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.

 

[mark james]

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.

Customs issues are changing rapidly (In SOME areas). Preparing ahead (30-45 days) would be helpful. I suspect in most travels, there would be no issues, but if it was me I would want to research the issues ahead of close travel time.

Be well!

Edit: My wife was an Industrial Polymer Chemist (born/raised/educated southern Ohio). She needed to travel from Cleveland to a plant in New England (I'm not sure where). She was to inspect a portion of the plant. She was pre-trip fitted with a custom full head shield for fumes, with internal prescription lenses; about $650... She asked ahead of time if TSA would question her taking a 'gas mask' as a carry-on item! They said sure, no problem!!!!!

I suspect if she took out the 'gas mask' from her carry-on bag it might have been 'an issue.' If her name was not Nancy, but maybe 'Fatima' it may also have been 'an issue.'

I'd strongly encourage you to check with current travel guidelines. Probably no issues, but you want no surprises at the gate if you need to discard some pens for an abroad show.

Again, be well!

 

[Woodchipper]

Check with the airlines as they probably have different rules.

 

[Curly]

Haven't done it myself but I think you should be in touch with your customs and immigration, the destination countries and any along the way you might stop in. You're in the EU so unless you are leaving it should be straight forward.