How bad are Australian customs?
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JayTeeEmEm
- Member
- Posts: 155
- Joined: Wed Feb 17, 2010 10:14 pm
- Location: Perth, Western Australia, Earth.
good news all round and great to see u new members. Welcome fellas, just checked usps.com and my Para 2 and Ladybugs are on there way thanks to KW. Hoping for no dramas. Happy weekend :D
:spyder: Stretch ZDP Delica 4 FFG Cricket SS Persistence UKPK FRN Rescue and Blue DP Sage CF Pacific Salt Centofante 3 Spin Dragonfly SS Bill Moran DP Military CF Lum Ti Military H1 Ladybug Hawkbill Ladybug Para 2:spyder:
"Knives have great depth. History, geography, metalurgy, hi tech materials, design, interesting mechanisms, everyday function plus the beauty in the creation of each piece.
It's an addictive hobby though. Be careful."
sal
"Knives have great depth. History, geography, metalurgy, hi tech materials, design, interesting mechanisms, everyday function plus the beauty in the creation of each piece.
It's an addictive hobby though. Be careful."
sal
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sean rorie
- Member
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Mon May 09, 2011 11:16 pm
- Location: Sydney Australia
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JayTeeEmEm
- Member
- Posts: 155
- Joined: Wed Feb 17, 2010 10:14 pm
- Location: Perth, Western Australia, Earth.
That is a bummer. I'm still waiting on my Para 2 to come in. I'm hoping the delay isn't due to Customs shenanigans. I don't want to be part of O's club...
:spyder: Stretch ZDP Delica 4 FFG Cricket SS Persistence UKPK FRN Rescue and Blue DP Sage CF Pacific Salt Centofante 3 Spin Dragonfly SS Bill Moran DP Military CF Lum Ti Military H1 Ladybug Hawkbill Ladybug Para 2:spyder:
"Knives have great depth. History, geography, metalurgy, hi tech materials, design, interesting mechanisms, everyday function plus the beauty in the creation of each piece.
It's an addictive hobby though. Be careful."
sal
"Knives have great depth. History, geography, metalurgy, hi tech materials, design, interesting mechanisms, everyday function plus the beauty in the creation of each piece.
It's an addictive hobby though. Be careful."
sal
Well I'm in VIC, and I've had a Manix 2 CTS-XHP lost to customs which classified it as a "flick" knife, this was at the height of 2010 election period and politicians were making rising knife crime an election platform and the media was effectively demonising knives and knife owners.
Ironically I believe it was the fault of poor regulation in 80's and 90's that led to this, a lot of outdoor supply stores were stocking cheap copy knives -$10-20 delica copies etc (the genuine articles were way over priced at the local stores, I remember seeing a Paramilitary selling for AU$430 locally, I ended ordering my P1 direct from Spyderco for much less). Spydies are distinctive because of the hole and how efficient they are as 1 handed openers, and unfortunately a lot of local suppliers were not selling responsibly either, a lot of these fakes ended up in the hands of the wrong people and company's like Spyderco got a bad rep with the powers that be, because the fakes proved popular with a lot of illegitimate knife users. It's almost as if Spyderco ended up on some sort of unofficial blacklist. I've asked a few dealers across various states and most of them are saying they can't bring in Spydies. I've called the customs info line before seeking information about importing the Spydercos I want to collect and got referred to 3 different departments (the people who answer the phone are great at giving vague answers with open ended interpretations.
That said, post election, I've ordered and received 2 Paramilitary 2s, S90V and a CTS-20CP, the 1st in December '10 and the latter arrived yesterday; the order was opened and inspected by customs and it was let through. Smaller folders seem to be ok, the 4 Ladybugs and 3 Dragon Flys (assorted steels, ZDP 189 is very very nice!) have had no issues... just the One Manix gone with no recourse
Roger, Amber and the rest of the crew at KW do take extra care of their Aussie customers and are quite knowledgeable too. I can't praise them enough for their assistance with my orders.
I'm wary of buying larger folders especially those with heavy blades like the Manix and Gayle Bradley because of the open ended interpretation of the law, it would appear to be at the discretion of the officer inspecting the shipment.
My $0.02 worth :)
Ironically I believe it was the fault of poor regulation in 80's and 90's that led to this, a lot of outdoor supply stores were stocking cheap copy knives -$10-20 delica copies etc (the genuine articles were way over priced at the local stores, I remember seeing a Paramilitary selling for AU$430 locally, I ended ordering my P1 direct from Spyderco for much less). Spydies are distinctive because of the hole and how efficient they are as 1 handed openers, and unfortunately a lot of local suppliers were not selling responsibly either, a lot of these fakes ended up in the hands of the wrong people and company's like Spyderco got a bad rep with the powers that be, because the fakes proved popular with a lot of illegitimate knife users. It's almost as if Spyderco ended up on some sort of unofficial blacklist. I've asked a few dealers across various states and most of them are saying they can't bring in Spydies. I've called the customs info line before seeking information about importing the Spydercos I want to collect and got referred to 3 different departments (the people who answer the phone are great at giving vague answers with open ended interpretations.
That said, post election, I've ordered and received 2 Paramilitary 2s, S90V and a CTS-20CP, the 1st in December '10 and the latter arrived yesterday; the order was opened and inspected by customs and it was let through. Smaller folders seem to be ok, the 4 Ladybugs and 3 Dragon Flys (assorted steels, ZDP 189 is very very nice!) have had no issues... just the One Manix gone with no recourse
Roger, Amber and the rest of the crew at KW do take extra care of their Aussie customers and are quite knowledgeable too. I can't praise them enough for their assistance with my orders.
