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Importing Radioactive Materials Switzerland
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PostPosted: Fri Jun 28, 2024 11:35 pm    Post subject: Importing Radioactive Materials Switzerland Reply with quote
Hoping to save someone else some grief...

Importing Radioactive Materials Switzerland is Strictly Regulated!
This includes lenses. It is unclear whether radiation was detected, or, if they simply looked up the declared contents on a list such as

https://camerapedia.fandom.com/wiki/Radioactive_lenses

After spending 5 weeks in Swiss Customs before being returned to US, then clueless USPS passing the package around for months, I received it today.



Before:


USPS.COM Package Tracking
Quote:
Scan History
TODAY 2:20 pm
Delivered, Left with Individual
GARBERVILLE,CA 95542

Jun 28 7:06 am
Arrived at Post Office
GARBERVILLE,CA 95542

Jun 28 12:48 am
Arrived at USPS Regional Facility
EUREKA CA DISTRIBUTION CENTER

Jun 27 7:37 pm
Departed USPS Regional Facility
SAN FRANCISCO CA DISTRIBUTION CENTER

Jun 27 12:35 pm
Arrived at USPS Regional Facility
SAN FRANCISCO CA DISTRIBUTION CENTER

Jun 27 3:27 am
Departed USPS Facility
LOS ANGELES,CA 90001

Jun 27 3:25 am
Arrived at USPS Facility
LOS ANGELES,CA 90001

Jun 27 3:25 am
Departed USPS Regional Facility
LOS ANGELES CA DISTRIBUTION CENTER

Jun 22 4:11 pm
Arrived at USPS Regional Facility
LOS ANGELES CA DISTRIBUTION CENTER

Jun 20 10:22 am
Arrived at USPS Facility
BELL GARDENS,CA 90205

Jun 20 3:45 am
Departed USPS Regional Facility
SAN FRANCISCO CA DISTRIBUTION CENTER

Jun 20 1:46 am
Arrived at USPS Regional Facility
SAN FRANCISCO CA DISTRIBUTION CENTER

Jun 20 1:17 am
Departed USPS Regional Facility
OAKLAND CA DISTRIBUTION CENTER

Jun 18 9:59 pm
Arrived at USPS Regional Facility
OAKLAND CA DISTRIBUTION CENTER

Jun 17 9:23 pm
Arrived at USPS Regional Facility
SAN FRANCISCO CA NETWORK DISTRIBUTION CENTER

Jun 14 10:39 pm
Arrived at USPS Facility
BELL GARDENS,CA 90205

Jun 12 3:22 pm
Arrived at USPS Regional Facility
SAN FRANCISCO CA DISTRIBUTION CENTER

Jun 10 8:54 am
Arrived at USPS Regional Facility
SACRAMENTO CA DISTRIBUTION CENTER

Jun 06 6:55 pm
Arrived at USPS Regional Facility
METRO NY DISTRIBUTION CENTER

Jun 06 12:02 am
Arrived at USPS Regional Facility
JAMAICA NY INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER

Jun 05 11:18 pm
In Transit to Next Facility

Jun 05 10:59 pm
Departed USPS Regional Facility
METRO NY DISTRIBUTION CENTER

Jun 05 12:10 pm
Arrived at USPS Regional Facility
METRO NY DISTRIBUTION CENTER

Jun 04 2:40 pm
Inbound Out of Customs

Jun 01 9:14 pm
Processed Through USPS Facility
ISC NEW YORK NY(USPS)

May 31 9:34 am
Processed Through Facility
ZURICH 59

May 27 2:01 pm
Processed through Facility
ZURICH-URDORF

May 27 1:56 pm
Customs Clearance Processing Complete

Apr 22 6:00 pm
Held in Customs
ZURICH-URDORF

Apr 22 3:49 pm
Customs Clearance

Apr 22 3:48 pm
Processed Through Facility

Apr 22 7:04 am
Departed
ZURICH

Apr 20 8:24 pm
Departed
LOS ANGELES

Apr 20 7:40 pm
Departed
LOS ANGELES

Apr 20 4:56 pm
Arrived
LOS ANGELES

Apr 18 9:43 pm
Processed Through USPS Regional Facility
LOS ANGELES CA NETWORK DISTRIBUTION CENTER

