Does price of gun grips affect ability to import/export?

[Slono]

I was looking on eBay for a nice set of RS grips for my 1911 and I came across a retailer that had some really nice grips that I wanted to buy. The only problem was that he does not ship internationally because he claims they will be seized at the boarder. I read his eBay FAQ and found the answer to why he does not ship internationally...

"Will you ship your gun grips outside the USA?

No. I apologize to my international customers, but because of the price my gun grips sell for, the pieces are classified as gun parts and are seized at the border by customs. If I try and send these grips to you in another country, they will not arrive. Sorry."

This doesn't make sense to me. These grips would cost around $100 CDN. I've bought RS grips from other sources in the states for about $65 and they were delivered fine.

Does price make a difference in whether or not the 1911 grips (grip panels) will be seized at the border? I feel like telling this guy that it should be fine, but I don't know much about importing laws for Canada and/or exporting laws for the States.

[Styrak]

Shouldn't make any difference at all.

I call BS and shenanigans. He probably just doesn't want to ship outside the US.

[Chingyul]

Agreed.
My gunner grips came in fine. Was marked as such on the package too.

[Schlyder]

I think there is a $100. limit on gun part orders from the States.

[Slono]

Interesting. Here's the inquiry I sent to the retailer.

"Hi there! First off I'd like to say you have AMAZING grips. They're absolutely gorgeous and I cannot find any other grip panels like the ones you have for sale. I would like to buy this pair from you, but I live in Canada. I know you stated that you would not ship internationally, BUT, I have bought real grips online from the States as recent as 4 months ago and I have received every single pair I have ever ordered. Though I am unfamiliar with the US exporting laws, you claim that it is because your items are too expensive that they will be confiscated at the border. What if you lowered the item price, by "X" amount and charged that "X" amount as a shipping cost? Theoretically speaking that should work, and I don't see any problems arising."

==

His reply:

"The problem is really that they never arrive. Now, I don't know if there is a legitimate border problem or if they end up in some mountie's personal locker, but the fact is that every time I try, they never arrive. I will consider shipping these to you via USPS Express Mail ($29.99). I know this is expensive, but it is the only class of mail that is tracked internationally every step of the way and requires a signature at delivery. Any other delivery method and you could tell ebay you didn't get it, I can't prove you got it (or track it to see if you did or not) and I am out the money. I hope you understand."

==
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Has anybody else ever had this problem with grip panels?

[Drake]

I've ordered all kinds of grips and other bona fide firearms parts from the US and never had any problem. As long as it's not restricted it should be fine.

Have him send it via USPS Priority Mail International Parcel: it has a tracking number and its cheap.

Once the package reaches Canada you can use the tracking number on Canada Post's site to see what's going on.

[DB19]

Originally Posted by Schlyder

I think there is a $100. limit on gun part orders from the States.

Correct.


Basic firearm parts worth over $100 need a US export permit, otherwise it will be seized by the US side.

[Slono]

Originally Posted by Drake

I've ordered all kinds of grips and other bona fide firearms parts from the US and never had any problem. As long as it's not restricted it should be fine.

Have him send it via USPS Priority Mail International Parcel: it has a tracking number and its cheap.

Once the package reaches Canada you can use the tracking number on Canada Post's site to see what's going on.

Thanks. I"ll talk to him and see what's happening.

[ILLusion]

Originally Posted by Slono

I was looking on eBay for a nice set of RS grips for my 1911 and I came across a retailer that had some really nice grips that I wanted to buy. The only problem was that he does not ship internationally because he claims they will be seized at the boarder. I read his eBay FAQ and found the answer to why he does not ship internationally...

"Will you ship your gun grips outside the USA?

No. I apologize to my international customers, but because of the price my gun grips sell for, the pieces are classified as gun parts and are seized at the border by customs. If I try and send these grips to you in another country, they will not arrive. Sorry."

This doesn't make sense to me. These grips would cost around $100 CDN. I've bought RS grips from other sources in the states for about $65 and they were delivered fine.

Does price make a difference in whether or not the 1911 grips (grip panels) will be seized at the border? I feel like telling this guy that it should be fine, but I don't know much about importing laws for Canada and/or exporting laws for the States.

It may be a US border controlled export issue - it has nothing to do with importation through the Canadian border.

[Oborous]

Originally Posted by Schlyder

I think there is a $100. limit on gun part orders from the States.

Originally Posted by DB19

Correct.


Basic firearm parts worth over $100 need a US export permit, otherwise it will be seized by the US side.

There is no minimum for ITAR Export restrictions for the US, however Brownells just has the $100 threshold, which many places follow; ITAR, CFR, USML, DOS-DTAC do not ever list a threshold (if you have any documentation on this from a -government- site, please PM me, oh god that would make my life easier).

Technically anything firearms related falls under USML, but so do Anti-gravity suits (listed seperately from aircraft G-suits) and plasma weapons, but that's legislation for you.


But, as to the OP's question, I agree that this is BS. There ~isn't import restrictions on firearms parts (I found out there are restrictions, but even my CBSA contacts didn't know about them and didn't enforce them; they just enforce 'firearms' (i.e. serialized recievers); I couldn't find anything refuteing the import requirements though). And, if anything is seized, you're supposed to be notified of that fact.

Oborous