Depends where you are and where the materials are going
Like the Canucks, I indicated that the materials were being shipped overseas (i.e. o/s the US) and that is what started the trouble. An "Export Manager" in Atlanta claimed that the complexity of US Export Laws meant that the company would not ship our order. The delivery was in Houston, TX - a part of the Union for just a few years now! The real reason is a closed shop using a few companies for export; probably illegal but I wont be going there again. In any case threats of litigation brought a successful conclusion. I'm glad for the guys that get their orders processed and delivered but basically McMaster Carr sucks!