If any of you sell items on EBay, please remember there are other countries in the world other than America and the UK. I'm fed up not being able to bid because the seller only sells within his own country. Its no more difficult to post to Europe than it is to post within your own country.
Actually, it is more difficult. At least that has been my experience, with anything other than a letter.
Rich
I have shipped internationally, but it is a hassle for the 'little guy'. Ebay shipping calculators are often wrong leaving the seller short changed. Then you must review the list of restricted items to make sure you are not breaking any laws. I always have to visit a post office to make sure customs forms are properly filled out. I resorted to padding the shipping calculations by at least 20% to cover unforeseen expenses.
Ya, what they said and, it's not just a cost issue, it's a legal importation issue. I sent a scope to the Netherlands for a friend and it was confiscated as "gun parts". Friend never got the scope and I "threw away" what was a nice accessory that I could have sold in the states.
Sorry, but the EU and UK are on the far end of left when it comes to anything remotely considered to be related to guns. Fortunately, we still have private property rights and a second amendment in the states where 12 ft lbs muzzle velocity is where you begin to modify your airgun up to 30, 40 or 100 ft lbs if you wish to :D :-*
Most times if you ask the seller (by message) they will accommodate you.
I sell from time to time with shipping to the the USA only. If I get a message from someone asking "can you ship to Israeli" I have to think about it...most times the answer is no. If it was asked properly I'd take more time considering it. Better to ask with a few more words in there if you know what I mean.
If there's parts or items that you want perhaps a member of the forum will step up and get it for you, then send. I like hooking up my UK buddies :-*
Mel, Chongman is correct about sending a PM. That has worked for me before. About ten years ago, I also had a visit from an ATF agent about a pistol barrel I bought from Germany. He scared the heck out of me. I broke the rules, but was not charged. It is very difficult to understand the rules in the US, let alone another country! ???
depending on whats being sold i'll ship anywhere its just some stuff can only be sold within the country and most folks don't want the so-called hassle of filling out a simple custom's form
I shipped more crosman parts out of the country than within ;)
now days the hassle for me is getting to the post office its a physical thing or else its not a problem
I agree with the shipping cost issue let alone the legal aspect. I've paid more in shipping than I made a couple times. Being on the east coast and shipping to the west coast is costly is some instances, although I thought I had myself covered. I'm all about free trade but customs gets a little too carrried away sometimes and the little guy can't afford to take a chance.
shipping bit into my sales a couple times now I carge a flat rate for shipping on ebay so I break even by the time ebay/paypal and usps their cut
Quote from: arkmaker on March 16, 2013, 04:04:34 PM
Actually, it is more difficult. At least that has been my experience, with anything other than a letter.
Rich
In what way? It may be if you've put on the declaration that its a gun part.
Quote from: breakfastchef on March 16, 2013, 04:56:21 PM
I have shipped internationally, but it is a hassle for the 'little guy'. Ebay shipping calculators are often wrong leaving the seller short changed. Then you must review the list of restricted items to make sure you are not breaking any laws. I always have to visit a post office to make sure customs forms are properly filled out. I resorted to padding the shipping calculations by at least 20% to cover unforeseen expenses.
Postage from America is prohibitive on most things as its gone up to ridiculous prices, but UK sellers could have a market.
Quote from: BDS on March 16, 2013, 05:06:34 PM
Ya, what they said and, it's not just a cost issue, it's a legal importation issue. I sent a scope to the Netherlands for a friend and it was confiscated as "gun parts". Friend never got the scope and I "threw away" what was a nice accessory that I could have sold in the states.
Sorry, but the EU and UK are on the far end of left when it comes to anything remotely considered to be related to guns. Fortunately, we still have private property rights and a second amendment in the states where 12 ft lbs muzzle velocity is where you begin to modify your airgun up to 30, 40 or 100 ft lbs if you wish to :D :-*
If you were to just put on the customs form, something like,metal valve or spring or something without the word gun would that work? We are allowed 18ft/lb here but I'd like to know how to modify to higher velocities.
Quote from: chongman on March 16, 2013, 07:03:49 PM
Most times if you ask the seller (by message) they will accommodate you.
I sell from time to time with shipping to the the USA only. If I get a message from someone asking "can you ship to Israeli" I have to think about it...most times the answer is no. If it was asked properly I'd take more time considering it. Better to ask with a few more words in there if you know what I mean.
