UPSB v3

Regular Pen Discussion / German RSVP Struggle

Import is illegal!

  1. taichi1082
    Date: Thu, Nov 29 2007 18:42:38

    Hey guys.

    Several GPC Members just found the reason why we can't buy RSVPs in Germany. There is a special law for Pens and its forbidden to sell pens with no security cap (compare the lead of a HGG with the lead of a RSVP... you will notice a difference/i'm not sure about this!)
    After asking Pentel Germany, they affirmed this. So what now? Its even illegal to import RSVPs from penwish.com!

  2. KinXiom
    Date: Fri, Nov 30 2007 00:54:20

    I still dont get what a security cap is.

  3. NoRice4U
    Date: Fri, Nov 30 2007 01:00:51

    doesnt the lead of an hgg look like that because its a gel pen....? and the rsvp because its a ballpoint ink pen

  4. yxTay
    Date: Fri, Nov 30 2007 02:30:57

    So, couldn't other versions of RSVP's be used? Like the gel versions. Yeah, they aren't exactly the same, but if you've got no other choice, you'd have to make do with it. Or, you just do the illegal stuff.

    Any particular reason for the new law?

  5. Tim
    Date: Fri, Nov 30 2007 08:02:36

    Dude, that sucks, you might have to find a smuggler tongue.gif

    WTH is the security cap?

  6. WhiteFang
    Date: Fri, Nov 30 2007 09:59:12

    hey! that happened to my country..except it happened with drugs..not pens..

  7. Adrenaline
    Date: Sun, Dec 2 2007 04:00:15

    WOW THAT IS SO GAY
    That is one of the most ridiculous laws on international transfers that I"ve ever heard.
    Why the hell would Germany care so much as to what kind of pens are used in the country anyway?

  8. The Saint
    Date: Mon, Dec 3 2007 00:04:58

    actually it's not a new law. the thing is just that we've discovered it .. hmm.. "a little late" mellow.gif

    this is very confusing stuff and I'm not sure if it's to our advantage to discuss it (here or wherever). well, at least it seems that a cap is good enough for german security if you can swallow it or stick it in your nose and you're still able to breath through little holes in the cap (you can practice with comssa caps e.g.).
    but it's the same for sailors or other stuff. no "breath-through-caps"... I'm not entirely sure if this all is correct,feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. wink.gif

  9. K4S
    Date: Mon, Dec 3 2007 00:11:49

    So then how do you have HGG? You certainly cant breath through hgg caps...

  10. Square
    Date: Mon, Dec 3 2007 00:15:24

    You could always fly to another country, and shove them up... and get back on the plane.
    If you are desperate enough.


    Or... perhaps find another way to smuggle them.


    Could you find and post the actual law?

  11. UEDan
    Date: Mon, Dec 3 2007 00:20:05

    I'm pretty sure you'll be able to find a smuggler here:
    http://www.upsb.info/forum/index.php?showforum=16

  12. darkeh
    Date: Mon, Dec 3 2007 00:39:32

    So would us non-Germans get in trouble for sending these types of pens there?

  13. Square
    Date: Mon, Dec 3 2007 00:44:07

    If I thought of a good way, I wouldn't mind sending you RSVPs in hidden packaging of some sort.

    Provided the cost of the shipping and pens were covered.

  14. K4S
    Date: Mon, Dec 3 2007 00:49:44

    If they're worried about retarded children shoving them up their nose and suffocating then wouldnt a simple solution be to just drill holes at the tips of the cap, remove the ball and then just ship it that way?

  15. UEDan
    Date: Mon, Dec 3 2007 07:27:31

    QUOTE (darkeh @ Dec 2 2007, 04:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
    So would us non-Germans get in trouble for sending these types of pens there?


    Yeah, them Germans have nothing better to do but check every package labeled "pens"

  16. Sfsr
    Date: Mon, Dec 3 2007 16:30:01

    I don't think this is an enforced law exactly, just the reasone why it isn't openly sold in Germany.

  17. patrick
    Date: Mon, Dec 3 2007 16:58:29

    yeah, it's rly confusing and here are some more confusing informations:

    1. there is the law that pen caps must have some holes or something like that. so little children won't suffocate if they eat caps confusedsmilie.gif

    2. sunbursts are sold in germany - although they're similar to RSVPs! huh(1).gif ...

    3. we're "smuggling" RSVP for several years and there never were problems. (there could emerge problems because MBH is importing many RSVPs because he'll open a shop but we'll see...)

  18. nateiskewl
    Date: Mon, Dec 3 2007 17:34:50

    Lol, I sent 2 packs of RSVP Colors to Germany. It clearly stated on the customs slip in the item(s) section: PENS.

    And seriously, there have probably been thousands of RSVP trades in Germany, and no-one has found out yet. Just keep doing it. The worst you could get would be a small fine, probably.

    Also, do you have a translation of this law from a German government website or something? I'm sure a lot of people would want to see it.

    EDIT: RSVP caps can't even fit up someone's nose. WTF.
    EDIT: Yes I tried.
    EDIT: Maybe if I did a goatse with my nose...

  19. patrick
    Date: Mon, Dec 3 2007 17:48:20

    @nate: about 3cm under your nose is a hole in which the caps fit tongue.gif

    I once got the correct law but I probably deleted it 3 weeks ago >_>

  20. nateiskewl
    Date: Mon, Dec 3 2007 19:30:23

    You must have a black nose. Are you related to Huroni?

  21. Sfsr
    Date: Mon, Dec 3 2007 20:20:44

    3 cm under your nose = mouth, nate :P And as I wrote earlier; THIS LAW ISN'T BEING ENFORCED. I doubt mailing small amounts of pens will ever make a problem, a shop might however.

  22. gizzardsmack
    Date: Mon, Dec 3 2007 21:43:42

    interesting to know atleast. hope no one gets in trouble

  23. TheHOINK
    Date: Mon, Dec 17 2007 02:16:33

    Hello, and a wondefull (whatever daytime you might be reading this...)

    I am a pen collector, comic artist, and pen smuggler...

    No, seriously, Pentel and the police confirmed, it can not be illegal to import / export pencils you can buy officially. It just might be that they are not sold in a certain country.

    my pen collection prooves it happy.gif....

    By the way, hello to the thread starter in munich....


    TheHOINK