3DRobotics temporarily stops shipments outside of US and Canada

Hi,

I have received the following email from 3DRobotics last night, my Iris quadocopter was already in France, at Fedex office for a delivery at home on monday. 3DRobotics say they cancel my order and will refund me, rhis mean they will ask Fedex to send back to product to the US, why such a decision for all customers ? Why cancelling a shipement when the parcel is nearly at your home ?

Here is the email I have received from 3DR

************************************************************************************************

Thanks for your order with 3DR. We're writing to let you know that, due to a temporary change in our shipping policies, we're unable to ship orders outside of the US and Canada. We'll be cancelling and refunding your order immediately. We're very sorry for the inconvenience, and we'll let you know when we can resume shipments to your country.

If you have any questions or would like to make modifications to your order, write to us at help@3drobotics.com or call our support line at +1 (858) 225-1414, Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm PST.

Sincerely,

The 3DR Team
************************************************** *******************

I have personally dealt with export controls in my business.

The law is very restrictive and what 3DR sells is clearly dual use technology.

The ITAR export laws have real teeth, It is all about the potential capability being sold, not where

it came from or where it was developed. It does not matter if its open source etc.... does not mater if its built in Mexico or the US, if a U.S. person is involved ANYWHERE in the chain of production and distribution they are subject to the U.S. ITAR laws.

Reminds me of the niemoller quote...

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out-- Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out-- Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out-- Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me--and there was no one left to speak for me.

Replies

- Matthew Kerle > Drone-University.com May 13, 2014 at 6:38pm
  
  thank you, great link.
- Rob J > Drone-University.com May 13, 2014 at 8:11am
  
  @Drone-University.com: While what was in that article may very well be what is behind 3DRs action, it is still speculation. AND, if it is, then why couldn't 3DR simply have said so?
- Drone-University.com > Drone-University.com May 13, 2014 at 6:41am
  
  As a French, I was reading this thread from a distance, as I thought that it was a typical US issue (you know, when you are a foreigner visiting the US, you are requested to fill a form and check marks : "Have you ever been involved in terrorism activities" yes/no, etc...)
  
  But when reading the Wassenaar Arrangement (http://www.wassenaar.org/participants/index.html), I am finding out that over 40 countries share the same dual-use goods and technologies list, of which France of course :-)
  
  Three comments :
  
  - So don't be too harsh with the USA gvt, this is an international treaty.
  
  - I am not a lawyer but dual-use technologies seem to include softwares used for UAVs...
  
  - I had never ever heard about this treaty before. Was it ever advertised ? It took place in 1995, almost 20 years from now !
  - Pierre Gibouin > Drone-University.com May 13, 2014 at 7:11am
    
    The question is why this arrangement is invoked only now by the US ? (if this is the case, we don't have any confirmation of that about the 3DR staff)
    
    In France and most in Europe, nobody know this treaty exists... Many people have created companies around UAV technologies and / or are using them for their businesses, this kind of limitation could create many problems for the jobs developpement and their own businesses.
    
    The governements should help to develop the UAV technologies and create economical growth by the way.
- Arachnida > Drone-University.com May 13, 2014 at 5:25am
  
  Funny to read that signing a paper not to re-export the goods to a country outside the list will refrein criminals from doing so. Has any law, religion or paper ever stopped people being killed by guns?
  - Pbreed > Arachnida May 13, 2014 at 5:58am
    
    I have personally dealt with export controls in my business.
    
    The law is very restrictive and what 3DR sells is clearly dual use technology.
    
    The ITAR export laws have real teeth, It is all about the potential capability being sold, not where
    
    it came from or where it was developed. It does not matter if its open source etc.... does not mater if its built in Mexico or the US, if a U.S. person is involved ANYWHERE in the chain of production and distribution they are subject to the U.S. ITAR laws.
    
    Reminds me of the niemoller quote...
    
    First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out-- Because I was not a Socialist.
    
    Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out-- Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
    
    Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out-- Because I was not a Jew.
    
    Then they came for me--and there was no one left to speak for me.
- Emin Bu > Drone-University.com May 13, 2014 at 5:04am
  
  This is link we need in this discussion,thank you
Pierre Gibouin May 13, 2014 at 3:35am

Do you know if other US flight controls resellers have the same limitations for exportation ? I find very strange nothing is said about that in the specialized news of UAV communities... If this is a public US restriction, evrybody should be informed officially by the authorites
armen t May 13, 2014 at 1:04am

bet this is why....

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2014/0512/A-nightmare-be...

IRAN CLAIMING THEY COPIED OUR DRONE
- mP1 > armen t May 13, 2014 at 5:51am
  
  Your right, its your tax money being wasted on chasing phantom enemies that dont exist, instead of doing cool stuff like going to Mars.

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3DRobotics temporarily stops shipments outside of US and Canada

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