Can I just send the following items to the USA or do I need to do something else first?

Question

I don’t know much about this sort of thing but can I send;
First Aid Kits,
Laser Pointers
Smoke Bombs,
Flash Bangs,
Swiss Army Knives
& Grappling Hooks to the USA through the post, or do I need to fill out some forms or something?

Answer

The simple answer to this is no!

There will be a number of restrictions on your sending many of these products overseas, regardless of whether you send them by post or another means.

1) Carrier restrictions: For example, Parcelforce (the Post Office’s international parcels division) specifically prohibits the shipment of any arms and ammunition, and firearms including: imitations and antiques; paint-ball or toy guns; taser guns; air rifles, air pistols, components of firearms and all other items similar to, or resembling the foregoing are prohibited. They also prohibit the shipment of any explosives (even Christmas Crackers etc), any products containing gases.

Other carriers may allow the transport of some of these substances, but there will be restrictions on their carriage, especially where they are considered as dangerous goods (such as explosives, compressed gases, flammable liqueds, solids or gases etc.)

2) Export restrictions: There are restrictions on the export from the UK of many items, including many weapon or military type products. Exportation (whether to a business client or a private individual) is only possible after obtaining an export licence. Export licences are obtained from a divison of the Department of Business, Innovation & Skills, called the Export control Office. You can contact the BIS ECO Helpline on 020 7215 4594 or by email on [email protected] .

3) Finally, there may be restrictions on importation of many of the products you mention, either at a national level, or within specific states of the USA. If goods are refused import customs clearance in the UK they may be returned to you or disposed of at your expense, possibly leading to further consequences.

Hope this gives you some food for thought.

Answer

Please see the following link which might be helpful.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/prohibited_restricted.xml

Kind regards

Donna

Answer

You can contact our sister company Excel Ocean Services who specialise in USA and Canada.
e mail [email protected]
or call Lee or Jessica on 01708 504444

Kind regards

Dave Eales
Excel Shipping Limited
Tel 01708 515151

Export Action Plan