The Forum at Handcuffs.Org

Illegal cuffs from England

18 visible archived posts · 18 preserved total · topic ID 6005

Tremex 22 Dec 2015

Great novelty for me...
I have bought a nice pair of collectable Hiatt-Peerless in England (item 252202921563), and after a lenghty delay, eBay informs me that these cuffs are viewed as an illegal item and the sending is blocked.
They give me my money back, but I missed interesting cuffs, and if they are destroyed now the seller lost all.

It's the first time in fifteen years I am touched by such a ban, and I am a little worried. With the stricter security rules after the terrorist attacks in France, I hope that international cuffs trading won't be restricted in the country.
Moreover, it was trading between two UEE countries, with simplifed customs laws, therefrom my great surprise to see this problem arise there (and not from USA, for example).

One gift less for Christmas. Sigh

P.S. : sorry for approximate english

John 23 Dec 2015

What were the two countries involved? Did you ask EBay what criminal law they were referring to?

Uncle Scrooge 23 Dec 2015

It's getting worse every year. Together with our freedom to collect handcuffs, lots of other liberties will also go as well.

Did you realize you can't write ebay anymore? They do everything by phone now. After an hour on hold, they'll tell you they're really sorry, but there is nothing they can do. You can't even bring legal action against them. They probably won't even be using their real names.

Tremex 23 Dec 2015

It was a "simple" auction from England to France, in the same simplified european trading market. No special laws against handcuffs, they are not firearms. It's why I'm so surprised/disappointed by this decision. I had written to the seller, no response until now.
For eBay, not tried until now, broken links in the message. And they kept the postage fees, in fact. I have just obtained the auction cost. This global shipping program seems a strange thing ...

Anonymous 23 Dec 2015

Blame Bush Jr and his lies.

Anonymous 23 Dec 2015

Blame Obama instead ..............

If he has his "way", police -AND- private individuals will NOT be allowed to own guns, cuffs, and/or "tactical equipment" and clothing!!! The military will also not be allowed to have planes, ships, tanks, guns, knives, etc., etc.

Reason: We talk instead!!

Paul 23 Dec 2015

It seems that Ebays Global Shipping Program is becoming over zealous.
They won't stop the sale, but they may stop the posting.
So ask if your seller will be using GSP before you bid. If so, tell them why you won't be bidding, or make other arrangements. That is my solution for getting cuffs out of USA, now it appears to be a more global issue.
By "other arrangements" I mean, see if they will post to a third party in the country of origin who can then post them for you. Posting from UK to France should not be an issue.

Uncle Scrooge 24 Dec 2015

I consider the Global Shipping Program organzied fraud. You can't opt out of it, you don't even get a choice. The put all the stuff into a giant box once a week, ship it at minimal cost - they make the savings, and you pay them on top of all their fees and everything.

Anonymous 24 Dec 2015

It was damn Global shipping Program. Why GSP block handcuffs from UK is unknown. There is no restriction in handcuffs export from UK. It seems that in case of GSP block items is destroyed and refund is from Ebay not from seller. So be aware because you may by participating in GSP destroy very rare item. If you see label GSP - run away as fast as possible.

John 24 Dec 2015

#10

The U.K. does restrict export of cuffs above a certain size, maybe France has implemented some new legislation? I know it's illegal to export leg irons outside the European Union.

Or maybe they are trying to implement US policies over the Global Shipping service.

Anonymous 24 Dec 2015

#11

GSP is strange. They have blocked handcuffs - not leg irons from UK to Russia twice. Handcuffs export to Russia is not prohibited, I have response from Customs officials.

Michael Busch 26 Dec 2015

#12

There is absolutely no need to use GSP. Just select a carrier, find out what the shipping costs, get the money for item and shipping and get it shipped to the address quoted by the buyer.

Best wishes and Happy Holidays to all!

Michael

Paul 02 Jan 2016

#13

I am now finding that even though the seller allowed posting overseas using GSP that eBay is now stopping me from bidding and limits posting to USA only. I guess that saves them the hastle of refunding money and destroying property. So I will limit my purchases to those who do not use GSP.

Tremex 29 Jan 2016

#14

Good news, I have found another pair in England, and the cuffs are arrived without problem this time !

Bad news, it's not the best model I have ever seen (no double lock, for example. Close from the Hiatts 1970 in fact), but always an interesting piece, and in good condition. My 200th or 201th pair (including some others restraints and related items) !

Anonymous 31 Jan 2016

#15

Maybe someone should sue ebay for being so stupid and greedy!

Mart 31 Jan 2016

#16

I was also bidding on them cuffs lol. I just had some peerless come from the us no probs had to pay custom charge though bit im finding as i only really want us cuffs i have to get them from us as never seem to see many here in uk

Tremex 01 Feb 2016

#17

You have "The Handcuff Shop" in UK. Not cheap but interesting items.

http://www.thehandcuffshop.com/home.cfm

Anonymous 01 Feb 2016

#18

As for the handcuff shop UK, wrong orders, phone calls constantly not answered, Stay clear and avoid not a good experience!