Apr 18 4:35 pm
Arrived at USPS Regional Facility
LOS ANGELES CA NETWORK DISTRIBUTION CENTER

Apr 18 7:01 am
Arrived at USPS Facility
BELL GARDENS,CA 90205

Apr 17 In Transit to Next Facility

Apr 16 8:50 pm
Departed USPS Regional Facility
EUREKA CA DISTRIBUTION CENTER

Apr 16 6:31 pm
Arrived at USPS Regional Facility
EUREKA CA DISTRIBUTION CENTER

Apr 16 4:37 pm
Departed Post Office
GARBERVILLE,CA 95542

Apr 16 3:09 pm
USPS picked up item
GARBERVILLE,CA 95542

Apr 15 Pre-Shipment, USPS Awaiting Item


After:



PostPosted: Sat Jun 29, 2024 1:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Shocked What was the lens? A limited run from the Arsenal factory using reclaimed Chernobyl reactor glass?


PostPosted: Sat Jun 29, 2024 2:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I think it was the 35mm lenses:

Takumar 1:4 f=35mm
Super-Takumar 1:2 /35 V1 (Fat)
Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1:2/35
Super-Takumar 1:1.9/85
Tele-Takumar 1:5.6/200
Tele-Takumar 1:6.3/300


PostPosted: Sat Jun 29, 2024 9:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Yes, that happens. I have heard about an early Minolta MC Rokkor 58/1.2 being refused as well by customs (can't remember the country) on grounds of detected radiation (the early models used a thorium glass element).

Next time, hide it in a shipment of bananas. (I'm not actually sure how many BEDs a Takumar is Wink )

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banana_equivalent_dose


PostPosted: Sat Jun 29, 2024 10:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
RokkorDoctor wrote:
Yes, that happens. I have heard about an early Minolta MC Rokkor 58/1.2 being refused as well by customs (can't remember the country) on grounds of detected radiation (the early models used a thorium glass element).


Wow, it looks like I've been lucky to receive mine


PostPosted: Sat Jun 29, 2024 12:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Deleted due to political nature of post.

alex_d you are now on probation for making a political post in the main forum. Next time post in the Dive Bar sub-forum. Please read forum rules - political posts are not allowed.

POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS SUBJECTS ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED
https://forum.mflenses.com/political-and-religious-subjects-are-strictly-prohibited-t28435.html


PostPosted: Sat Jun 29, 2024 12:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
visualopsins wrote:
I think it was the 35mm lenses:

Takumar 1:4 f=35mm
Super-Takumar 1:2 /35 V1 (Fat)
Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1:2/35
Super-Takumar 1:1.9/85
Tele-Takumar 1:5.6/200
Tele-Takumar 1:6.3/300


Some of them are quite yummy lenses, congratulations!


PostPosted: Sat Jun 29, 2024 1:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
RokkorDoctor wrote:
Yes, that happens. I have heard about an early Minolta MC Rokkor 58/1.2 being refused as well by customs (can't remember the country) on grounds of detected radiation (the early models used a thorium glass element).

Next time, hide it in a shipment of bananas. (I'm not actually sure how many BEDs a Takumar is Wink )

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banana_equivalent_dose


LOL


PostPosted: Sat Jun 29, 2024 2:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
caspert79 wrote:
visualopsins wrote:
I think it was the 35mm lenses:

Takumar 1:4 f=35mm
Super-Takumar 1:2 /35 V1 (Fat)
Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1:2/35
Super-Takumar 1:1.9/85
Tele-Takumar 1:5.6/200
Tele-Takumar 1:6.3/300


Some of them are quite yummy lenses, congratulations!


