Taking pens abroad for a pen show and handling customs?

[brainick]

Hi everyone,

I'm curious how other pen makers handle customs when traveling internationally to attend a pen show.

If you take a number of your handmade pens with you, sell some of them at the show, and bring the unsold ones back home, how do you normally handle customs?

Do you declare the pens when leaving and entering the country? I'd especially love to hear from makers who regularly travel to pen shows in other countries and have first-hand experience with this.


Thanks!

Ahmet

 

[mark james]

I've not done this, but have considered it with the IAP Collection. A few thoughts.

1. Be mindful of wood/timber species if they are restricted by CITIES guidelines.
2. No 'Bullet pen kits' as they may not pass inspections.
3. Be mindful of fountain pens with filled ink - transport empty or Nib up.
4. No Tactical pens - those with sharp tips, glass breaking ability.
5. If for personal use or a small number of gifts - usually OK. If for sales at shows you may need to adhere to duty free declarations and standards and import regulations and taxes, etc.

Be well!

 

[brainick]

I've not done this, but have considered it with the IAP Collection. A few thoughts.

1. Be mindful of wood/timber species if they are restricted by CITIES guidelines.
2. No 'Bullet pen kits' as they may not pass inspections.
3. Be mindful of fountain pens with filled ink - transport empty or Nib up.
4. No Tactical pens - those with sharp tips, glass breaking ability.
5. If for personal use or a small number of gifts - usually OK. If for sales at shows you may need to adhere to duty free declarations and standards and import regulations and taxes, etc.

Be well!

Thank you for advice Mark! Noted. I am really confused if I have to declare them to the customs. Hope somebody here has experience about it.

 

[Woodchipper]

Also consider the monetary exchange rate for the host country.

 

[moke]

I took a bunch of acrylic pens to Monte Carlo via Nice , France....I had zero issues...but I was on a private jet.