Global Shipping Restricting Collectables from UK

[wehbejwe-ip1ft2qoj]

In the last month I have had 2 one hundred tear old Boer War pipes being stopped at Global Shipping.  These are 120 year old Briar pipes and listed under Category Tobacanna.

There is no reason to restrict these items.  The are antiques.  The message says I wi get a refund and the item will not be returned to the seller.  This is disappointing to a collector and unfair!  If sent regular international post I would have received these pipes.  Such a scam!  What do they do with the confiscated items?

[retrogames10000]

Sounds like a tobaccana collector works at customs!

[slippinjimmy]

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@wehbejwe-ip1ft2qoj wrote:

What do they do with the confiscated items?

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They liquidate them in an attempt to get back some of the money that they will refund to you.

[mn467462]

Ebay is the absolute worst 

[wehbejwe-ip1ft2qoj]

Who liquidate's them? 

[lacemaker3]

@wehbejwe-ip1ft2qoj, antique pipes have been considered restricted for GSP for several years, according to google search.

You're registered in the USA, so assuming that you are purchasing these from the UK, restricted items are resold on eBay UK, but with domestic shipping (in the UK) only. They reuse the same pictures and (probably) the title and description as well, so you can search for them if you use a shipping address in the UK.

If you want to purchase pipes from the UK, you would need to find a seller who doesn't use eBay GSP, or get a forwarding company in the UK to use as your shipping address.

[serious_coder]

The same thing just happened to me:

"We are writing to inform you that your recent transaction sold through the Global Shipping Program to [xxxx] cannot be completed.
The item was stopped at the Global Shipping Center and has been restricted from international shipment. The item is being returned to you. You will not be charged for the return shipping. "

The item in question?

Antique Staffordshire Blue Flower Childs Pearlware Cup and Saucer c 1820

being shipping to Japan. To be clear: Pearlware is a kind of earthenware, ie the cup and saucer are made of clay. This is NOT a restricted item, nor is Japan a restricted destination.

Anyone have any theories as to what the %&#@! just happened?