Sparrin' Over the Sporran

[James MacMillan]

For what it's worth - and your experience may vary - I had an Uncle of mine just return from a visit, and he had with him a full faced Badger sporran, and upon entry, they had him fill out an affidavid stating that the sporran was made prior to 1994. Sign it and he was fine. He wore it several times and also had it in his baggs coming home and had no problems.

[BoldHighlander]

You know, I've heard of this before but had forgotten about it. What I'm wondering Jack, do you know who made your sporran? I'd suggest maybe getting something from them attesting that its legal(?)...

Of course, a broader question is why should this "law" affect sporrans made in the US / Canada where we maynot have such restrictions?

[The Wizard of BC]

You also need to remember that it is illegal to bring Seal and seal fur products into the US. So upon your return you may be stopped.

[BoldHighlander]

You also need to remember that it is illegal to bring Seal and seal fur products into the US. So upon your return you may be stopped.

Indeed... I was just looking thru one of my many kilt/Scottish goods catalogs (in this case Houston Traditional Kiltmakers) & they have the following regarding their fur sporrans:

"We cannot export seal skin sporrans to USA. So an alternative skin can be sent, e.g. Rabbit, Bovine (Cow), Mink, Chin Chilla, Racoon, Artic Fox, Angora, Horse hair."

I suppose those makers, like Lamont Sporrans who advertises a badger fur sporran, or Kilberry Sporrans whom has a full range of seal skin sporrans, have to jump thru some kind of legal hoops to use these hides, eh?

[Jack Daw]

You also need to remember that it is illegal to bring Seal and seal fur products into the US. So upon your return you may be stopped.

When I came back from Scotland and into the Newark airport my luggage was searched in Customs, so it's possible.