Why no international shipping?

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KenHash

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I've always wondered why some companies have a policy of not shipping their products overseas, and they restrain their dealers from doing so as well.
Benchmade, SOG, Leatherman come to mind, There may be others I'm not aware of.
Being that knives are not exactly some high-tech security issue and many other companies ship overseas, I figure it's some arrangement with their distributors in
foreign countries. Because such knives are available overseas, just so much more expensive.
Appreciate any views.
 
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Candidly, so many knives get grabbed by the Customs offices of various countries, it's why many of us who sell knives on the Exchange don't sell internationally. So, I can fully understand why companies might not want that hassle either.
 
KenHash said:
I've always wondered why some companies have a policy of not shipping their products overseas, and they restrain their dealers from doing so as well.
Benchmade, SOG, Leatherman come to mind, There may be others I'm not aware of.
Being that knives are not exactly some high-tech security issue and many other companies ship overseas, I fugure it's some arrangement with their distributors in
foreign countries. Because such knives are available overseas, just so much more expansive.
Appreciate any views.
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I think where your head is at is the correct reasoning.

I can order the same knife from the USA including postage, duties and taxes generally for less than I buy that same knife here.

Shipping over the border is no problem. Most people who won’t do it, have never done it.
 
The reason/excuse is probably to protect their dealers and service network in other countries. This also happens with other products.

If you can buy a knife X for less from another country then the dealer in your country or region will have fewer customers and may not be able to exist, compete, maintain a service centre or make a profit (especially if they have to lower their prices to match).

You do hear the bad customs stories, as people that do not get their knives (due to their fault, or due to the seller's fault, or due to bad luck) tend to be vocal (unhappy customers) but you rarely hear about all the knives and other products that make it through customs with no issues.
 
Sharp & Fiery said:
Shipping over the border is no problem. Most people who won’t do it, have never done it.
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Just curious, but folding knives? In my experience there is definitely risk. I’ve shipped 2 frame locks from the US to Canada over the past year, 1 for a manufacturer spa treatment and 1 was a sale, and both were seized by customs. Explanation for the first was they considered it an automatic knife due to the flipper tab and the explanation for the other was they considered it a gravity knife. 2 for 2 to me is pretty bad odds, and Canadas been on my no-ship list after the second instance.
 
I had received a few packages of knives from Knife Centre via FedEx without incident and then about a year or so ago one was stopped in UAE on route to me in South Africa - after many,many emails FedEx denied they even ship knives overseas despite me providing them with five or six previous shipment numbers. Knife Centre did their best but to no avail.

I also think some goods are not shipped to protect dealer networks/agents in the respective countries. Customs also playa a role. If your package is not sent via courier (UPS is great, Amarex and DHL as well) to South Africa you may have delivery times measured in months.
 
Thanks all.

I think it;s pretty clear that some companies not shipping internationally has to do with their distribution system.

And individual sellers not willing to send internationally is an entirely different issue.
Personally, I don't see any problem with a Seller shipping internationally provided the Buyer takes all
responsibility on their end (legality, Customs, etc) and covers the shipping. I've done this count;ess times.
 
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There is a well known dealer in the US that I had bought a lot of knives from, shipped to me with no issue.

He then got scammed by a customer in Eastern Europe and he decided no more international shipping. He was very apologetic to me but explained that he had to apply the policy to everyone equally and that was the end of our business dealings. I certainly don't hold it against him and I moved on.

The truth is it's getting harder and harder to ship knives across international borders. I suspect the time will come when it will be almost impossible to do it without massive effort.
 
Sharpoholic said:
Just curious, but folding knives? In my experience there is definitely risk. I’ve shipped 2 frame locks from the US to Canada over the past year, 1 for a manufacturer spa treatment and 1 was a sale, and both were seized by customs. Explanation for the first was they considered it an automatic knife due to the flipper tab and the explanation for the other was they considered it a gravity knife. 2 for 2 to me is pretty bad odds, and Canadas been on my no-ship list after the second instance.
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Lots of folders. But I do agree, there is always risk. Also some common sense plays into what is shipped. If it was around the time where they deemed flipper tabs to be “automatics” then it would be foolish to try to ship one.
I feel for you. I’ve never had a knife seized, but I have had a parcel “lost.”

Most instances that I have heard or talked to the person who had a knife confiscated was because they lied on the customs form. Whether it was the contents as “camp tool” or incorrect value to try to skirt duties. Customs has google. Honesty is the best policy.

I do also respect the right to refuse “over the border” shipping. I had a small fixed blade last month be held in customs for almost 4 weeks. They opened it, checked it out, and most likely googled the value.

It arrived to me with duties owing and in perfect shape. Shipped to me USPS.
 
