BIS Fines Luminultra $685,051 for Unauthorized Export of Lab Equipment to Iran

The U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has levied a $685,051 civil penalty against Luminultra Technologies, Inc., the American subsidiary of the Canadian diagnostics firm, after finding the company guilty of unauthorized exports of laboratory equipment to Iran.

The enforcement order, issued on September 30, 2025, resolves charges that the firm breached the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). According to BIS, the violation took place on October 21, 2022, when Luminultra shipped three PhotonMaster luminometers and twenty-five aqueous test kits—classified under EAR99—from the United States to Fanavari Pishrafteh Jahan (FPJ), a Tehran-based company.

Investigators pointed to internal correspondence confirming that company officials were fully aware the products were destined for Iran, despite measures taken to obscure the true end user. BIS detailed how FPJ had instructed Luminultra to omit its name from official documentation, to route the shipment through ShipIt Freight Solutions in the United Arab Emirates, and to undervalue invoices for the goods.

The agency charged that Luminultra filed Electronic Export Information (EEI) records which falsely listed ShipIt as the ultimate consignee, in violation of 15 C.F.R. § 764.2(g). BIS further alleged that the company acted with knowledge of a violation under 15 C.F.R. § 764.2(e).

Under the terms of the settlement, Luminultra admitted to the misconduct and agreed to a series of compliance obligations. These include independent, annual export audits through 2026, mandatory training for all relevant employees, and submission of the audit findings directly to BIS. Additionally, the company’s export privileges have been suspended for three years, subject to probationary compliance.

The order specifies that if Luminultra fails to meet its obligations or commits future violations, it will face a full denial of export rights and possible revocation of any existing licenses. BIS confirmed that it will not pursue further administrative action arising from the 2022 transaction, provided the company fully complies with the settlement conditions.

By fLEXI tEAM