Import/export of vintage tech from USA at risk

[daqq]

From another forum:

https://forum.vcfed.org/index.php?threads/usa-import-export-of-electronics-a-warning-to-those-buying-and-selling-as-of-august-2026.1258636/#post-1514815

Apparently there's some issues with importing/exporting e-waste from the US and this can affect vintage/old electronics. Not sure how it might affect (vintage) test and measurement gear.

[factory]

That thread is confusing me with the mention of the Pitney Bowes "Global Shipping Programme" (aka GSP), as this disappeared on feeBay.com several years ago to be replaced with feeBay's own internal version Ebay International Shipping (aka EIS), pretty much everything vintage test gear related, except for manuals/books has been ineligible for EIS to my location, they use the categories on feeBay to block them, using a forwarding company is the only way to obtain most things.

Note: the UK is finally getting rid of GSP on feeBay.co.uk, there is a phased move to EIS is happening between August & December this year.

Anything that GSP or EIS deem not possible to ship internationally tends to end up with a liquidator on feeBay, with local shipping only of course, I noticed this recently with a Schlumberger DMM.

Original listing with EIS; https://www.ebay.com/itm/298412788456

The same item with a liquidator, with a price markup of course; https://www.ebay.com/itm/168608519387

8TEN1944 is liquidator I've known about for many years, long before GSP stopped being an option for me on feeBay.com, there are others to.
This might be relevant to those on the computer forum, I have to use picclick to get past the feeBay geoblocking;
https://picclick.com/seller/8ten1944/Computers-Tablets-Networking/Vintage-Computing/

David

[Stray Electron]

From another forum:

https://forum.vcfed.org/index.php?threads/usa-import-export-of-electronics-a-warning-to-those-buying-and-selling-as-of-august-2026.1258636/#post-1514815

Apparently there's some issues with importing/exporting e-waste from the US and this can affect vintage/old electronics. Not sure how it might affect (vintage) test and measurement gear.

  Sorry but I just don't see this as a problem for TE buyers or buyers of vintage electronics. This specifically applies to E-Waste that contains certain critical materials[/u] so unless you're buying your electronics as e-waste then it shouldn't apply.  OTOH if you're buying TE and shipping out of the US and then trying to claim that it's worthless scrap then I can see how that could be a problem for you. 

   Exactly what kind of "critical material" did your Epson PF-10 floppy drive contain?

   From my reading of the posts that you linked to, this seems to only be a problem in Canada and with some E-bay sales.  Are people really buying E-waste on E-bay? 

[SiliconWizard]

The rule does not target "vintage tech" per se, but as some reports already show, you can't avoid some zealous agents to reject some vintage tech imports because they suspect it contains problematic materials.

[zepto]

You're saying the Solartron didn't get through customs and was resold? It wouldn't get returned to the original seller? Did you purchase it initially? It's not even a product of the US anyway.

That's very interesting about the export restrictions. There is someone in the US that exports vintage HP equipment for scrap.
Pays $200-$300 for boat anchor HP items, exports them and still somehow makes money. Can't just be the gold plating, even with record value.

[factory]

Yes, look at the dates in the pictures, I didn't buy it but do have regular search using "picclick" to get around geo-blocking, that how I knew about this one, seeing 8TEN1944 confirmed it. I already own the Solartron device in question, which was bought locally.

Using the eBay provided international shipping, the buyer agrees to the T&Cs, which allow the third party shipping provider to prevent shipping outside the country, for whatever reason they decide, they never reveal why and can't be reasoned with.
They are then allowed to do with it what they like, this can be sending to a liquidator for resale, or disposing of it. The buyer & seller are never left out of pocket and the third party reseller allows them to recover some or all of the funds.

Looking through the first page of 8TEN1944, reveals many other types of items that are a problem for GSP/EIS, there are;
Items that may contain batteries, eg vintage calculator, pocket radio, watches,
Items that may contain gas/fuel or liquids, eg chainsaw, perfume,
Vehicle parts, eg bike frame, car parts,
Items with wood, eg saxaphone in case, speakers.
Items that are weapons, eg, sword, claw,
Medical equipment.

There are various things I can't explain, eg, Star wars toy, various Pokemon related things and clothing.

Using USPS, Fedex & DHL to send the items to me, I've not had problems sending vintage electronics (some with hazardous components) and chainsaws, except the one time the box was leaking gas out.  They always arrive, but sometimes get damaged, due to lack of packing material, or customs agents aggressively cutting open the box, recently had this with a HP analog voltmeter, front was slashed.

The new problems mentioned at the computer forum also mention problems importing into the US, I can't comment on this.

I'm very aware some sellers are hunting for old TE, both for metal recovery and attempting to resell parts, this applies to feeBay, radio rally sales and traditional auctions.

David

[EEVblog]

Mentioned here at 6:50

[factory]

Well a parcel with some vintage counter parts arrived from the USA with no problems, other than USPS taking a while longer due to some problems they were having, delivery took nearly four weeks, this was a private sale, not feeBay related.
The parts would be considered e-waste to the majority of people, I've no idea what the HS tariff code would even be for that.

David