Thread: US Customs vs Straight Razors

Just think how many problems could be solved by requiring all air pasengers to fly naked plus banning shipments of anything by any means into or out of the US. Complex problems need simple solutions... I think I oughta run for Congress.

Thank you for taking the time to share your expertise with me. The news I hear are most fortunate. I certainly did not enjoy the perspective of having a deal go sour over something I'd consider stupid. I didn't write "shaving supplies" on the customs form, I wrote "straight razor". Indeed, "cut throat razor" sounded a little... off. Like I mentioned, this info came from a guy in customs, I have not dealt with or heard of anything like it before.

Kind regards to all,

Andrei,

I constantly have a flux of straight razors being shipped outside the US and coming my way from all over the globe. Except Canada, that can take up to 3 weeks, I have had zero issues so far. Everything arrives in less than 10 days both ways.

I recently decided against purchasing a seven day set of vintage straight razor from outside the US because they had ivory scales. I was told it would be illegal for me to import the razors to the US unless it could be documented that the ivory used in each of the scales was obtained legally, and that even then there could be problems. I do not know how they would ever find out that the box containing "shaving supplies" had ivory in it, but being that the penalty is a felony I decided against it...

Y'know I've gotten a number of ivory scaled straights from vendors overseas. All vintage and I don't think the average customs inspector would recognize it if it wasn't noted in the documentation. Then again, it is a roll of the dice.

Yes, that I've heard of. Ivory usually falls in the same category as diamonds when it comes to documentation and paperwork needed to import/export. On recently-made products. I bet that seven day set cost a fortune - as seven day sets usually do - as those handles alone must've cost one third of the price. But if the set was indeed old (vintage) do you still need to prove that it was obtained legally at the time of production? Which most likely it wasn't.

Originally Posted by whiskeypete

But if the set was indeed old (vintage) do you still need to prove that it was obtained legally at the time of production? Which most likely it wasn't.

I don't think you do. Especially if you don't mention it. Blueprinciple sold a gorgeous new TI ivory scaled 7 day set to a fellow who was outside the UK. Italy I think. I'm not sure if the ivory was pre-ban or what the story was but the customer received the razors. Of course a licensed vendor selling new items would have to document it.

Originally Posted by whiskeypete

Yes, that I've heard of. Ivory usually falls in the same category as diamonds when it comes to documentation and paperwork needed to import/export. On recently-made products. I bet that seven day set cost a fortune - as seven day sets usually do - as those handles alone must've cost one third of the price. But if the set was indeed old (vintage) do you still need to prove that it was obtained legally at the time of production? Which most likely it wasn't.

According to Custom's regs vintage means nothing. Antique items are different. To be an antique it has to be at least 100 years old and you need to be able to prove it.

FWIW, several months ago I purchased a razor with ivory scales (pre-ban) from a seller in the UK and it arrived in about a week with no problems. The seller wrote "straight razor" on the customs form attached to the envelope. More recently, I ordered a stiff-fronted dress shirt, detachable collar, and collar studs from a firm in the UK. I've not been able to find this type shirt available anywhere else; they're definitely not made anywhere in the US. Took about 2 weeks in shipment--was hung up in customs for at least a week. Go figure. Guess it just depends on who picks up your particular package.

In the past four months I have received razors from Canada, France, England, Sweden, Australia, and Bulgaria without a hitch. Most of them took about 10-14 days to arrive here at my USA home. There were no problems with customs or extra fees on the receiving end.