I'm wary of buying larger folders especially those with heavy blades like the Manix and Gayle Bradley because of the open ended interpretation of the law, it would appear to be at the discretion of the officer inspecting the shipment.
My $0.02 worth :)
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JayTeeEmEm
- Member
- Posts: 155
- Joined: Wed Feb 17, 2010 10:14 pm
- Location: Perth, Western Australia, Earth.
JayTeeEmEm wrote:That is a bummer. I'm still waiting on my Para 2 to come in. I'm hoping the delay isn't due to Customs shenanigans. I don't want to be part of O's club...
Got my Para 2 and L'bugs. Customs opened and inspected and no problem. The P2 was very stiff, I didnt request KW tighten it and not sure if they did it or not. I always have something other than knives with my order, not sure if that helps my cause. I had some paracord and couple kitchen knives and some other gear. I chose the cheaper shipping option and it took a while but I'm now a happy camper.Wyldey wrote:Roger, Amber and the rest of the crew at KW do take extra care of their Aussie customers and are quite knowledgeable too. I can't praise them enough for their assistance with my orders.
:spyder: Stretch ZDP Delica 4 FFG Cricket SS Persistence UKPK FRN Rescue and Blue DP Sage CF Pacific Salt Centofante 3 Spin Dragonfly SS Bill Moran DP Military CF Lum Ti Military H1 Ladybug Hawkbill Ladybug Para 2:spyder:
"Knives have great depth. History, geography, metalurgy, hi tech materials, design, interesting mechanisms, everyday function plus the beauty in the creation of each piece.
It's an addictive hobby though. Be careful."
sal
"Knives have great depth. History, geography, metalurgy, hi tech materials, design, interesting mechanisms, everyday function plus the beauty in the creation of each piece.
It's an addictive hobby though. Be careful."
sal
firstly.. apologies to regular forum readers for the thread resurrection & to the american readers that are probably sick of us aussies banging on about our crappy customs. sorry guys but i have frustration that needs venting
i definitely spoke too soon in my previous post. i just recieved 2 seizure notices from au customs... one for the benchmade onslaught... & the other *sob* for a spyderco navaja !!!!!! noooOOooOOOooOOo!!! both were classified by customs as flick knives i am so gutted about the navaja. if there was ever a chook raffle that i ever wanted to win it was that one.
no option to send back with either item. i can make a claim against customs ruling but everyone i know has advised against it. now i'm going to go to youtube & watch some spyderco navaja reviews & have a little cry
i definitely spoke too soon in my previous post. i just recieved 2 seizure notices from au customs... one for the benchmade onslaught... & the other *sob* for a spyderco navaja !!!!!! noooOOooOOOooOOo!!!
both were classified by customs as flick knives i am so gutted about the navaja. if there was ever a chook raffle that i ever wanted to win it was that one. no option to send back with either item. i can make a claim against customs ruling but everyone i know has advised against it. now i'm going to go to youtube & watch some spyderco navaja reviews & have a little cry
:spyder: australian spyderco fan :spyder:
Hey mate sorry about your bad news.
Look at the paperwork and find a contact number. See if you can speak to someone about your seizures. Ask if you are able to fill in the paperwork and to send it back to the seller. IMHO better these knives go back to someone who can use it than be crushed by Customs. If the seller can even give you part refund that is better than nothing and even if they can't the return postage plus good karma is better than letting our Nanny State grab our harmless hobby items :)
sorry about your bad news. Look at the paperwork and find a contact number. See if you can speak to someone about your seizures. Ask if you are able to fill in the paperwork and to send it back to the seller. IMHO better these knives go back to someone who can use it than be crushed by Customs. If the seller can even give you part refund that is better than nothing and even if they can't the return postage plus good karma is better than letting our Nanny State grab our harmless hobby items :)
Cheers
Daniel (Certified Persian & Kopa nut)
Facebook profile: https://www.facebook.com/ozspyder
:spyder: I love my: Persians, Kopas, and Lums
:spyder: * Daniel's Spyderco Hoard *
:spyder: * Ozspyder's Kopa Kabana *
Daniel (Certified Persian & Kopa nut)
Facebook profile: https://www.facebook.com/ozspyder
:spyder: I love my: Persians, Kopas, and Lums
:spyder: * Daniel's Spyderco Hoard *
:spyder: * Ozspyder's Kopa Kabana *
You cry, we cry, they cry, he cried, she cried, we all bloody cry.
I feel a loss of freedom here, as well as a loss of money & destruction of property. This is getting worse now with no option to return to sender. :confused:
How is the wording on their seizure notices. You would'nt want to have a thin skin or take it too personal, hey ?
O.
I feel a loss of freedom here, as well as a loss of money & destruction of property. This is getting worse now with no option to return to sender. :confused:
How is the wording on their seizure notices. You would'nt want to have a thin skin or take it too personal, hey ?
O.
Heh I rekn O! The gist of the seizure notice is "you are a criminal! we have your nefarious flick knives & we are going to break them with righteous glee! if you protest we will lock you in jail & take all your money. think yourself lucky!" ;p
i will take Daniels advice & hopefully get them sent back to the sellers in the USA... it might cost me but it's better than some smarmy customs officer having my knives
i will take Daniels advice & hopefully get them sent back to the sellers in the USA... it might cost me but it's better than some smarmy customs officer having my knives
:spyder: australian spyderco fan :spyder:
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Armalite Native
- Member
- Posts: 209
- Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2010 7:20 pm
Sheesh the more people post in this thread the bigger the issue becomes. Believe me shinning more light on this will not help the cause. We all feel for each other and the things we didnt get but the bigger the flag the more the bull is going to charge us.
Let the thread die down - you are not going to get anywhere making a big issue of this.
Let the thread die down - you are not going to get anywhere making a big issue of this.