As posted on the Holt auctioneer's website in the UK.

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR U.S. BIDDERS. Please note that under current rulings enforced by BATF any Mauser 98 actioned sporting rifle REGARDLESS OF ORIGINAL APPLICATION that has a thumb recess in the sidewall and loading-clip cut-out in the rear bridge will be refused an import permit into the United States.

Why is this?

To stop the importing of inexpensive military rifles like the Yugo mausers I'm sure.

when did this take effect? I imported one 60 days ago. do we have confirmation this is true

I heard about it months ago and thought it was already in effect but I could be wrong.

I wrote in another thread that I had a "mauser" rejected for import over a year ago...a real bummer!

Apparently the brainiacs working in the ATF import approval department will flag anything with "Mauser" in the name, or with a notched receiver. (they asked me for photos...)