End of Surplus?

Hi All! Joe R. wrote: This is not entirely correct. It only applies to surplus from U.S. Government contracts, or is funded by U.S Government. I frequently buy a lot of surplus from the University of Arizona. They knew of these restrictions several months ago. However the University deems it only applies to surplus/salvage from U.S. Governent contracts, as the U of A recieves a majority of its funding from the State of Arizona. a majority of it's surplus is sold w/o any such restrictions. Let me point out that the University has, for a very long time, had a very accurate inventory control system. All inventory is tracked through out the university, and even at the surplus sales level, there is a final "check-off" as we load the stuff into our cars. The University continue to dispose of surplus equipment from U.S. Gov. contracts, the equipment deemed to have a "nefarious" value like lets say a poweful laser, are usually sold dismantled, AND with an affifdavit by the buyer that is not to be sold/exported out of the U.S. I also have bought items from the various military bases here in Arizona through thier surplus property auctions, They too, follow the same routines as the U of A. Remember, surplus and salvage dealers BUY the items from the various goverment/private businesses. These businesses have to follow the same rules as ther salvage agent. They would not be selling it to him as salvage, had they felt the requirements were too draconian. Not true also, there are no provisions in any Homeland Security act that specifically prohibit any surplus/obsolete equipment from beind sold overseas. There are specific prohibitions under the Dept of Commerce and now Homeland Security for certain classes of computer/scientific equipment sales. They have been more detailed than previous to 9/11. But there is no blanket restriction. As you can imagine there's no way that a scrap yard owner can handle the massive amounts of paperwork that would be involved and there is absolutely no way to ensure that none of it goes There isn't a "massive amount of papework" just a few affidavits. I suspect he's just too lazy to find out for himself. Yes, the Department of Homeland Security is a hotbed of officious twits, (going up the whole chain of command) and have overreacted to the 9/11 events with alarming alacrity, but that's what this administration does best: Scare the pant's off you, impose ill-concieved measures that not only don't percieve the problem but in effect, add to it. But they are especillay fond at taking advantage of peoples ignorance/or indifference. You scrap dealers is one such person. Probably not, unless they are selling high tech equipment from U.S. old government contracts to be bought by overseas buyers. Most likely he will be out of business soon. Hopefully replaced by people who are not scared and can most likely read. I bough several items within the last month, that were all part of obsolete/surplus equipment that came from U.S. Government products. First at the U of A, and then from Davis-Montham Air base and from Ft Huachuca. All U.S. surplus including military surplus...and no problems, and furthermore were not told of any draconian measures or the ending of these surplus auctions. Allthough I wouldn't doubt for a minute these types of meausures could be taken, and especially understand the requirements. Cheers Tom