Indeed. I was looking forward to some comparisons.


PostPosted: Sun Jun 30, 2024 8:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
SInce I was involved here a few remarks from my side:

1) I received a letter from the Swiss government accusing me of "attempted illegal import of radiactive materials", and
2) was threatened with a fine of "up to CHF 20'000.-- in case of recurrence" (=USD 22'300.--).

Well, nothing to add here. Execpt maybe that
1) the necessary equipment to detect radioactive materials in parcels was introduced post 9/11, to prevent nuclear terrorism
2) It's pretty much impossible to use the above Takumars for "nuclear terrorism"
3) and so (I would say) we have nice case of public officials completely ignoring the original meaning of the corresponding regulations

I will call the responsible person at the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health and ask him for some clarifications.
As soon as I know more, I'll publish the information here.

S


PostPosted: Mon Jul 01, 2024 10:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
stevemark wrote:
SInce I was involved here a few remarks from my side:

1) I received a letter from the Swiss government accusing me of "attempted illegal import of radiactive materials", and
2) was threatened with a fine of "up to CHF 20'000.-- in case of recurrence" (=USD 22'300.--).

Well, nothing to add here. Execpt maybe that
1) the necessary equipment to detect radioactive materials in parcels was introduced post 9/11, to prevent nuclear terrorism
2) It's pretty much impossible to use the above Takumars for "nuclear terrorism"
3) and so (I would say) we have nice case of public officials completely ignoring the original meaning of the corresponding regulations

I will call the responsible person at the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health and ask him for some clarifications.
As soon as I know more, I'll publish the information here.

S


When vis mentioned Switzerland and comparison tests, I did wonder if perhaps you were the intended recipient.

Likely a case of rushed-through legislation. As you say, officials tend to just follow the rules literally, rather than apply them judgementally based on intent. Good luck, hopefully they will admit they were a bit overzealous in their judgement.

Maybe they are afraid of a Swiss David Hahn in the making, unfortunately some people do irresponsible things: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Hahn

No doubt the Swiss legislation will be different, but the UK legislation may be of use as a reference. If I read it correctly, then storing up to 5kg of thorium radioactive compound is exempt from notification and legislation. But that refers to compounds where the concentrations of U-235 is less than 0.72% by weight, and thorium is in its isotopic proportions as found in nature. If I recall correctly, thorium lens elements can be as high as 30% thorium by weight, so a bundle of radioactive lenses may hit the radiation levels equivalent to that of 5kg of low-concentration thorium compound sooner than thought. As someone with a background in chemistry this document probably makes more sense to you than me though:

https://naturalresources.wales/media/1952/uranium-and-thorium-eng.pdf


PostPosted: Mon Jul 01, 2024 12:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
curious that this discussion should be labelled as unsuitable political or religious even if one thought that members here were venerating a particular thorium containing lanthanum lens and offering homage to it .

I can understand the post office who has to rely on measuring ionizing radiation outside the parcel with no option to analyse the concentration of the offending element . Lead wrapping by the sender would have sufficed and if anyone had wished to mail Pu239 the alpha radiation would have been stopped by the cardboard box so it might have gone through undetected.

p.


PostPosted: Mon Jul 01, 2024 1:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
paulhofseth wrote:
curious that this discussion should be labelled as unsuitable political or religious even if one thought that members here were venerating a particular thorium containing lanthanum lens and offering homage to it .

I can understand the post office who has to rely on measuring ionizing radiation outside the parcel with no option to analyse the concentration of the offending element . Lead wrapping by the sender would have sufficed and if anyone had wished to mail Pu239 the alpha radiation would have been stopped by the cardboard box so it might have gone through undetected.

p.


While the discussion is not political, the individual post was.


PostPosted: Mon Jul 01, 2024 2:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
understandable.

p.
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