Exporting steel cannon shell links from US of A

[Rrickoshae]

Does anyone have any experience of exporting steel links from the US? Obviously ordnance items are a no no but does that also include links? Do you need special export licences etc?

many thanks, Dave

 

[M8owner]

How many are you trying to ship?

 

[Rrickoshae]

How many are you trying to ship?

510 - 51 boxes of 10 (20mm Hispano). my son lives up state NY and had bought them for me but not sure if they can just be sent in the post

 

[M8owner]

That is quite a few. Start with a box of ten. Make sure they are all stacked together so you cannot tell what they look like individually when x-rayed. Only call them metric, steel, stamped parts. Give it a shot and see what happens. Worst thing is the loss of ten. This advice is worth what you paid for it.

 

[Rrickoshae]

That is quite a few. Start with a box of ten. Make sure they are all stacked together so you cannot tell what they look like individually when x-rayed. Only call them metric, steel, stamped parts. Give it a shot and see what happens. Worst thing is the loss of ten. This advice is worth what you paid for it.

Yes, they came in a box of 51 packs of 10! We’ll give it a try & see what happens!
many thanks, Dave

 

[ThomasP]

Don't.

It is NOT legal to export ammunition belt links from the US or any other country that is signatory to the ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) without getting government authorization in some form or another.

This is from the USML (The United States Munitions List) which covers items prohibited from being exported from the US under the ITAR agreement.

PART 121—THE UNITED STATES MUNITIONS LIST
. . .
. . .
Category I—Firearms and Related Articles
[me: this category covers firearms upto .50 caliber (12.7mm) and shotguns of any caliber]
. . .
. . .
Catagory II - Guns and Armament
(a) Guns and armament greater than .50 caliber (12.7 mm), as follows:
* (1) Guns, howitzers, artillery, and cannons;
* (2) Mortars;
* (3) Recoilless rifles;
* (4) Grenade launchers;
. . .
. . .
(9) Cartridge links and belts for fully automatic firearms and guns controlled in USML Categories I or II;
. . .

The above can be found on the following website "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-121"

 

[kiwieod]

a few years ago i got quite a few 20mm links from canada to NZ no problem,no forms needed just declared by sender who was/is a large surplus dealer
things may have changed though

 

[Rrickoshae]

Many thanks for that link ThomasP, I’ll try that route and see where it gets me. What I don’t want to risk is getting my son in to trouble with the feds.!
Not too worried about the cost of transport, it will be expensive due to the weight but needs must!
Thanks Kiwieod, thats the issue I guess, have things changed?!
thank you both, Dave

 

[M8owner]

You now have high and low risk options. My experience is the worst case scenario is item seizure and a warning letter from the US Government. You have to consider the low value of the items combined with intent of a son to send his father a present makes federal prosecution a rather low probability. However, it all comes down to your tolerance for risk.

I just thought of a better idea. Cut up a wood dowel rod or metal tube of the right size, and use it to hold the links together. Form them into a round chain. Call it a metal chain, because you repurposed them into a chain. Or, you could call it a trench art necklace.

 

[Rrickoshae]

You now have high and low risk options. My experience is the worst case scenario is item seizure and a warning letter from the US Government. You have to consider the low value of the items combined with intent of a son to send his father a present makes federal prosecution a rather low probability. However, it all comes down to your tolerance for risk.

I just thought of a better idea. Cut up a wood dowel rod or metal tube of the right size, and use it to hold the links together. Form them into a round chain. Call it a metal chain, because you repurposed them into a chain. Or, you could call it a trench art necklace.

Yes, my thoughts exactly. I’ll try getting an export licence first. Failing that they may to stay at his place until he rents a container to move all his belongings back home to the UK!