Hello all, If you want to sell or purchase a lamp to or from overseas buyers and sellers, if you use Global Shipping from the UK your lamp will be confiscated. This isn't the first time that this has happened to me, but this time I did get an answer as to why here is the Email word for word, directly from them and copied from my Email. My name is Doireann from eBay Global Shipping team. Thank you for contacting us regarding 'Vintage Tilley Lamp Please Read'. I understand this item has been classified as restricted and I'm more than happy to assist. You may or may not be aware that we are partnered with Pitney Bowes for our international deliveries. We oversee the sale of the item, and they oversee the shipping and item logistics. They review items which comes through the UK Shipping Centre to make sure it can be shipped and (as in this case) retain it if it can’t. I have consulted with Pitney Bowes, and they have provided the below: Shipment contains a used Tilley lamp. Considered hazard material due to possible fuel residue. Restricted to all countries by air transport. By preventing the item being sent at this early stage we were able to inform both you and your seller that the item will not be delivered, and a full refund issued to you from eBay. This is what eBay had to say. RESTRICTED ITEM Dear Brian, We're sorry to let you know that your recent purchase through the Global Shipping Program from ? can't be completed. The item in question has been deemed restricted. This could be due to import/postage restrictions or eligibility requirements within the Global Shipping Program. The item won't be sent to you, nor returned to your seller. Don't worry! Your full refund will be processed back to the original payment method within 72 hours. You may notice two separate refunds; a refund for the item and a refund for the postage and import costs. No further action is needed. Not happy
Happened to me too. My beef is with the bay of evil. My question is: Why does the bay of evil allow a sale of the lantern/lamp outside of Great Britain knowing that it I’ll be sent via Global Shipping? Sure the buyers get their money back, but as I understand, the seller loses the item with no compensation. Annoyed with the bay of evil. Pete
Has happened twice to me. First was a gas (real gas) Tilley iron and I presumed because it was a gas item. Second was a Tilley LT1. The Tilley LT1 later was offered and sold on eBay but on the occasion after the confiscation it was from another ebay seller, not the one that had sold it to me. I won't touch UK sales now unless I see that it is going Royal mail. I was offered an alternative approach for future purchases courtesy of some helpful CPL UK based members. Perhaps an added declaration from the seller is required that they have fully emptied the fount and washed and dried it in accordance with best practice standards.
My very good lampie friend in Scotland has facilitated the delivery of items to me that were bought on the bay of many evils. With his permission, I get it delivered to him and then he to me. This setup has worked well. Cheers Pete
Yes - I sent one to Oz (a member here) - Royal Mail - with no issues. A thought - if it is dismantled for packing and the tank cleaned/dry - is it still a lantern or lantern spares...
My lamps are always dismantled (although I recently forgot to empty a tank and was given negative feedback) but I never declare them as oil/paraffin/pressure lamps, or even use the word lamp if I can avoid it. I will never use the Global Shipping but always have to remember not to tick it on the listing.
It's even worse. When a sheet of metal came into contact with fuel (at any time) it is a dangerous item and it will ever be a dangerous item. It the contents of a package look strange to the airport security they definitely are dangerous and must not be allowed on the plane. Objection not intended. When I sell things on ebay I will add a warning like: Warning: Airlines may refuse the transport of this stove as it may be regarded a "dangerous item" (It will look strange on the x-ray to the airport security staff which is sufficient for a return or disposal on your expenses). So I will ship in Europe only. If you are not in Europe and want to buy this item: You can have it collected by a courier of your choice. I will provide the information needed. But problems are likely. I will not refund for a loss during transportation. The only way to make it "go through" is a quick electrification: Some wires, an old plug and attach it to the lantern/stove. But it must be declared consistently an "old electric lamp". You will need to check with the seller. Erik
Hi there good day to you all . I learnt my lesson early days on this issue of tilley lamps shipping / Quite simply you cannot send anything fuel / presure related by air /aeroplane . any residue of fuel will be sniffed out and you could face damages . I know some have got away with it got lucky .depending on the courier . what to do ? strip the lamp down and clean mercilessly, list it on courier sheet as metal lamp parts , as they are. Next best only sell to overseas buyer that can provide an local shipping address , obviously no fuel trace , it is no longer your problem once item is received . For example if you live in England, and buyer is in say! Vietnam , they must supply a UK address usuually an onwards freight company or other . they may have a container going abroad . People say they never had any problems !! its not worth it Either spare parts cleaned , or local shipping address . by the way . Post anything with glass and your insurance is void . i am sure most would know there is a whole list of dangerous items that cannot go on a flight . I relate to commercial shipping in this instance . hope this helps . Take good care folks . Global shipping do not accept tilly lamps for shipping, if its listed as a tilley lamp they in my case stopped accepting them years ago . Far to many refunds !!
It’s been quite a while ago now but I once bought a lantern from some moron who left quite a bit of fuel, kerosene in this case, in the tank and then left the fuel tank cap loose! It leaked all through the packaging box, and smelled like all hell! Never the less, the USPS delivered the damn thing!! GO FIGURE!! No one said anything and I wrote off the dealer as a complete idiot and never bought from him again!
I've had the same experience as George, a large box full of striped down lamps with fuel left in tanks which had leaked out soaking the box, the Hermes driver was well annoyed as it had made his van really smell.
Hi Brian. Did you get the packages I sent? I assumed you did as I didn't hear anything but now I'm wondering if they were deemed 'hazardous' and disposed of.
The issue is that we buy from people who are not collectors themselves. So they don't care and sometimes can't think logical at all. Even an empty tank will smell will leak a bit. I always use my package page as a guide. But even then you meet people who can't read or simply don't care.
WimVe, what you have said is very true, i just received a lantern from a collector in Japan, he removed the mantle holder cap and fitted a small light bulb fitting with wires through the burner air tube, great idea and he went to trouble to get the lantern to me safe, others over the years, full of fuel. cheers Frank
