Export blocked.

[tonfarka_1]

Hi all

my second post on this subject. I hope someone can help thanks. an order I made for two Swords in the US has been cancelled by Ebay shipping, it says export blocked. The reply I had earlier on here (thanks!) was that if I have now been refunded that's the end of the matter... but I've just spoken to the seller, he has been told he may not get the Swords back. So he will be down hundreds of dollars when he has done nothing wrong. The law for Swords sent to the UK is although blades are generally prohibited, blades made before 1954 have an exemption, antique historical items et cetera. The two Swords I've bought are both pre-1920 they have exemptions they're allowed to be sent to the UK.
Whereas I may have accepted the mistake and taken the refund reluctantly I find that to be impossible now. For me not to get the Swords the seller not to receive them back and two antique swords to disappearing into some customs locker is not acceptable. I'm asking again if anyone can think of any process or any contact number within Ebay or E Mail perhaps so I can explain and hopefully successfully explain why in fact they can be sent to UK.

The chat system goes round in a loop on this subject and the agent callback is not available it appears outside the US and Canada 🤷‍♂️

Again any advice or help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[tobiasd4]

If item is allowed to be exported by GSP, buyer gets refund, seller keeps money.

Item then belongs to GSP who usually send it to an auction house to recover their loses.

So neither you or seller loses out financially. 

[tonfarka_1]

The shame is I want the swords but for now I'm concerned for the seller.

Just to confirm please , if they keep the swords then he will get refunded also? 
thanks

[tonfarka_1]

Actually it says export not allowed but i'm assuming it is UK rules that will be the problem. I've bought swords through eBay before and received them , one was from the US.

this is why I'd love to be able to talk to someone, it's so frustrating because it should not be a problem at all . 🤷‍♂️

[papso22]

Neither buyer nor seller will be out of pocket,  assuming the US deals with this in the same way ebay uk would.

The swords may end up being sold by ebay US in America as they now belong to them.

[jckl1957]

If the import has been blocked, as stated, you get a refund and the seller gets to keep the payment you made.

Laws on importing bladed items have recently been tightened up and there is not anybody you can talk to in order to receive the items you bought - this decision would not have been made by Ebay.

[tonfarka_1]

Thanks everyone for your input, I have made some progress. I was fortunate enough to receive a call back from Ebay in the US having persisted with the automated question answer system. The lady kindly took an interest in the situation.

the situation as I summed it up to her...

the blade is legal to be imported to the UK as it pre-dates 1954.

the blade is legal to be exported from the US.

the seller followed the correct procedure, specifically listing it as an antique in the listing.

the decision to block export was made by Ebay in the sorting centre but in my opinion without justification.

and finally due to the nature of the items I would not be able to replace them.

She has kindly reported the issue to Ebay international and the seller, not me, will be contacted by them in the next day or two (or three).

I think I've done all I can, now I just have to wait and see what happens.

Again thanks everyone,

tony 🍻