# Why can't I buy a fuel tank from the UK? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 5, 2023, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-buy-a-fuel-tank-from-the-uk/991126 "2023-10-05T00:30:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2023, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-buy-a-fuel-tank-from-the-uk/991126/1 "2023-10-05T00:30:59Z")
My YZF-R1 fuel tank is shot. I tried to buy one on eBay, from England, and got this message: ## We are sorry, but the item you selected may not be purchased due to seller shipping restrictions or due to country-specific import/export or other relevant restrictions.{e193432-823255x} The seller’s listing says he ships to the U.S. I can’t imagine an import/export restriction on a motor vehicle part. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2023, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-buy-a-fuel-tank-from-the-uk/991126/2 "2023-10-05T01:45:27Z")
A lot of motor vehicle parts are nation specific. Different pollution control gear, different tail light lenses, mufflers, etc. I’d be surprised if that applies to a motorcycle fuel tank though. But it could be something dumb like the US needing a different gasket under the filler cap than the Brit-regulated part he has on hand. I’d sooner believe the seller simply isn’t set up to fight with customs and international shipping for at least some stuff. Especially to the USA as there’s an assumption there’s already somebody in the USA selling the same stuff. The way to _know_ of course, rather than ask here, is ask the seller whether the issue _for this part_ is shipping or regulations. The error message says could be either. And I see the seller’s statement that they ship to the US as “We usually ship most stuff to the US”. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2023, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-buy-a-fuel-tank-from-the-uk/991126/3 "2023-10-05T01:48:49Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > The way to _know_ of course, rather than ask here, is ask the seller whether the issue _for this part_ is shipping or regulations. Already did that. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2023, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-buy-a-fuel-tank-from-the-uk/991126/4 "2023-10-05T02:52:23Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Already did that. So what did he say? Was that the message you quoted? Or was the message a generic message you got when you tried to order? [To me it sounds like a generic message.] Often sellers don’t set up the international options when they put up listings when there is little international demand- as the shipping costs can vary widely – but they will modify the listing upon request to add an international option when they have a request from an international buyer. The other option is to buy it and have it delivered to a freight forwarder in England–who will then ship it to you. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2023, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-buy-a-fuel-tank-from-the-uk/991126/5 "2023-10-05T03:01:42Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > So what did he say? Was that the message you quoted? Or was the message a generic message you got when you tried to order? [To me it sounds like a generic message.] The seller has not responded yet. (There’s a 7 or 8 hour time difference.) It’s a generic eBay message. > [@PastTense](#): > > The other option is to buy it and have it delivered to a freight forwarder in England–who will then ship it to you. I don’t know how to do that. I thought about seeing if there’s a UK Doper who could finagle it with me. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2023, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-buy-a-fuel-tank-from-the-uk/991126/6 "2023-10-05T03:05:36Z")
Is it a NOS part or a used tank? I believe there are some restrictions for shipping any fuel container that’s been used before. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2023, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-buy-a-fuel-tank-from-the-uk/991126/7 "2023-10-05T03:17:42Z")
It’s salvage. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2023, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-buy-a-fuel-tank-from-the-uk/991126/8 "2023-10-05T13:25:59Z")
I woke up to a message by the seller this morning, saying to try again in 20 minutes. I tried to Buy It Now, and I didn’t get the error… but the payment didn’t go through. My credit union will occasionally decline unusual charges. They don’t open until 0800, so I can’t confirm that’s what happened. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2023, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-buy-a-fuel-tank-from-the-uk/991126/9 "2023-10-05T13:59:15Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I can’t imagine an import/export restriction on a motor vehicle part. I assumed there would be a lot of restrictions. A used fuel tank might be the explanation as @Pork_Rind suggests for a used part since most restrictions would apply to new parts and whole cars. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2023, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-buy-a-fuel-tank-from-the-uk/991126/10 "2023-10-05T14:00:04Z")
Update: I was able to complete the purchase with a different credit card… which is probably a good thing, since I treat the first card I tried to use as a ‘debit card’ (I pay it off every month).