Global Shipping Program(me)

[Excessive Leakage]

Good evening

I'm not sure how relevant this is but I thought it would be useful to share my recent experience with the above, which is being promoted by Ebay to international sellers.

Over the years I have purchased valves/tubes and related electronic items from the USA. However, in the last month or so, I have been unable to import any of these items via the above program(me) with the items being marked as 'restricted' and undeliverable. As a result Pitney Bowes refunds me the purchase costs plus shipping and the seller keeps their money with the item passing to PB for 'liquidation' (sale or disposal).

So far a boxed GEC valve, a Trix amplifier (240v version) and a radio have all been 'restricted' (the last despite Ebay in both the UK and US saying that the item was fine to post).

On questioning the reason for 'restriction' and the policy towards valves/tubes (which is not shown on Ebay) I was advised the following:

“Item contains amp tube(s) possibly manufactured pre-70s. In that era most lamps & tubes had mercury reflectors. Detailed specs not available. In absence of clear data ruling out the risk, item has been rated UN3506, Mercury contained in manufactured article. Class 8, Corrosive & Toxic. Restricted to all countries on our system”

I would suggest that, should you buy anything valve/tube related from the US via the GSP, you ask the seller to remove the valves/tubes and either post them separately via USPS or not at all.

Hope this helps

Regards

Adam

[BusyBee]

Thanks for the update. but I have not bought equipment from the US.

Is this likely to soon be general, or just a factor fro the US? I do get valves from Europe, and have had no problem up to now, but it would be good to know.

Tracy

[Nick]

This is an issue with eBay's Global Shipping program.

I run the Google NEONIXIE-L group which concentrates on cold cathode displays and CRT clocks etc.

Nixies contain Hg doping - a tiny amount - to control digit sputtering and thus prolong the life of the display from maybe 5 or 10,000 up to typically 200,000 hours. All but the earliest nixies are Hg doped with a few uGrams.

Nixies can be very expensive - some cost up to USD 1,000 or more but Global Shipping will just send them for destruction.

As a group we've avoided Global Shipping for a long time...

[boater sam]

I've had valves destroyed, they think the getter silver is mercury.

[Excessive Leakage]

I did try in vain to explain about the composition of flash getters, supported by http://www.thevalvepage.com/valvetek/getter/getter.htm, but it was always going to be hard work.

The GEC valve that was presumably destroyed was a boxed KT77 (that thankfully wasn't overly expensive)  

I'm hoping that this will only affect US purchases but as the GSP is rolled out more widely I fear that there will be more of this.

Regards

Adam

[Excessive Leakage]

Of course I meant to say: The GEC valve that was presumably destroyed was a boxed KT77 (which, to make things worse, wasn't overly expensive either)

[Diabolical Artificer]

Thanks for the heads up. what a stupid policy, like the PO and others policy on batteries. Solder flux is simarlarly affected as are aerosols.

Trying to reason with a big corp is like trying to bite yourself on the bum, I really hate the mindset behind it. GRRRRRHH!.

Andy.

[Crackle]

Ebay's own shipping system takes no account of packing costs, and it is dubious if items are insured, so if they are lost then the seller may loose out, we never use it if we sell something.
It was introduced so Ebay could justify charging commission on postage, they charge commission on all postage even when you arranged for your own courier, it is wrong.
Ebay will probably soon add a surcharge for "collection only" sales, as this type of sale is loosing them money.

Mike