U.S. Customs & Border Protection ....Seized my laser.... HELP!!

[flecom]

You have to realize that every laser product right down to Sony DVD players have accession numbers and have had their product reports submitted and approved. ALL laser products regardless of power and wavelength have a paperwork trail with the CDRH or they are not legal to sell here.

laser product, as in complete product, like I said, a true OEM product does not need an accession number, ex a laser diode can't have a variance

[Laser Wizardry]

" 15 characters"

[flecom]

Good point. I should have clarified that more in my post. I should also say that while it is technically true that an OEM product does not need an accession number, the government's definition of what an OEM laser is does tend to vary from our definition from time to time, which brings us back to the reality of our hobby/ industry where if they (customs) can plug it in or put batteries in and get a laser beam, it better have an accession number or it stands a chance of being seized in customs. Or worse, it makes it through but now YOU are on a red flag list. I've seen that happen where a guy gets his stupid laser pointer but then everything they ever order from overseas after that, even DVD's from ebay get held up for days while being inspected at customs before being released.

thats why I request they not include the SMPS when they ship the laser... if its more complicated than attaching a power cord or inserting batteries I think its reasonable to call it an OEM product

[slicklasers]

If you want to own any laser above 4.95mW in the USA you MUST HAVE A VARIANCE. Even if it is just for your home use. No US company may sell you a laser above 4.95mW unless you have a Variance. Any seller outside of the USA will sell you a laser, they just want your money, so if it makes it great, but if not, that is your bad for purchasing it without a variance.

[flecom]

If you want to own any laser above 4.95mW in the USA you MUST HAVE A VARIANCE. Even if it is just for your home use. No US company may sell you a laser above 4.95mW unless you have a Variance. Any seller outside of the USA will sell you a laser, they just want your money, so if it makes it great, but if not, that is your bad for purchasing it without a variance.

thats not correct... I can have a 1 billion watt laser inside a sealed enclosure and then its Class I (look at the sticker on your DVD burner)

also you do NOT variance lasers, you variance products... so if its a projector, you variance the projector... if its a lab laser (for real lab use) then you would variance the laser...

but saying "lasers must be varianced" is not entirely clear/accurate

[LaserGuy216]

so it states that I can petition for relief from the above liability, has anyone had to do this before, and if so what all do i need to do....when i get home Im going to type out the whole first page.....

[gottaluvlasers]

Slick-

You need to update yourself on Laser regs as you give incorrect information QUITE often. As with our interlock arguments of the past and the above statement you made regarding variances. I know you think you sound like a hot shot when you make claims like that but when you misdirect, misguide and/or mis quote laws and regulations you do nothin but perpetuate a scare tactic.

-Marc

[norty303]

Which is worrying when you offer to take money off people to get their projector varianced.

[j4cbo]

4.95mW

Would you care to cite the regulation which includes this oddly precise figure?

[LaserGuy216]

thanks for the thread jacking guys....

I only hope someone on the PL has had to deal with seized lasers like this before and can offer some kind of advice.....