Dress sporran or junk?

**Wompet** · 18th November 05, 05:02 PM

First, on the legality of sealskin sporrans:
Yes, Native Americans and Aboriginals can hunt fur seals and use their skins to manufacture things (the seals' skins, not the NAs'). They can also hunt whales (within limits), possess bald eagle feathers and talons, and use peyote in religious ceremonies, all of which are highly illegal for us latecomers. Not being critical or racist; just stating some facts.

In the United States, North American fur seals are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which is enforced by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and US Customs (the Men In Blue). There are also South African fur seals, which are protected under the International Convention for Trade of Endangered Species (CITES). There are also populations of seals and/or sea lions in Scotland; I don't know if these are protected or not.

Knowing this, here's roughly what will happen if you try to bring sealskin into the US (I can't speak for any other country). If you try to bring it in personally and declare it, it will be confiscated by Customs to turn over to Fish & Wildlife. If you don't declare it, and it's found, it will be confiscated and you will be spanked. If you try to mail it, it will be caught at a Customs' interntional mail division, where it will be confiscated (and you may still be charged duty). Thinking UPS, FedEX, or DHL - they still have to declare all international shipments to Customs, and if they get caught mismanifesting something (like forgetting the "sealskin" part of "sealskin sporran"), then they can get some serious fines levied against them - and Fish & Wildlife will take your sporran.

There are alternatives - I know McRok ships bovine hair sporrans to the US that look like sealskin.

Second, on the sporran itself, and I apologize for not posting this before Robin bought his. I have handled one of the ones confiscated by US FWS (the FWS inspector didn't know what it was

). The opening under the cantle was barely over three inches across, and the whole sporran (including cantle) was about nine inches in length. There was no gusset between front and back, so there was no room for expansion. I know it's supposed to be a dress sporran, but IMHO those dimensions are too small for it to be functional.

**David Thornton** · 18th November 05, 05:13 PM

Hamish, I suspect you are correct as that is where I traced the pictures to.
David

**davedove** · 18th November 05, 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by Archangel

Other established retailers do point out the sealskin issue so it is real.

You're right, many sites do this. The ones I've seen usually say something like "A substitute will be made on all US shipments."

**Robin** · 18th November 05, 05:21 PM

Argh!!!

I hope it won't be that bad...otherwise...a lesson learned :-(

When I get it (prolly within a week) I'll post a full report with some detail pictures, the measurements and my (noobish) impression

**Robin** · 19th November 05, 09:29 AM

I did some research...

It's indeed from "Clan Albanach" South Queensferry.

I found another online trader who has the same (although no sealskin version)

Zoomorphic / Thistle Design Top. A full evening dress sporran. Also available in white or grey Rabbit and Grey or White Bovine. Suitable for export to the United States of America. Price includes chain strap and Carriage Worldwide
Chrome Finish £120.00 Add to your order (Select Colour):

Dunedin Highlandwear

I feel somewhat better now

**beerbecue** · 1st July 08, 10:32 AM

I know for a fact that one of the XMarks sponsors used to sell sporrans that were most definitely sealskin to customers in the US...

If you look on the site now, there are pictures of sealskin sporrans that are for sale on the dress sporran page..

If I am not mistaken, it is the importation of such items, not the domestic sale or possession that is illegal....

Anyway.......

**Morris at Heathfield** · 2nd July 08, 02:47 AM

If you buy an item you found on the Internet, and that item has to cross the borders of your country in order to reach your doorstep, you are an importer.

Now, if you can get a sealskin sporran delivered to your doorstep without trouble, then maybe you no longer have anything to worry about. But, if you're expecting that sporran to ever make it to your doorstep, you're essentially hoping that customs doesn't do its job.