Criminal Charges over the years for import/exports vs. "tin foil hats"
I was in charge of export compliance for our company for a number of years.
We had a whole department whose job it was to keep the company out of legal jeopardy.
There are certification courses that were mandated for the job of export/import compliance officer.
www.iiei.org
1. I personally have had run-ins with Customs over the years over gun parts. Fortunately all was resolved after a great deal of legal hassle. It is all up to the individual customs officer to decide whether to make issue on an individual import/export.
2. Do an internet search for the govt website (US Dept of State ITAR? Customs? US Dept. of Commerce?) that lists all the charges filed over the years for violations. Read some of the synopsis of what people have been charged for over the years! A real eye opener.
I am retired now, so I don't have immediate access to my old company computer where all such website were listed, so you have to do the search.
3. Dept of State, US Customs, US Dept. of Commerce, and BATF every year has booths set up at the SHOT Show (and other industry shows) for dealers to ask about these particular questions and more. Also, the listed agencies have yearly "industry days" where the public is invited to come in and ask questions.
4. Just because a person (me) is a life member of the NRA and a Libertarian, doesn't mean they want to be a "test case" or try their luck with import/export of gun parts.
5. Your best bet... GET A WRITTEN RESPONSE from EACH of the above listed agencies concerning import/export of specific gun parts. JUST BECAUSE ONE AGENCY SAYS "OK, No Problem" DOES NOT MEAN YOU ARE NOT IN VIOLATION WITH ANOTHER AGENCY whose areas of responsibility overlap.
I personally have had many hours trying to clear up ITAR issues when US Dept of Commerce and Dept. of State had both given me written "APPROVAL" !! And this for US Army / US State Department approved export! ITAR still demanded their approval and compliance documentation.
Do some people import / export every single day gun parts with out hassle? Sure.
Do some people import / export every single day gun parts, and get a knock at the door? YES.
How lucky do you feel today?