Hi Gang:
For your info, I'm in Canada, and shipped about 75 lbs of old pdp-11 boards
to the US this week without any problems. I indicated "Obsolete Computer
Parts" on the customs form.
Looks like others may be having trouble, but none here on the west coast so
far.
Fingers crossed,
Kevin
At 12:15 PM 11/02/00 -0500, you wrote:
US customs has decided that people/companies in the US
are avoiding tariffs
by "importing computer components through Canada" ... even if they are over
30 years old.
I (and others I know) in Canada have had quite a few problems (just over the
last two months) shipping computer components and documentation to the US.
My last eBay buyer spent quite a bit of time trying to convince US customs
they were not trying to avoid tariffs... [these materials were well over 25
years old]
I wanted every Canadian List member to know that if you indicate the
contents of the package to contain computer parts/manuals then, no mater how
old, these items could be held up in customs or rejected if you don't
provide contact info to customs. (customs doesn't seem to have a clue that
*old* computer parts fall outside their tariff issue).
Since computer parts are "electronic boards/parts" and manuals/documentation
can fall under "books" I recommend describing items as such. Shipping whole
mini computers are another issue. Generally, make sure both phone numbers
are on the parcel so US customs can contact the shipper/buyer immediately
with their concerns.
Good luck!
john
PDP-8 and other rare mini computers
http://www.pdp8.com
==========================================================
Sgt. Kevin McQuiggin, Vancouver Police Department
E-Comm Project (604) 215-5095; Cell: (604) 868-0544
Email: mcquiggi(a)sfu.ca