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Post by Cassida on Aug 25, 2015 11:14:55 GMT -8
Hi, I am looking for entomologist(s) from N. America interested in noncommercial exchange of insects (beetles mainly). I can get and send a large number of species from Europe an I would like to obtain some species from N. America. No money needed, everybody pay the shipment only. In case of your interest (or interest of some your friend) let me know please. Personal recommendations is everytime the best way (this is the main reason why I do not write my offer in the section Classifieds).
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Post by Chris Grinter on Aug 26, 2015 22:05:53 GMT -8
Unfortunately "trading" does equal commercial import in the eyes of US Fish and Wildlife. There is no such thing as "non-commercial trades". Please review regulations here: www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?rgn=div5;node=50%3A1.0.1.2.8Review the laws before importing/exporting. From the code: "Commercial means related to the offering for sale or resale, purchase, trade, barter, or the actual or intended transfer in the pursuit of gain or profit, of any item of wildlife and includes the use of any wildlife article as an exhibit for the purpose of soliciting sales, without regard to quantity or weight. There is a presumption that eight or more similar unused items are for commercial use. The Service or the importer/exporter/owner may rebut this presumption based upon the particular facts and circumstances of each case." If you exchange more than 8 items it will likely be flagged by FWS (the interpretation of "similar" and "unused" are up to the discretion of the officer). |
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Post by joee30 on Aug 27, 2015 12:05:54 GMT -8
This is stupid! Used to have good trades with friends in Spain and France and got a lot of bugs. They just want to make it harder to enjoy the hobby, and get money too.
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Post by exoticimports on Aug 27, 2015 12:22:18 GMT -8
In English it's called Racketeering. But lots are things are legal, if you're the government.
From Wikipedia:
A racket is a service that is fraudulently offered to solve a problem, such as for a problem that does not actually exist, that will not be put into effect, or that would not otherwise exist if the racket did not exist. Conducting a racket is racketeering.[1] Particularly, the potential problem may be caused by the same party that offers to solve it, although that fact may be concealed, with the specific intent to engender continual patronage for this party
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Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2015 10:10:05 GMT -8
What if you are giving them to someone? No trading or money changing hands. Simply a gift of common non protected species.
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Post by ornithorchid on Aug 28, 2015 13:43:07 GMT -8
Welcome to USA my brothers... and sisters.
Every opportunity is a good reason to screw you... b***s deep!
I have been living here for 10 years now.
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Post by Cassida on Aug 28, 2015 18:05:17 GMT -8
Welcome to USA my brothers... and sisters. Every opportunity is a good reason to screw you... b***s deep!...  On the other hand, everywhere people can find some "official assholes". I don´t see very big problem. When package with insects stops on the border, then we must solve the problem (no before). The probability is not so high. But - no one from this phorum has contacted me It seems that nobody wants the exchange of the beetles  |
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Post by ornithorchid on Aug 28, 2015 19:03:09 GMT -8
Sorry. I only do Eupholus for beetles.
I don't have much to exchange.
Do you have Eupholus to exchange? Send me a message.
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Post by bichos on Aug 29, 2015 2:36:28 GMT -8
What if you are giving them to someone? No trading or money changing hands. Simply a gift of common non protected species. How would you prove that??? Not a chance. Thy shall be screwed! |
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Post by jshuey on Aug 29, 2015 7:39:29 GMT -8
What if you are giving them to someone? No trading or money changing hands. Simply a gift of common non protected species. As a various generous person, I often give people gifts of specimens. Sometimes, they return the favor. I've never had a problem with this system. John |
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Post by joee30 on Aug 30, 2015 1:37:18 GMT -8
That's what I usually do with friends in Spain, but with the new stupid rules and bylaws, they probably start cracking down on people just enjoying the hobby.  ? |
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Post by Chris Grinter on Aug 30, 2015 14:47:25 GMT -8
As John mentions the law does allow for gifts and scientific exchanges (to accredited institutions) free of permits. If you're sending a box of gifted specimens overseas you need to complete a 3-177 form for the USFWS. It's not too complicated, and you can do this online now for free: www.fws.gov/le/declaration-form-3-177.htmlThe form allows for a "personal" purpose to send specimens, and sending gifts qualify for this. You need to be careful to write "gift of specimens, non-commercial, non-exchange, no protected species, non-CITES". Be sure to include the tracking number (=waybill #) on the 3-177 form. What they call commercial includes quid pro quo exchanges, where you specify you are sending one thing in exchange for another. This might apply to entire lots of material as well as individual specimens. By specifying something gets traded for something else assigns a value and therefore makes it commercial. But if you're sending a few boxes of material a few times a year over seas in hopes of a friend returning the favor then I don't see how that would be considered commercial. If you start doing this a lot and are flagged by USFWS they can subpoena your emails, confiscate your material, and build a case against you! If you are at all in doubt call your local field office and speak to an agent about sending gifts of non-protected species overseas. |
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Post by joee30 on Sept 1, 2015 17:23:22 GMT -8
Oh ok. I get it now. I was afraid they'd just tear the box open then get me in trouble over common species. That would suck. I mean I'm just trading bugs as a friendly gesture and the specimens are going in my collection, and some are going to the University of Nevada, Reno' bug collection I've been working on. Lol
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Post by Cassida on Sept 2, 2015 1:45:42 GMT -8
To ornithorchid - sorry, I can exchange beetles mainly from Europe. And mainly well known and "popular" families (like: Cerambycidae, Carabidae, Buprestidae, Scarabaeoidea,...). If somebody ask, I can get some "less popular" families (I can catch something or ask the friends,...). On somebody's order I can to try to get also species from whole of the world (or I can facilitate the exchange or arrange the sale with other specialists from CZ).
I have good experience with sending beetles to USA or Canada (selling on eBay). But - it was mostly sending to some university, or campus. Everytime I was written something like: "Dried insects for scientific use with no commerical value". Never problem (yet?). It should be a good idea to ask some friends, if the package can be sent to "office" like university (it should prevent potentional problems),... If somebody want to try the exchange, send the PM with email contact please,...
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