# I can't buy from France. Thanks, Don **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 1, 2026, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-buy-from-france-thanks-don/1030539 "2026-06-01T16:59:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2026, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-buy-from-france-thanks-don/1030539/1 "2026-06-01T16:59:02Z")
I found some small parts I need for a French rifle. When I go and try to set up an account to pay at one company, the USA is not even on the list of countries to choose from. I found the part at a second company that I had already set up an account years ago. I logged in but a warning block appeared that stated, “country not found”. ---
**Author:** ![Apodder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/apodder/32/17727_2.png) [@Apodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apodder)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2026, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-buy-from-france-thanks-don/1030539/2 "2026-06-02T22:42:32Z")
Kinda shooting themselves in the foot, eh? \*I’ll show myself out… ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-buy-from-france-thanks-don/1030539/3 "2026-06-05T13:24:35Z")
France has wisely concluded that the last thing the US needs is more functional firearms. ---
**Author:** ![Toxylon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@Toxylon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxylon)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-buy-from-france-thanks-don/1030539/4 "2026-06-05T14:02:06Z")
This has been going on for some time, between many interactions across the pond. Many European companies have concluded selling to America is more trouble than it’s worth. The last time I tried to buy gun parts from a US company I’ve dealt with for years, PayPal told me: “Additional fees may apply. You agree to pay [app. 2 x of what the goods + shipping were listed for]”. Good riddance. So, thanks, orange asswipe. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-buy-from-france-thanks-don/1030539/5 "2026-06-05T14:06:19Z")
That has to be most, if not all, their exports cancelled. I can’t imagine there are many, or maybe any, countries other than the US that will allow a random private citizen to import weapons components from a foreign country. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-buy-from-france-thanks-don/1030539/6 "2026-06-05T15:28:42Z")
> [@Toxylon](#): > > Many European companies have concluded selling to America is more trouble than it’s worth. The flip side of this is overseas sellers who WILL sell to the US but didn’t really know what they’re doing in terms of labeling and paperwork so the buyer winds up with a big customs bill on receipt. ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2026, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-buy-from-france-thanks-don/1030539/7 "2026-06-06T05:45:17Z")
UPDATE: A company rep emailed me and explained that the USA was not listed in their automated ordering system but he could manually place the order for me. He did so and even gave me a 15% discount. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2026, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-buy-from-france-thanks-don/1030539/8 "2026-06-06T05:58:06Z")
Good customer service there… I can’t say how things run in your neck of the woods, but if there’s a survey or chance to write in a nice letter about your experience to management, it would be worth it for that level of help.