UK chemicals company fined £7k for violating export controls

A Leicestershire-based company, VWR International Ltd, has been fined a total of £7,039 at City of London Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to 4 counts of exporting goods contrary to a prohibition or restriction. Specifically, VWR illegally shipped 4 consignments of controlled chemicals and metal to foreign jurisdictions without the required export licence. VWR shipped the first consignment days after being denied the necessary licence, and failed to apply for the required licence in relation to the other three consignments. The case was investigated and prosecuted on behalf of HMRC.