Just wondering if anyone outside of the US has had any issues with ordering stuff from them? I have had items from them in the past but for some reason when I put an order in recently I received this reply:

Hi Rob,

Due to the complexity of U.S. export regulations, McMaster-Carr accepts international orders only from our established customers. This decision also applies to orders shipping within the United States, because it is based on the final destination of the items. We cannot accept this order or future orders.

Christopher

Rob.

They probably just watched "Four Lions" and think you are going to make a weapon of mass flatulence.

Well, not sure how you become an established customer if they are not going to send you any more orders[:@]

Rob.

Rob, this is from their Terms and Conditions:

Does that mean you've failed the evaluation process?

Their response doesn't make sense to me either; they're saying they won't ship within the US?? Really?? And if you've ordered before then surely you're already an established customer? I think that's just a fob off set of excuses.

Maybe your previous order history does not meet a minimum order value threshold for them to see you as a 'customer' worth accepting ?

marcs

I managed to book, payfor and have an order shipped to my US PO box only to have the order recalled and my card credited - problem is with the exchange differential I lost 5% in the process. Asked McMaster for compensation but got nothing in reply.

I don't understand the issue with the export - its not military spec stuff or anything?

PaulD

Call them...

I just have and don't want to publish the response as its not up the the usual customer service you get from US based companies which is world renown :-(

I typed a lengthy post with the conversation detailed but decided it may be considered a little to harsh so cancelled it. End result is 'some' goods from an order, and they wont tell you which ones as a 'special' department (which you cannot talk to) decide on the outcome, just wont be approved or shipped. They cannot mark these items on the web site either so you don't know until your order is rejected and even then you cannot find out which products caused the issue [:@]

All very crazy in a modern world.....

marcs

If you guys lay out what you ordered... you may be able to figure out what triggered the recall/cancellation.

I work for a company that exports a lot of products to Europe and Asia. Everything that goes out has to have an HTS Code assigned (Harmonized Tariff Schedule) The website to search for the correct code never has something that fits what you are exporting exactly. You have the make the effort to find the "closest fit". It's a real "PITA" and a major time sink.

Given that they sell a lot of really low value items they proibably figured that it wasn't worth the effort to classify this stuff for export.

Bob

Well if its something you have to have just find a US friend to order and reship.

If it goes USPS... and the value of the box is less than $2500... it can be exempt.

From the USPS site:

If the value of your shipment is less than $2,500, enter "NOEEI 30.37(a).



Unless you are trying to ship oil or other Hazmat items... I would think that's a catch all for most orders.

Thanks for the comments, yes, it was only a couple of low value everyday items which I've had from them before on occasion, just over $20 in value. I'm quite happy to pay what should be a modest international shipping cost on them. If the order value is too low for them to be bothered then maybe they should just have a minimum order value?

Rob.

I live in Wisconsin, they are in Illinois, I called them last week at 4:30pm and they exported the fuel tubing I needed over the boarder and it arrived the next day by 2:00 pm

There used to be an outfit in London I believe (Buck and Hickman?) that as I remember were similar to McMaster Carr. Are they not still around?

I had similar problems with McMaster Carr in ordering small  hardware due to regulations on importing hardware into Canada. McMaster actually called me up at work and told me my order could not be filled.

Jim

I jest shipped some heli parts UPS to Puerto Rico

NEVER NEVER Again.

based on this I understand why they will not ship $20 worth of parts and it costs them $50 in paperwork and time.

Another company where the customer comes last. Obviously not a recession where they are.

Surely given the state of the world economy this sort of thing needs to be simplified

Well thats not quite true, they are great to deal with. Unfortunately thats not the case for international customers.

Between the rampant fruad, and paperwork/import hassles, one can hardly blame them.

Possibly due to the frustration people have of getting hold of stuff!

If it were easier to export/import I bet a bunch of cash this 'problem' would fast evaporate..........

marcs

Wanna bet...
Its illegal to export any product that contains a mems gyro or encryption capability to many countries. This prohibits me from purchasing bluetooth and wifi equipment made in China but sold from the US.
Online orders from Digikey, Mauser etc are automatically blocked based on your location. So I order from the EU instead....
Of course smartphones have all this stuff and can be purchased anywhere.
Its just too big a risk for these companies to break the law so just rather dont sell to you. Its normally not a big market for them outside the US.
http://www.bis.doc.gov/licensing/exportingbasics.htm

It should be possible to 'mark' items which may have export restrictions on the site so at least you have some chance of knowing what may stop your order from shipping?

marcs

You could try these guys. Not sure if they have as extensive a catalogue as McMaster-Carr but they will supply world wide (or at least that is what they told me 18 mnths ago)

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/start.shtml 

And of course there is always these guys (not good for hard core industrial stuff)

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/ 

Cheers.