Marking of Imported knives into the U.S.

[2brothers]

I've seen this come up a few times both here at BF and at AAPK, so I did some searching to find the law regarding
the marking of imported knives with the country of origin.
Here is what I found. (BTW, most all examples I've found have been knives imported by CRKT)

Marking of Country of Origin on U.S. Imports
Acceptable Terminology and Methods for Marking

Does altering the article in a second country change the country of origin?
The country of origin of an article may be changed in a secondary country if one of the following occurs:

1. If the further work or material added to an article in the second country constitutes a substantial transformation. A substantial transformation occurs if a new article with a different name, character, and use is created.

2. For a good from a NAFTA country: if under the NAFTA Marking Rules (19 CFR Part 102) the second country is determined to be the country of origin of the good; or

3. For an article considered to be a textile or apparel product (regardless of whether it is a good from a NAFTA country): if the country of origin is determined by the general rules set forth in 19 CFR Part 102.21 to be the second country. For purposes of determining whether a textile or apparel product is from Israel, the general rules in 19 CFR 12.130 apply.


Special Markings on Certain Articles

The following articles and parts thereof, unless otherwise subject to the marking exceptions provided for in 19 U.S.C. 1304, must be marked legibly and conspicuously with their country of origin by die-stamping, cast-in-mold lettering, etching (acid or electrolytic), engraving, or by means of metal plates which bear the prescribed marking and which are securely attached to the article in a conspicuous place by welding, screws, or rivets:

Knives, forks, steels
Cleavers, clippers, shears
Scissors, safety razors, blades for safety razors
Surgical instruments, dental instruments
Scientific and laboratory instruments
Pliers, pincers, nippers and hinged hand-tools for holding and splicing wire
Vacuum containers and parts of the above articles

If you need an answer for item #2 in the first section it is

The United States, Canada and Mexico are THE members of NAFTA

So, how are these importers getting through Customs without marking their blades?
I would like to know where the products I buy are made.

 

[mp510]

So, how are these importers getting through Customs without marking their blades?

a vast majority of items coming into the United States are never examined. Same way that all sorts of illegal items get in. When this became a big issue after 9/11, the claim was something like only 2% of cargo containers that through customs are ever examined.

 

[SPXTrader]

a vast majority of items coming into the United States are never examined. Same way that all sorts of illegal items get in. When this became a big issue after 9/11, the claim was something like only 2% of cargo containers that through customs are ever examined.

So if they are not caught, it makes it OK for a company to import items that do not comply with US laws? Doesn't sound ethical to me.

 

[hwpaintballer]

Right off the bat I can't think of seeing any unmarked knives, :foot: of course I haven't been paying much attention to any of CRKT's products, do you have a link, or pic, to some of the unmarked knives?

 

[Pipeman]

Snow and Neally the ax makers from Maine are now importing their ax heads from China and because they say they're "tempering" the heads here they are not maked China. The Best ax company are buying from S and N and selling the axes for up to $500.00 each with yuppy painted hafts ;-)) Also not marked China. NAFTA sucks big time.

Regards

Robin

 

[mp510]

So if they are not caught, it makes it OK for a company to import items that do not comply with US laws? Doesn't sound ethical to me.

I never said it was ethical or legal. I was simply answering the OP's question-- "how?"

 

[SPXTrader]

I never said it was ethical or legal. I was simply answering the OP's question-- "how?"

I understand, and I was doing more thinking out loud than asking a specific question of you mp. But it brings me back to my original question. If the laws are as 2brothers quoted, then why would a maker intentionally break the law? Not only does ethics enter into the equation, but potential criminal/civil liabilities do too. If this is the case, a maker could have his product produced in some podunk Chinese factory and the buying public would never be the wiser.

Sounds like the desire for the dollar exceeds the love of the labor.

 

[tom19176]

The new Camillus Heat AOs that came out after the company went under are now made in China, but marked as Spain. Spain it seems allows this if the product is imported there then sent elsewhere.