Matrix Ballistics

[Duhawk]

I received an interesting email from Steve @ Matrix...as follows.

"I received the ruling from the US Customs yesterday and they have made a ruling that my bullets are “ammunition” and therefore require a permit for each customer. When I started this company a number of years ago I received a ruling that bullets were exempt because they did not include a propellant or primer and, therefore, could not be considered a cartridge or ammunition. Sometime in the last few years this definition was changed and all sub-components were included. I suspect this happened last Dec because Canada changed a lot our import rules.


Unfortunately, this ruling prevents me from shipping anymore products into the US for the near foreseeable future and ultimately probably will shutdown the business."

So, if you're like me...you'll have to apply for a permit to order from him or move on to the next thing they ban.

. “Application and permit for Importation of Firearms, Ammunition and Defense Articles. OMB No. 1140-0005(10/31/2019)”

 

[Zero333]

ohh my. This is horrible.

Thanks for posting.

I was on his website a week ago looking at bullets. Now i better order some before they're gone. I live in Canada so I don't need no stupid piece of paper. But Canadian orders will not save his business.

 

[Steveb]

Hi Zero

I will continue to make bullets for the CDN market and my own use so if you want the Matrix bullets then they will still be available. Likely Matrix will remain as a hobby for a long time because I am an F-Class shooter so I will be still making bullets.

Thank you to all my loyal customers and I appreciate the business all of you have given me in the past.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Man i hate to hear all this. Ive never even heard of the bullets but any shooting business is my friend. I wish you all the luck sir!!

 

[BartsBullets]

Yes it sucks!

The State Department has been screwing bullet makers in the USA for years with the same regulation! To make bullets in the USA legally you must have a business license, an FFL, and be registered with the State Department which costs around 2250.00 per year! It doesn’t matter if you intent to export or not! I pay the same yearly starter fee as Boeing! It’s bullshit


Bart

 

[nso123]

Yes it sucks!

The State Department has been screwing bullet makers in the USA for years with the same regulation! To make bullets in the USA legally you must have a business license, an FFL, and be registered with the State Department which costs around 2250.00 per year! It doesn’t matter if you intent to export or not! I pay the same yearly starter fee as Boeing! It’s bullshit


Bart

It seems that all businesses get caught in the wringer of bureaucracy these days. My fishing business requires me to pay a 10% tax on many of the products I sell. Then I still have all the other taxes and income taxes on top of it. Bart, at least we know your bullets are more reliable in flight than the lateset group of Boeing products.

 

[dickn52]

I received an interesting email from Steve @ Matrix...as follows.

"I received the ruling from the US Customs yesterday and they have made a ruling that my bullets are “ammunition” and therefore require a permit for each customer. When I started this company a number of years ago I received a ruling that bullets were exempt because they did not include a propellant or primer and, therefore, could not be considered a cartridge or ammunition. Sometime in the last few years this definition was changed and all sub-components were included. I suspect this happened last Dec because Canada changed a lot our import rules.


Unfortunately, this ruling prevents me from shipping anymore products into the US for the near foreseeable future and ultimately probably will shutdown the business."

So, if you're like me...you'll have to apply for a permit to order from him or move on to the next thing they ban.

. “Application and permit for Importation of Firearms, Ammunition and Defense Articles. OMB No. 1140-0005(10/31/2019)”

This ruling by US Customs and Border Protection. Did it originate in NYC by any chance. MOST rulings and letters are issued out of that office. IF it did not, then you might resubmit with a copy of the original ruling and ask for clarification through the NYC office. They almost always have the final word. Now if this is an ITAR issue, then the ruling came from Dept of State and a License would be required to import to the USA. Think that is a DOS form 5. ATF would be an import license on a form 6-6a maybe???

 

[BartsBullets]

This ruling by US Customs and Border Protection. Did it originate in NYC by any chance. MOST rulings and letters are issued out of that office. IF it did not, then you might resubmit with a copy of the original ruling and ask for clarification through the NYC office. They almost always have the final word. Now if this is an ITAR issue, then the ruling came from Dept of State and a License would be required to import to the USA. Think that is a DOS form 5. ATF would be an import license on a form 6-6a maybe???

Jackets, lead cores, and Bullets are all itar items.

Bart

 

[Duhawk]

I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the ruling where they define a bullet as loaded ammo....a semi-auto isn't an auto till modified, thus no need for a special permit to own one, How is a bullet any different?

It's not just Matrix...I like to roast my own coffee beans, and occasionally order from the Green Beanery (another Canadian company). About a month ago I placed an order and was told US customs wouldn't allow the beans to cross into the US. Green Coffee beans??

 

[Jefferson]

Steve and before him Marshal are really good guys

 

[BartsBullets]

I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the ruling where they define a bullet as loaded ammo....a semi-auto isn't an auto till modified, thus no need for a special permit to own one, How is a bullet any different?

It's not just Matrix...I like to roast my own coffee beans, and occasionally order from the Green Beanery (another Canadian company). About a month ago I placed an order and was told US customs wouldn't allow the beans to cross into the US. Green Coffee beans??

All I can speak to is bullets! Bullets going out of this country must have an export license, and the manufacturer must be registered with the State Department. Now if you make bullets and sell bullets it’s not an option. You must be registered even if you do not intent to export.

I got caught up in this 12 years ago when a licensed exporter was apply for a permit to ship my bullets overseas and I was not “registered”! So every year I pay the State Department 2250.00 for nothing!!!

Matrix may have to suck it up and pay the State Department their fee so he can do business.

Bart