U.S. shipper fined $27,000 for antiboycott violation

U.S. shipper fined $27,000 for antiboycott violation Cooper Tools Industrial Ltda., the Brazilian subsidiary of Cooper US, Inc., has agreed to pay a $27,000 civil penalty to settle allegations that it committed 15 violations of the antiboycott provisions of the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR).
   'The Department of Commerce stands firm in its policy of opposing restrictive trade practices or boycotts against Israel, and will vigorously pursue those who violate the antiboycott regulations,' said Darryl W. Jackson, U.S. assistant secretary of commerce for export enforcement, in a statement.
   The Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security alleged that during June and July 2004 Cooper Tools furnished prohibited information about business relationships with Israel to persons in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.
   The EAR's antiboycott provisions prohibit U.S. persons from complying with certain requirements of unsanctioned foreign boycotts, including providing information about business relationships with Israel and refusing to do business with persons on boycott lists. The EAR requires that persons report the receipt of certain boycott requests to the Commerce Department.
   The Commerce Department said Cooper Tools voluntarily disclosed the transactions and fully cooperated with investigators.