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Grenade Shipping Internationally

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New Member
Hello Everyone, my second post here. Very nice site by the way. I just posted a thread for post ww2 inert grenades in the wanted section and wanted to ask if shipping from Europe to the US is a problem now days. I purchased an S-Mine from Europe not long ago and there were no problems. I am also interested in any websites or dealers that any of you know of that sells these items? I have mainly been interested in WW2 items but find myself migrating toward more modern ordnance. I appreciate any help you can give ? Thank you.
 
There are a number of threads here on BOCN about the horrors of trying to ship to the U.S. In a nutshell, everything going by air is x-rayed and sniffed for explosives. Grenade shapes don't look good on x-rays. So, surface mail is best, but takes forever. Since 9-11, everybody is sensitive to stuff coming into the U.S. Before that people usually had to get creative with their custom's declarations.

Yes, whoever you got the S-mine from, was very good at getting it to you, but don't assume it will always work. Ordnance items tend to "get lost" in the mail. One little known fact with the U.S. postal service, is that when you ship a package to them, they own it while they have it. Therefore if they decide it is dangerous and want to blow it up, you have no recourse. That is why I never ship Ordnance with the USPS. I ship UPS or FedEx ground.
 
New guidance came out from the British Post Office a couple of months ago that stated ammunition / ordnance / weapons etc should not be sent. About three years ago I posted three totally inert WW1 grenades to Italy after telling the buyer it was at his own risk as Italy is notorious for stuff going missing. When the package didn't arrive I made enquiries and eventually found out they had been seized at the Heathrow Postal depot after being x-rayed. Apparently the place was closed for an hour whilst the package was investigated. They were not sent on and I never got them back. I did have a chat with a friend in Special Branch who was quite amused by it!

Senders beware. John
 
http://pe.usps.com/text/imm/immc1_014.htm

[h=4]136.2 Inert Replica and Explosive Devices[/h] The following types of replica or inert explosive devices are prohibited in outbound international mail:

  1. Military ordnance, ammunition, and shells.
  2. Grenades.
  3. Similar devices that were originally designed for military or combative use (including training).
This prohibition does not extend to items such as children’s toys or articles that do not represent the above items in a realistic manner.


Add to that, depending on who is looking at your package as it comes in (US Customs), the item may qualify or be deemed to qualify under ITAR and require an ATF Form-6 for importation.
 
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