Digikey and international exports - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: mobbarley
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2011, 02:06:38 pm
content: Does everyone get this when ordering parts? Or did I just order a part that is commonly used in ticking envelopes??Quote

author: Leo Bodnar
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2011, 02:09:42 pm
content: That's typical for US companies. Have you filled in the form stating what these parts are for and who will be the end user?

author: mobbarley
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2011, 02:11:59 pm
content: Yup, and I said they would be soldered to circuit boards and used by me.

author: johnmx
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2011, 02:43:54 pm
content: It’s only for international orders from US.I think it started after the September 11 attacks.You need to confirm that you are not making a bomb, like the ones they have in millions.

author: mobbarley
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2011, 02:46:23 pm
content: Thanks - wasn't sure if something I ordered was strange or if it was just a standard & stupid system

author: sacherjj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2011, 05:22:42 pm
content: Quote from: mobbarley on June 10, 2011, 02:46:23 pmJust make sure you don't say that you are using them for WMDs. The US will invade your country. I believe we went into Iraq because we saw something suspicious on Twitter.

author: DaveW
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2011, 07:34:06 pm
content: It comes from the standard ITAR regs, it's much easier for most companies to ask it for almost every component. As long as you're saying it's for nothing too suspicious it'll go through. It's pretty serious with ITAR, not sure if it's exactly the same with Digikey, but at work it's made clear that you can go to jail for a long time for violating the regs...

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2011, 09:50:11 pm
content: With Digikey you always get a standard form at the end of the order - if the info is too vague they ask for more, but once you find wording that works, just use it for all future orders. PITA but better than Mouser who only email you back a day after the order if there are any export-controlled items (like wifi & Xbee modules FFS!), delaying your order by one or two days depending on how quick you reply and relative timezones.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2011, 01:20:57 am
content: yeah, digikey can get a bit anal about it too.I was getting a lots of bits from digikey, some for making a few hobby projects and others to just stock up on.They flat-out wouldn't accept that the quantity/order size i was making was for hobby use by me alone. I had to lie and give them a company name before they would accept my order.Well, the company wasn't really a lie, i just used my dads company details, but it was a lie that the parts would be used by that company.

author: Ferroto
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2011, 01:28:26 am
content: Quote from: johnmx on June 10, 2011, 02:43:54 pmahhh the old honor system. Nice to see your tax dollars at work.

author: CoolBeer
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 11, 2011, 03:53:42 am
content: Quote from: Psi on June 11, 2011, 01:20:57 amCome on, that is just ridiculous. I like to stock up on parts as well, that does not mean I'm a friggin terrorist!And seriously, do these questions stop anyone from designing/building bombs or whatever? "You know what, we need theese parts, but they keep asking if we are going to use them to build a bomb!".So what if I order 100 of each transistor, 1000 of each resistor and various other bits, if I were to really build a bomb with the parts, digikey would not be on my list to tell. Actually, thinking about it, the list of people that should know if I were to build a bomb would be extremely short.I just wish someone in control would look at these idiotic rules and wipe them off the chart.-Kolbjørn

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2011, 11:21:05 am
content: If anyone wanted to build a bomb then why on earth would they order the parts from the US?I remember having to put up with this thing working for a US company but at least we were involved in defence but Digikey?

author: Ferroto
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2011, 12:32:29 pm
content: Quote from: CoolBeer on June 11, 2011, 03:53:42 amTrue that. Also you should make the point to them that sometimes you run into a case where a part cost 11 cents and 100 of that part cost $11 bucks and the shipping is going to cost $20 bucks anyways.You have to order it those quantities to justify the shipping charges sometimes.

author: Hideki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2011, 04:23:28 pm
content: With Digikey I wasn't even allowed to order anything from them until I had sent them my id (passport). I still have answer the same stupid questions every time I order something.Mouser doesn't do this at all. They simply send the parts I order. No questions asked. No id required.If this is because of some stupid US law (ITAR regs), why doesn't it apply to Mouser as well?No, I think this was decided by some asshole working for or advising Digikey.

author: sacherjj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2011, 06:33:57 pm
content: Quote from: Ferroto on June 11, 2011, 12:32:29 pmOften it is single cost $0.11 and 100 is $5. Just makes more sense to order them if you ever expect to use 50.

author: Leo Bodnar
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2011, 08:59:54 pm
content: Quote from: sacherjj on June 11, 2011, 06:33:57 pmThe problem is that 95% of such purchases end up collecting dust in a junk box. Their next big trip is few large lots of $0.99 each on eBay when kids clean and sell the house after you are not around.Unless this is 7805 or 0.1uF it will probably never get used. So it is cheaper to buy one for $0.11 then 100 for $5 and never use 99.Managing the stock is nightmare. I now buy exactly what I need plus 2-3% extra for prototyping and repairs.By the way Digikey and Farnell both allow you to give components custom names that will be printed on the bag/box labels.This is very useful, e.g. "Input PCB C11..C15"Have a look at Dave's video where he shows around his lab. He shows a few tubs full of reels and strips. They will never be used. I have the same situation as well.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2011, 10:13:43 pm
content: Quote from: Leo Bodnar on June 11, 2011, 08:59:54 pmyeah, but having a good stock of parts does make your work area look coolI quite often pad out the qty's to get above the NZ$125 needed for digikey free shipping.Quite often its more expensive to get less if you have to pay shipping.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2011, 10:19:02 pm
content: Quote from: Hideki on June 11, 2011, 04:23:28 pmIt does, difference is Mouser only do it for parts that have export controls (IME Wifi & Xbee modules, FPGAs), and it delays the order at least a day. Given the existence of dumb regulations, give me Digikey's way of dealing with it any day - at least I know when my parts will arrive.

author: Leo Bodnar
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2011, 10:41:04 pm
content: Digikey compliance reporting is very simple. Just be truthful and sensible.State your status, e.g. R&D or OEM manufacturer (don't choose "contracted" unless you really are because you will then need to provide details of who has contracted you.)State product area and description.State your country as ultimate destinationState end user as "Myself"That's it. It's super-easy!Rant hat ON! US government bureaucracy is nightmare. I have supplied a few products to Lockheed Martin and must have been somehow entered in their suppliers list. I have literally drowned in paperwork like this:QuoteFor a one-person or small company this is impossible to manage (ITM)