press release indicated that the items which Scibetta attempted to export in violation of the EAR were “two Raytheon thermal imaging cameras.” Neither the press release nor the charging letter revealed the models involved. The cameras were destined for shipment to the United Arab Emirates.

Thermal imaging cameras that meet the technical specifications described in ECCN 6A003.b.4 and ECCN 6A002.a.3.f may require licenses for export to certain destinations. Export-controlled thermal imaging cameras are available from many retailers, not all of whom are aware of, or advise their customers of, export restrictions. Mr. Scibetta, however, had been advised that the cameras involved required an export license.

In addition to the attempted export violation, the charging letter also alleged that Mr. Scibetta violated BIS’s regulations by (a) buying the cameras with an intent to export them; (b) possessing the cameras with an intent to export them; and (c) stating in an affidavit to BIS that he was unaware that the cameras required an export license.