Thread: Crazy US shipping regulations

I have had a few annoying cases over the years, where a US retailer wouldn't ship something to NZ. But this recent one is the most head scratching.

Wanting to buy a few gun things and been looking at different US sites, among these this is some ear plugs, a Harris S Pod lock and some Burris Zee ring inserts.
Found all the things I wanted on two websites, Natchez and Brownells. Sent an email to both sites to see if all items I wanted were available, pretty normal thus far.

The two responses I got were:
Brownells: Yes all available, but the Burris inserts cannot be shipped from the US, the Pod lock is ok.
Natchez: Yes all available, Pod lock is restricted from export but the inserts are ok.

Now I have heard before that bipods are restricted, but didn't expect the pod lock to be, yet Brownells will ship a whole Harris but also said the ear plugs were restricted!

Not really a complaint against either store, but more that it seems every single online retailer seems to have different things restricted, to the point where I think the US regulators make up a different rule everyday just to keep their lives interesting.

Most of the optics gear from Brownells is not for export. Rings, scopes etc.

so many companies are terrified of the ITAR rules , they would rather just say no to everything

It's reasonable to be scared of ITAR as it can be interpreted to cover fuck near anything and it carries pretty severe penalties

Originally Posted by dogmatix

Most of the optics gear from Brownells is not for export. Rings, scopes etc.

Which seems crazy, as I always found that optics and rings were the items most places would ship.
One would think a magazine or gun part would be more difficult to ship than optics.
Very peculiar.

Originally Posted by stumpy

so many companies are terrified of the ITAR rules , they would rather just say no to everything

Certainly understandable, I am surprised at how many companies do ship internationally.
Considering how big the US market is and how little I imagine they would make for the added effort I'm amazed they bother.

Some companies have contractual agreements that some retailers won't export their products.

Originally Posted by stumpy

so many companies are terrified of the ITAR rules , they would rather just say no to everything

exactly, a lot of the manufactures will not allow their products shipped overseas unless through an authorised retailer. and the retailers over there wont take the risk of getting in the shit, so put a blanket ban on all gun/optics parts.

Some of the policy's have more to do with their suppliers than the export laws. Most manufacturers supply to different distribution outlets in different area. Brownells as the area of the US. To sell outside that means they are encroaching on another suppliers customers. Most of the scope manufacturers have agents in NZ that import in bulk. If Brownells supplys another agents domain they could lose the ability to source the product from the manufacturer. They wont risk supply for the larger area they have, for a few small sales outside that area.

Curse the Asia Pacific distribution chain.

Midway USA would not ship 50 unprimed 25-20wcf cases due to the ITAR rules.

However I can see their point ,

USA, or any other country for that matter, could easily fall to it's knees if it was confrounted with an attacker equiped with a Winchester 92 and a handful of reloaded 25-20wcf cartridges.

Cheers
Pete

Originally Posted by P38

Midway USA would not ship 50 unprimed 25-20wcf cases due to the ITAR rules.

However I can see their point ,

USA, or any other country for that matter, could easily fall to it's knees if it was confrounted with an attacker equiped with a Winchester 92 and a handful of reloaded 25-20wcf cartridges.

Cheers
Pete

To my knowledge and someone will correct me if otherwise, f...n Midway have never sold to us rank and file riff raff. You need to establish an account with them and spend large dollars. Gave up on them years ago.

PS Pete - getting ready to finally give my 32-20 a blast.

Correct

Originally Posted by timattalon

Some of the policy's have more to do with their suppliers than the export laws. Most manufacturers supply to different distribution outlets in different area. Brownells as the area of the US. To sell outside that means they are encroaching on another suppliers customers. Most of the scope manufacturers have agents in NZ that import in bulk. If Brownells supplys another agents domain they could lose the ability to source the product from the manufacturer. They wont risk supply for the larger area they have, for a few small sales outside that area.

That too makes sense. BUT!!!!!
Just read on Natchez website they are restricted from selling Vortex scopes internationally by Vortex, yet I know other companies ship them no problems.

A bit of consistency would be nice, lol.

Originally Posted by zimmer

To my knowledge and someone will correct me if otherwise, f...n Midway have never sold to us rank and file riff raff. You need to establish an account with them and spend large dollars. Gave up on them years ago.

PS Pete - getting ready to finally give my 32-20 a blast.

@zimmer

Brace yourself Mate .................... I predict a new addiction is about consume your entire waking moments.

Let us know how you get on.

Cheers
Pete