Sad news from Springfield Sporters

[RJW NZ]

This is now on their site, Its been about 6 weeks since I was there, so it could be brand new, or less so.
Is there someone around who can ask if this is likely to be temporary or longer? They don't really answer emails very well.
I'm sure we're all aware of the federal trouble that can pour down on someones head, I really really hope its not whats happening, I like them as folks too much.

'Notice:

Until further notice we will not be shipping any international orders, Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.'

[Edward Horton]

Its not what you think RJW NZ, the problem was Springfield Sporters was loosing so much shipping parts to you they were going in the red.

Do you have any idea how much it cost to send mail by Hobbit and protect them from Orcs?

[Son]

While I don't know for sure about SS, there are a couple of places I had gotten accessories from (a bipod and mounts etc...) not really firearm parts, that no longer export anything firearm related due to the new laws in place to "curb the flow of weapons to terrorists".
I don't know any more than that statement from one site... Here in Aus we hadn't been able to import actual parts for quite a while without all the correct (pain in the backside) documentation anyway.

Somebody from the US got some details on this?

[RJW NZ]

I'm used to the $100 export requirements from the US feds, and based on my buying habits which are probably pretty typical of most hobbyist restorers, ie small time, sporadic buyers, I would have thought we'd be under the radar pretty well. Perhaps the feds have a bulk cap on monthly exports that requires permit processes that applies to the exporter, over and above the $100 per delivery that applies to the buyer.
I do wish someone would point out that 100 year old rifles have been superceded by a few other more serious weapons since then.

Somehow the idea of Helms Deep being defended on horseback by enfields seems entirely appropriate, lol

[villiers]

They didn´t send my last order a few months back. Didn´t even answer, so it might just be true.

[dastier]

Things are getting tough for exporting gun parts to Canada too.

There has always been a bit of trouble with what the U.S. State Department allows to be exported. I tried to buy an aftermarket scope mount for my P17 from Brownel's years ago. Everything but the mount was shipped.

Now its getting worse. What I hear is that The U.S. State Department has made the paperwork horrendous for US companies to export so they don't want to be bothered or can't afford the added expense. And the U.S. DoS is making more milspec equipment prohibited for export.

[Brian Dick]

The $100 limit still applies as far as I know. Barrels, breech blocks, bolts, and receivers are not exportable without a DSP5 Export license from the Office of Defense Trade Control, US DOS. They aren't importable to the USA at all as of July 2005. An aftermarket scope mount isn't regulated for import or export to/from the USA so I don't know what went wrong there. Telescopes must be exported on a DSP5 for military types and a Department of Commerce Snap-R export license for commercial types including red dot sights. Certain scopes like the ACOG and other close combat and long range sniper scopes are not exportable at all unless they are going to a police or military end user. The fine for violating these rules here in the USA is $1,000,000.00 per violation. That's enough to make many companies prefer not to bother. The yearly ODTC registration is also VERY expensive. The U.S Dept. of Commerce Snap-R registration is free for the doing. Both ODTC, Dept of Commerce, and BATFE Imports Branch for that matter have been trying to do good/efficient work for the past few years so you can dispell the rumours of conspiracy or politics being involved. I work with these folks on a weekly basis, have been to the conferences and my examiners and the Chiefs are very good people trying to do a big job with small resources. Brian

[Peter Laidler]

I don't know the technical ins and outs of all of this but we still bring in some 'parts' on an 'as needed' basis. Maybe, if it's just component parts you need, then you cultivate a US citizen who will accept the paid-for goods in the US and ship them out, properly declared of course. There's a bit of extra postage but what the heck..................

[Brian Dick]

Small items/accessories and replacement parts that aren't listed as above are no problem providing they're worth less than $100. I'd guess many folks are just too wary in these uneasy times or don't want to do the extra paperwork at the Post Office to send small packages overseas.

[RJW NZ]

The small package hassle at the PO applies right across the board, not just enfield parts. I recently had a hell of a job getting text books and DVD's to be sent to NZ from amazon sellers. Considering its free money and we're in a recession ish, that must be one heck of a hassle at the post office, is the customs form or the waiting line a mile long or something?