How To Purchase from AST Bearings

AST Bearings supplies bearings to customers all over the world from our warehouses located in the United States. We service six of the seven continents (we haven’t shipped to Antarctica yet). We also have the ability to “drop ship” directly from some of our factories located around the world.

To take advantage of AST Bearings international supply capabilities, customers must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Minimum International Order Value:  $500 US dollars (not including shipping, handling, and export fees)
• Initial Order Payment Method:  Either Wire Transfer or Credit Card only (MasterCard and VISA only)
• Import Duties:  Customers are responsible for paying all import duties
• Freight Cost:  Customers are responsible for paying all freight costs – Prepaid and billed (added to either the credit card or wire transfer on the day of shipment)
• Non-cancelable Orders:  All international orders are Non-cancelable and Non-returnable.

AST Bearings supplies a wide variety of bearings to many different types of customers throughout the world. In the United States, we supply some very advanced bearings to defense and military contractors. Even though this is a relatively small part of our business, we are required to register with the U.S. State Department (which we have) and maintain a documented Export Compliance Program.

Under the regulations, any item that is sent from the US to a foreign destination is considered an export. For various reasons, including national security and arms proliferation, the US government regulates exports of certain items. All persons and companies in the US who export must comply with these regulations.

Defense Articles are controlled via a set of regulations known as the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). These regulations implement the Arms Export Control Act (AECA). Both of these are administered by the U.S. Department of State.

Dual Use and Commercial Items are controlled under the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR). These are administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC). The DOC publishes a comprehensive list of controlled items (certain types of bearings are listed) known as the Commerce Control List (CCL). Many of the items listed require an export license issued by the DOC. License requirements are determined by:

• What are you exporting? 
• Where are you exporting? 
• Who will receive your item? 
• What will your item be used for?

With regard to dual use and commercial bearings, based on the technical characteristics of the bearing, an export license may be required. In addition, even if it is determined an export license is not required, under the regulations the proposed export is still subject to screening for embargoed countries and prohibited parties.

If you have not experienced this before, it is likely because the items you have been importing from the U.S. are not defined as "controlled items" by the U.S. Department of Commerce and therefore are not subject to screening, or the exporter is not following the required regulations and is either knowingly (or unknowingly) breaking the US Federal law. The penalties in the U.S. imposed on exporters violating the regulations are substantial. Since AST is registered with the U.S. State Department due to our activities with defense customers, our export activities are subject to U.S. Government audits and are more "visible" than a company that is strictly involved in commercial activities. However, these other companies are also required by law to comply with the EAR.

Please be accurate and complete when filling out the referenced questionnaire. All shipments will be held until proper screening is completed.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation. We look forward to provide you “Value Beyond the Part”™.