So I own a seal skin sporran...

**Lallans** · 31st March 11, 09:35 AM

Now I'm wondering if sealskin is really in play here. Thinking back to when I ordered my own sealskin sporran from Scotland, there was a warning that any orders sent to the USA would be made from cowhide. All the OP has to do is to say he was told it was cowhide, and what's more it very likely is. What business is going to risk the wrath of US Customs on such an issue?

**Drac** · 31st March 11, 11:00 AM

If it helps I ran into a similar experience with a piece of walrus tusk. Was told it was preban but the tusk didn't come with the metal tag required on registered pieces.

I contacted a dealer who specializes in ivory (if I can draw a parallel) and asked him about the tusk and how I registered it. He said that the ones and twos aren't the issue with the goverment. Not that it was or wasn't illegal but unless you have a garage full of the stuff they were not likely to come down on someone or unless you go waving it in their faces such as taking it across a national border.

Jim

**Lallans** · 31st March 11, 11:14 AM

I'm guessing that is perfectly correct, Drac, and all the OP would have to be careful about is leaving the USA and then reentering with the sporran. Supposing it isn't cowhide.

Off topic as usual, I remember looking at a walking stick some years back, made from a narwhale tusk, and fitted with a muskox horn handle and a walrus tusk ferrule. Supposing I could have afforded the $1000.00 asking price, all I would have had to do to cause an international incident would have been to put on my sealskin sporran and then drive with the stick to within 10 km of the US border !

**Calico** · 31st March 11, 11:43 AM

I'll trade you my definitely bovine sporran for your probably bovine sporran.

**Brian K** · 31st March 11, 11:49 AM

Originally Posted by Canuck of NI

I'm guessing that is perfectly correct, Drac, and all the OP would have to be careful about is leaving the USA and then reentering with the sporran. Supposing it isn't cowhide.

There is a member here who has written about leaving the U.S., and returning, with legal sealskin sporrans and having never had any trouble with them. The lesson being, I believe, don't call attention to it! If you don't make a big deal about this very very nice bovine sporran you'll be OK.

Take a deep breath and relax, and for Pete's sake - don't ask and don't tell!

**Spartan Tartan** · 31st March 11, 12:15 PM

Are you absolutely certain it's sealskin? Just saying...

And as for international travel, if you were to take your kilt get up, I for one would not necessarily bring my "favorite" or nicest sporran. I'd take something less expensive in case the airport lost my luggage.

Leave it at that.

**auld argonian** · 31st March 11, 02:07 PM

Originally Posted by Brian K

There is a member here who has written about leaving the U.S., and returning, with legal sealskin sporrans and having never had any trouble with them. The lesson being, I believe, don't call attention to it! If you don't make a big deal about this very very nice bovine sporran you'll be OK.

Take a deep breath and relax, and for Pete's sake - don't ask and don't tell!

Sure...easy for YOU to say...you don't have that vicious airport beagle sniffing at your crotch and barking "we have a violation!" in beagle talk....book him, Dano!

Best

AA

**OftKilted** · 2nd April 11, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by auld argonian

Sure...easy for YOU to say...you don't have that vicious airport beagle sniffing at your crotch and barking "we have a violation!" in beagle talk....book him, Dano!

Best

AA

The beagles would only attack if you had food there ... you know ... say you were smuggling a haggis in ... or something ...