The Forum at Handcuffs.Org

Export restrictions?

14 visible archived posts · 14 preserved total · topic ID 505

Steve Santini 08 Apr 2005

Hi all,

I heard today a rumor about recently imposed "export restrictions" for restraints being exported outside the USA.

It was implied to me that all exporters of handcuffs (presumably new cuffs) now had to hold a special export license to ship out of the USA.

This sounds to me simply too unbelivable to be ture and I suspect it to only be a rumor.

Has anyone else heard anything about this and is there anything true to it?

Thanks, Steve Santini

Atame 08 Apr 2005

DHW ceased exporting restraints to addresses outside U.S. and Canada, because of license reasons as they told.

Regards,
Guenter
www.atame.info

Steve Santini 08 Apr 2005

Hi,

Thanks for that info.

Are they still shipping to Canada?

Steve Santini

Jack Tanis 08 Apr 2005

Hello,

The most formidable restriction on US exports is now that the US produces nearly nothing, it has become exceedingly difficult to export anything -- which is not to be confused with outsourcing, as the US outsources almost everything.

Having addressed the general issues of nothing, anything and everything, and turning to the particular rumour in question, it is just that and nothing more. No constraints have been imposed upon restraints; they are not restricted -- although they are restrictive -- and will not be interdicted.

Cheers,

Jack

Dorson 08 Apr 2005

Leave it to the wonderfull people who run the gov't here and clueless wonders that abound. I had a talk with DHW and some idiots are saying it is the technology if I understood it correctly. I just laughed because anyone with a real brain knows there is nothing that is secret or special about the handcuffs being made here. It's basically old school stuff and the asians as well as others have been copying it for years. Considering how tough the market is and we have lost so much business overseas with all the clones being made, now our own gov't wants to tie US business and manufacturers hands to compete overseas. These people need to get out from behind there desks and see the real world instead of pushing paper and thinking they are helping. I know I am sick and tired of the people with authority thinking that they know, well, tell me what you do know for certain, not what you think.

-Dorson(who's stepping off his soap box now)

Jack Tanis 08 Apr 2005

Hello,

See the year 2000 Rules Affecting the Export Administration Regulations, published in the Federal Register, of which the pertinent one is 65 FR 55177, "Crime Control Items: Revisions to the Commerce Control List", at http://www.access.gpo.gov/bis/fedreg/ea ... #65fr55177, with links to the full text in Word Perfect, PDF and text formats. Published 13 September 2000, this has been in effect for nearly five years. A licence requirement is not synonymous with draconian restrictions.

The short version reads: "This rule amends the EAR to expand controls on restraint devices, such as handcuffs, and on discharge type arms, such as stun guns or shock batons and imposes controls on technology for the development or production of those items. This rule also makes changes to control list entries to better distinguish between restraint devices and other police equipment, which will result in more transparent licensing statistics on items controlled for crime control reasons. It also improves the control list grouping for fingerprinting powders, dyes, and inks. In addition, this rule modifies the license review policy to include consideration of whether there is civil disorder in the country or region or whether there is evidence that the government of the importing country may have violated internationally recognized human rights."

(I should have stayed out of this in the first place.)

Cheers,

Jack

Steve Santini 08 Apr 2005

Thanks guys.

I thought it was a load of B.S. when I heard it.

And, I am most happy that whatever regulations that may currently exist, they do not seem to apply to Canada.

Cheers, Steve Santini

Shawn Ness 08 Apr 2005

Not knowing this I have already, this year, sent cuffs to both Canada and Tiwain (without "fudging" paperwork) without a problem.

Shawn

Steve Santini 08 Apr 2005

O.K.

Stay right where you are Shawn.

As I write this, the feds have some sinister looking guys in black trench coats on the way over to have a friendly "talk" with you.

Steve Santini

Steve Gage 10 Apr 2005

#10

Hi to everyone
Australian Security Product Importers are having this restriction imposed on them, and yes they require a licence to import handcuffs from the USA. This information I know first hand from dealing with some of my suppliers. In Australia, it now takes about 90 days to get anything out of the US, Ammunition is a big concern at the moment, no body talks under 90 days for products. I agree with everyone that this is mad, but think of us in a waiting pattern is it or is it not, going to arrive. It is making our importers very nervous.

Steve Gage

Mike 13 Apr 2005

#11

I'm in the UK and had an order declined by DHW recently because of this licence nonsense. I had a very nice email from Chris Patzer explaining the position, but they are continuing to mail to Canada. AND they will of course mail to me at a US address when I'm over there next month!
Mike

Mark Lyons 14 Apr 2005

#12

Hi Everyone!
All these export restriction laws are news to me! I would have never imagined such strange laws being passed. I might see a law such as this if they wished to prohibit the importation of law enforfement materials going to a country that did not have the capability to produce such items. Most countries in Europe or Australia already manufactures quality handcuffs and it can be debated that their products are even superior in quality than the cuffs that are produced here in the U.S.
With these wacky laws, I am wondering if badges can be sent overseas. They are official police equipment but offer no means of controlling a combative subject or prisoner like cuffs, guns, mace, stun guns, tasers, or other less lethal weapons.
Any lawyers in the house?
mark

Shakespeare 14 Apr 2005

#13

First we kill all the lawyers.............

Mr Bumble a/k/a Charles Dickens 14 Apr 2005

#14

The law is an ass, an idiot.