If there's parts or items that you want perhaps a member of the forum will step up and get it for you, then send. I like hooking up my UK buddies :-*
Nothing I'm after right now but I look through from time to time and think, I could do with that, but its always "May not post to Spain."
Quote from: Pikie on March 16, 2013, 07:23:47 PM
Mel, Chongman is correct about sending a PM. That has worked for me before. About ten years ago, I also had a visit from an ATF agent about a pistol barrel I bought from Germany. He scared the heck out of me. I broke the rules, but was not charged. It is very difficult to understand the rules in the US, let alone another country! ???
Yes, I take your point, but the barrel would have been best described as a metal tube or something? The rules here are that you must register an airgun with the town hall. I did my first one, but it seemed obvious that not many people did and as they charge you €30 for each gun.....
Thanks for all your responses. The main problem seems to be from the US, but postage from there is really high now. I used to buy lots of things from America until the postage shot up.
I have sent stuff to other countries, two times customs decided to take the items and it turned into a big problem with the buyer so i don't bother any more.
I've sent a dozen items or more to the UK and other countries and never had a single problem. So my experience is positively good. I like doing what I can for our brothers across the sea.
Carl
Quote from: Mel1721L on March 17, 2013, 10:36:33 AM
If you were to just put on the customs form, something like,metal valve or spring or something without the word gun would that work? We are allowed 18ft/lb here but I'd like to know how to modify to higher velocities.
Should I write in that un-true statement on the line below the form sentence that reads "i declare this to be truthful"?
The scope i sent was declared as a "hobby accessory" which was truthful but a stretch. Doesn't matter, X-ray machines tell all.
Quote from: quickster47 on March 17, 2013, 01:25:20 PM
I've sent a dozen items or more to the UK and other countries and never had a single problem. So my experience is positively good. I like doing what I can for our brothers across the sea.
Carl
same here
i have sent a lot of things to the UK
when i was in shipping i was told to be as vague as possible on the customs forms
an item such as a breech if its a steel breech i list it as steel, if its aluminum then list it as aluminum
that's it nothing more
we shipped plastic displays at the place i worked and the only thing i put on it is plastic
i get a lot of stuff from the UK ,EU ans China its the same way
Quote from: quickster47 on March 17, 2013, 01:25:20 PM
I've sent a dozen items or more to the UK and other countries and never had a single problem. So my experience is positively good. I like doing what I can for our brothers across the sea.
Carl
But was it a Ebay item i think that's what he is talking about, The Ebay sellers. I have sent stuff to members too without problems.
Mike
Quote from: Crosshairs on March 18, 2013, 01:19:10 PM
But was it a Ebay item i think that's what he is talking about, The Ebay sellers. I have sent stuff to members too without problems.
Mike
Using US Customs, shipping an item the same whether it is an eBay item or not. I worked with US Customs for two years and I can tell you that US Customs could care less if it is from eBay or from an individual. They do not discriminate.
Carl
Quote from: Mel1721L on March 16, 2013, 03:35:19 PM
If any of you sell items on EBay, please remember there are other countries in the world other than America and the UK. I'm fed up not being able to bid because the seller only sells within his own country. Its no more difficult to post to Europe than it is to post within your own country.
I just answered the question he asked as why some don't ship outside the U.S.A. i had problems doing so.I know Ebay has nothing to do with what customs cares about. But some of my stuff that i sold on Ebay never made past them.
Well I bring more gun parts than most people into the UK. Main thing to do is not ask someone in the States or anywhere else to ship you something that is illegal in the first place. As Michael says above, asking the seller in a proper manner certainly helps. If the seller is not comfortable shipping overseas then it is no biggie, that is their right. Best to make contacts in the States who will help you out from time to time when you get this problem.
It is quite legal to ship almost all air gun parts to the UK from overseas, in fact all pistols and rifles are fine too if they shoot under UK limits (note to self: read that instruction ala DAQ 2540) Shame the same parts cannot be posted within the UK via an authorized dealer ??
I always make it quite clear to any overseas seller that if the item/s go missing for whatever reason I will always take the hit, only ever had to do it once mind, everything else has arrived without issue and there has been quite a lot of items. If they don't take paypal I do a money order or send cash. Depends how bad you want the parts really.
I have now found a way to ship the complete guns over to you guys in the States (Not PCP ones though) so if I can help any of my buds let me know.