Australian Customs new info

[elof_alv]

As to the mass imported, taxed knives and their importers - I don't remember who is credited with the quote but: 'Kill one person and you'll be called a murderer, Kill thousands and you will be called a hero'...

[elof_alv]

And for the illegal flick knives - what about Kershaws Chill & Skyline? Neither has thumbstuds or disk or hole, they don't have a nail nick... what they have? a flipper which allows you to flick the blade open... Both could/can be bought online or in hunting shop here in Australia, not to mention Leeks and Blurs which are assisted...

[Dragunov-21]

All of the newly-restricted knives are legal to own, sell and possess in some or all states, as are many of the old ones.

This is a matter of Customs playing moral police and prioritising the scoring of "public safety" points ahead of actual public safety, effectiveness and the needs of law-abiding people.

[AS350]

Well written! Good Show. Keep up the pressure.

[Dragunov-21]

I know there are a number of other people trying the approach from different (and possibly more credible) angles. One is making the case that paras/ambos need one-hand-opening knives for work (which is true) and another that police and defence-force personnel are now rendered unable to purchase equipment that they require (also true).

[AS350]

I have Dr Stace's Report in PDf - trying to cut and paste bits to no avail. In it he has (as been asked by the ACS) described Cetrifugal and Centrifugal force...Any one know how I can get the PDF to a doc and cut and paste so as not to have to retype all the mumbo jumbo? Or post a PDF? Cheers

[AS350]

Nice one - thanks Adobe. I found a way to share the report on Adobe's site - another good, practical use of technology. Cheers for your time people and I appreciate your insights. Kind regards Wayne https://acrobat.com/#d=TKGXY0jjJOPkdYjumnb6LA

[Dragunov-21]

Well, looks like we're pretty well boned on this issue.

If you have a manual folding knife, you may find that tightening the pivot-screw may be all that's required. Unfortunately, there's ambiguity as to whether that's acceptable because they assess knives on the basis of their design, not necessarily what's sitting in front of them. All that's definitely acceptable are knives with a spring that gives them a bias toward closing.

For those who are interested, here is the relevant portion of the response:

The folding knives that are not controlled on import are generally designed with a blade
that has a bias towards closing. The blade is held shut with the tension of a spring
along the handle of the folding knife or is designed with an effective looking device that
holds the blade in the closed position even when the blade is subjected to inertia or
centrifugal force. The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (Customs
and Border Protection) has classified many folding knives as non prohibited imports
based on an examination of the opening methods required.

Customs and Border Protection officers do not loosen pivot screws on folding knives
unless the screws have been tightened so hard that the knife blade cannot be opened
at all, even with two hands. Classifications are made on the design of the knife or the
associated parts that are also controlled on importation.

[denis barden]

Purchased a Leek last week from the US.It was confiscated by Aussie Customs.I never been in trouble with the law.Bet my bottom dollar Ill be on their data base and be searched every time I go thru customs.Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[Dragunov-21]

Doubt it. The law's just changed, bugger-all people even know about it. You're not gonna have to worry about receiving extra attention for it

[Robert.B]

Purchased a Leek last week from the US.It was confiscated by Aussie Customs.I never been in trouble with the law.Bet my bottom dollar Ill be on their data base and be searched every time I go thru customs.Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Spring assisted have been banned in Aus as long as I can remember...even if you imported it before they got a bee up their ass about single hand openers it would have been a gamble as per them confiscating it.

[jayinhk]

Just had a bunch of balisong combs and trainers seized:

In regards to the items the subject of this enquiry:
Butterfly Knives are now controlled under Schedule 13, Item 33 and parts thereof under Item 34, of theCustoms (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956, and require Ministerial Permission to Import into Australia.

All of the items depicted in the pictures supplied, are controlled and would require Ministerial Permission to Import into Australia.
Where the handles of a butterfly comb and/or a Burtterfly Trainer are assessed as strong enough to be capable of supporting an actual knife blade, these items would be classified as parts for Butterfly Knives and therefore controlled under Item 34. This would be subject to examination and assessment by Customs and Border Protection at the Border.

Please Note, There are now no provisions for private individuals seeking to import Items classified under Items 33 and 34 to receive Permission to Import for private purposes.

Attempting to import these items without permission is an offence under the Customs Act 1901.
Please refer to the attached fact sheet. Further information is located at our website link:http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page4372.asp

[Robert.B]

LOL!!! *facepalm*

[jayinhk]

I've sent dozens into Oz over the last few years, with permission from Oz Customs' Policy Unit: I even included a copy of my correspondence with them. These new laws suck. Glad I don't live down there!

[Dragunov-21]

Spring assisted have been banned in Aus as long as I can remember...even if you imported it before they got a bee up their ass about single hand openers it would have been a gamble as per them confiscating it.

Not at all. Spring-assisted openers with a trigger button (a la OTF folder or other "automatic" knife) were restricted, but spring-assisted knives have never been restricted imports. Possession is another matter, and varies from state to state.

[AusTac]

defence-force personnel are now rendered unable to purchase equipment that they require (also true).

Since we can't get cool folding knives any more, we just carry small-medium fixed blades, wanna cut some rope? Here borrow my Sog Seal Pup!

If were unable to carry fixed blades, every soldier is issued a bayonet.. we will always find away to carry a blade as its essential when on duty.

[Dragunov-21]

Sure, but should you have to resort to that? If I wanted one that badly I'd machine one myself or give a diagram to a machinist to do.

But not I (nor anyone else) should have to do this to bypass restrictions put in place to give some politico something distracting (and fundamentally impotent) to flap about in front of the media in the name of public safety.

[AS350]

Well, unless there are too many other long winded cases before me, Tomorrow 5-3-12 is D Day for my 3 Hinderer and 2 Air Rangers. Will they be in my hands or will they go to the honest officials belts? Bill is approaching 5K and will indeed be significantly more if ACS have their way. Dragunov-21 have you heard anything back or know of anything to point out to the Magistrate to improve my chances? Cheers. Wayne

[Dragunov-21]

Shit, wish I'd checked back sooner... I would have said that if your case was today, the seizure would have been pre-amendment. If that was that case and you were importing folders that the amendments closed the noose on, then I'd say that you would have had a case, supported by the fact that these amendments went through (indicating that the knives now explicitly banned may not have definitely been previously.

CBF writing it out properly since it's too late to do any good unless someone requests it.

I'm sorry you've been involved in a court-battle over it; I didn't realise.

On the offchance that your case wasn't heard today, send an email to my hotmail address. Username is snaiperskaya (didn't want to type it out in full because spambots are a bitch, but it's username@hotmail.com)

[jayinhk]

I misunderstood my buyer: he got the shipment from me just fine and it (surprisingly) wasn't expected. He's pretty lucky. He wanted to ask Oz Customs about importing balisong trainers and combs and they told him about the new rules and that there was a chance a balicomb or trainer could be classified as parts upon inspection. I told him to try importing one as a test and I'd split the cost with him 50/50 if it got seized.