Employees of U.S. Affiliate of Chinese Electronics Distribution Company Charged With Violating Export Control Laws

The Boston Business Journal reported today that the U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts has charged three employees of Chitron Electronics Inc., a Waltham, Massachusetts affiliate of China-based Chitron Electronics Co. Ltd., with conspiracy to violate U.S. export control laws.

The story states that the three were charged with making false statements on export declarations by indicating the the products were being shipped to Hong Kong, when in fact the products were destined for mainland China.

According to the company's website, Chitron Electronics Co. Ltd. is one of the largest independent distributors of electronic components in China.

UPDATE: The U.S. Attorney's office has issued a press release containing more details on this case. The release states that Chitron's "Hong Kong office was merely a transshipment point or shipping office; it was set up to act as a freight forwarder -- to receive shipments from Chitron-US and re-ship or transship them to Mainland China thereby circumventing U.S. export laws and license requirements."