My $300 mistake

[ccga3359]

If USF&WS charged anyone, it would be the importer (nameless shop) for knowingly importing product (sealskin sporran) prohibited by the Marine Mammals Protection Act (THE LAW). Oh, and they would take your sporran away as evidence.

If you're really concerned, call up the Cincinnati/Erlanger office for Fish and Wildlife and ask if they'll take a look at it. Of course, you may end up losing your sporran that way ...

Gary
who fondly remembers seizing all those sea turtle boots ...

Gary when did this seal ban come into effect and what about all the seal products purchased before that date? As I'm noting that Rex's intial post was twenty years ago .

[Wompet]

Oh, right Well, Rex could take his family heirloom, which would have been grandfathered in before the MMPA went into effect, and USF&WS couldn't (or shouldn't) seize, and ask if there would be any problems travelling internationally with it ...

[ccga3359]

Oh, right Well, Rex could take his family heirloom, which would have been grandfathered in before the MMPA went into effect, and USF&WS couldn't (or shouldn't) seize, and ask if there would be any problems travelling internationally with it ...

And further had this store imported it prior to the ban could they not still sell it?

[Wompet]

Imported prior to the ban ... that would be kind of iffy. You would think they would have re-exported the goods for a refund or product they could sell legally, unless inventory was so small that returns would have been cost prohibitive ...
And I don't recall when the Act went into effect (it's been at least twenty years since we started harping about your seals, hasn't it?), the factor of time would have to be considered ...

Can anyone guess what I do when I'm not on vacation?

[robthehiker]

Of course, you may end up losing your sporran that way ...

And your kilt too as it's an accessory...

[DTrain]

Hey I see a solution to a problem here:
Rude shopkeeper in Ashville
Potentially illegal goods
XMarkers who have some customs background. . .

If somehow, the rude shopkeeper in Ashville wound up with sealskin sporrans, she could get jail time, or shut down, right? Hmmmm. . . .
Or perhaps we stage a mass XMarks protest and take over her shop!

[Sean_the_Kilted]

Does it actually says on the sporran that its seal skin? or did you just assume it is based on look and feel? Unless you specifically stove it in the face of a fish and game guy or wear it to the Fish and Game Ball, I doubt anyone would ever question it. Most law enforcement officals are ignorant of the seal skin ban. If you ever get questioned on it claim A)Its a family Heirloom (50 plus years old) B)That cow skin made to look like seal. There are lots of good fake things out there. Enjoy the sporran. Don't stress about it too much.

[Rex_Tremende]

Does it actually says on the sporran that its seal skin? or did you just assume it is based on look and feel? [...] If you ever get questioned on it claim A)Its a family Heirloom (50 plus years old) B)That cow skin made to look like seal.

Let's just say that the stick-on label on the box it came in does not say imitation seal. I'm going to go with (C), should the situation ever arise.

Regards,
Rex.

[Sean_the_Kilted]

Let's just say that the stick-on label on the box it came in does not say imitation seal. I'm going to go with (C), should the situation ever arise.

.

What is option C?

[turpin]

Let's just say that the stick-on label on the box it came in does not say imitation seal. I'm going to go with (C), should the situation ever arise.

Regards,
Rex.

no worries Rex. I was in the store on Tuesday and the owner remembered you and said it was a cowhide sporran. Well, that's what he said all right.