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uCurrent shipment issues to European countries
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MiataMuc:
well, as far as I know, it is quite simple: if it is only parts, or a kit, it does not need any CE or other declarations. I always buy kits from chinese sellers, never things that are assembled. Never had any problem at customs office; only problem is insufficient declaration of price - I have to mail in the Paypal-Invoice to the customs office. On the other hand - it it was really important to me, I would just get a "Gewerbeschein" (found a company) - then you are allowed to import samples.
0xdeadbeef:
I fear that is not completely true. "Basic components" don't need a CE mark. Stuff like resistors diodes. A socket/outlet, lightswitch, motor, transformer or power supply needs a CE mark.
As far as I understand. the rule is like something this
- if the characteristics of the device depend on how the component is used, the component doesn't need a CE mark
- if the safety of the component can be judged independently of the device it's used it, it needs a CE mark
I also fear that selling a kit doesn't really solve the CE problem. I mean it's likely that you can convince a customs officers that a kit doesn't need a CE mark, but I guess from a strictly legal point of view, it doesn't really matter if the device needs to be assembled or not. However I understand that at least the e-waste directive can't be applied to kits.

As usual, the idea of the CE mark was well-intentioned. To allow only selling of products that cohere to some directives regarding safety, EMC etc. sounds like good idea.
Then again, all the directives are terribly written and only consider the multi-million company which doesn't care about ten thousand Euro or so for a certification.
There should be clearly defined exceptions for hobbyists, but I fear there aren't.

Besides, Chinese sellers just stick a CE mark on the device and if it explodes, it will be impossible to find out from which backyard workshop it came. So the whole thing became somewhat pointless.
janoc:

--- Quote from: 0xdeadbeef on April 11, 2015, 11:07:13 pm ---Then again, all the directives are terribly written and only consider the multi-million company which doesn't care about ten thousand Euro or so for a certification.
There should be clearly defined exceptions for hobbyists, but I fear there aren't.

--- End quote ---

Actually the directive itself is quite clear. The problem are the national implementations - the actual laws you have to follow. Some countries have the penchant for being more "Brussels than Brussels" and introduce things that go beyond and above what is actually demanded by the directive.

BTW, hobbyists don't really need (and are not) to be concerned by these things. If you are not introducing a product into the EU market they don't apply to you - so it is completely fine to use leaded solder or not bother with EMC - nobody cares about what you do at home, as long as other laws are not broken. Who gets bitten are small companies and startups trying to get a new product on the market. That is rather unfortunate.
mcinque:
Ok, so by reading some posts, anyone can sell anything regardless of CE compliance, just by selling it as a kit (even an "idiot proof kit", like a complex board to be finished with only one or three components still to be soldered).

If this would be true, even if you sell something that once assembled will crush every tv or radio signal in your neighborhood due to its emissions, you would get zero troubles from the autority, since you sell it as a kit.

I strongly don't think so. Kits are not a solution against CE compliance.

When you sell a "final" product, so a device that once built can work without the need of other than a power source, you are selling an apparatus, that must be CE.

If you sell a part, something that once assembled it's not for a final use, but it's only something that will be incorporated in a device, THAT's the part that doesn't need any CE. It's the final apparatus that must be compliant, and of course only if you're going to sell it.

As a crude example, no one can be sued because is selling you potassium nitrate. You can use it in many ways. This can be identified as a harmless part.
It will be more different if he sells you potassium nitrate together with a pipe, two caps, sugar and coal, with instructions on how to assemble them. This is a no more a harmless part, but an explosive device.
Jeroen3:
You know CE is self-certification?
There is no need for expensive certification tests by some third party.
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