Steven65 said:
The truth is it's getting harder and harder to ship knives across international borders. I suspect the time will come when it will be almost impossible to do it without massive effort.
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There is so much truth to this statement and I believe the same. It is very unfortunate.
 
Sharpoholic said:
Just curious, but folding knives? In my experience there is definitely risk. I’ve shipped 2 frame locks from the US to Canada over the past year, 1 for a manufacturer spa treatment and 1 was a sale, and both were seized by customs. Explanation for the first was they considered it an automatic knife due to the flipper tab and the explanation for the other was they considered it a gravity knife. 2 for 2 to me is pretty bad odds, and Canadas been on my no-ship list after the second instance.
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^ Agreed 100%!

I've sold dozens of knives here Internationally, over the years; to member's living in Russia, Canada, & Australia. One member, residing in Australia, I had sold/shipped an illegal Benchmade 42 Ti Balisong (he was willing to take full & complete responsibility if things went South). I never had a single issue....other than very long/slightly stressful, wait times.

I'm just not willing to take these kind of risks anymore. Not because of the buyer (because FWIW I do fully trust many of the International member's here in this community), but mainly because of the foreign Governments in question, and their very strict highly ambiguous importation Laws pertaining to certain style knives/weapons. These Foreign Customs Agents/foreign postal systems, are who I worry about the most. The risks associated with seizure/theft, (especially with Foreign Customs) is just too great now, IMO. Customs Agents basically have the impunity to seize anything they like, with zero recourse by the shipper/owner of said property confiscated, and basically steal your property.

Edited to add: If I owned a knife company, I would not ship any knife Internationally; for any reason. I can fully respect/appreciate any company reluctant in doing so. And then there's the PP fraud/bogus disputes you have have to worry about when 1 of these buyer's files and frivolous dispute....and the cost of returning your item, exceeds it's value! Just too many things to worry about anymore.
 
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KenHash said:
I think it;s pretty clear that some companies not shipping internationally has to do with their distribution system.
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100% this and not just for knives. A lot of retail places have an agreement not to export certain items not because of any legal restrictions but because there is a distribution network in the other country. A while ago I helped someone in FLA get a USA made backpack from Canada.

If the original company has strict rules they'll pull the line from the store that made the sale. For the retail source it's not worth loosing a profitable line to be nice to someone and for a manufacturer it's not worth exporting items one or two at a time as retail sales. Almost everyone wants to ship 1000s at a time.
 
I sold a fixed blade Jacklore Classic bushcraft knife on eBay to a Japanese buyer. eBay's Global Shipping Center confiscated the knife for an undisclosed reason. Luckily, they reimbursed the buyer, let me keep the funds I received but kept the knife and sold it to a liquidator.

If I had made a direct sale to a buyer in Japana I don't know if Japanese customs would have seized the knife themselves but if they did I would be the one refunding the buyer and may or may not get the knife back either. Enough of a lesson for me on selling internationally.
 
I used to ship internationally, but after 2 packages disappearing off the face of the earth, and another that was lost for over a year (15 months) before it returned to me as undeliverable I stopped. Just to much risk for no more than I sell. I occasionally will ship to Canada, but it is quite a bit more expensive than it used to be and I hate the thought it may get confiscated.
 
Sharp & Fiery said:
I think where your head is at is the correct reasoning.

I can order the same knife from the USA including postage, duties and taxes generally for less than I buy that same knife here.

Shipping over the border is no problem. Most people who won’t do it, have never done it.
Click to expand...
I refuse to ship international for a variety of reasons. One is the paperwork. Two is buyers asking me to lie on the form to avoid confiscation or customs charges. Three is the shipping costs. Four is I have to stand in the line at the Post Office for longer than usual, plus I live in a rural area so I need to make a special trip to the Post Office.
I recently shipped a package to New Zealand and that was for a good friend of mine. It was an absolute headache and the shipping about made me walk out. I spent more on shipping than the value of the items.
 
I have a curiosity…how much does it cost to ship to Canada from the USA?
 
ibute21 said:
I refuse to ship international for a variety of reasons. One is the paperwork. Two is buyers asking me to lie on the form to avoid confiscation or customs charges. Three is the shipping costs. Four is I have to stand in the line at the Post Office for longer than usual, plus I live in a rural area so I need to make a special trip to the Post Office.
I recently shipped a package to New Zealand and that was for a good friend of mine. It was an absolute headache and the shipping about made me walk out. I spent more on shipping than the value of the items.
Click to expand...

Not sure why you quoted me.
 
Sharp & Fiery said:
I have a curiosity…how much does it cost to ship to Canada from the USA?
Click to expand...

I'd have to look to get exact numbers, but the last couple packages were about 3 times the cost it would have been to ship anywhere in the USA state to state.
 
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