- Joined
- Mar 24, 2006
- Messages
- 142
I have been through the process of importing a Kershaw AO knife from the US.
I really did not think that this would be a problem, it clearly was not a traditional switchblade or automatic. I was quite wrong, it was seized by Customs and I had about three month to give a reason why they should give it back to me. Luckily I am a bona fide member of a knife collectors club here in AU and this allowed me a genuine reason to purchase this knife for my collection.
After numerous phone calls, emails and paperwork I did everything required to eventually get my knife back. Six weeks later this became a reality.
What I really do not understand is that another brand AO'ing knives with identical actions were available in various retail stores in our own State and in about half of our other States. (Not all States allow AO'ers) So, if I wanted to buy a different brand with AO feature, all I had to do is to go to a suitable retail store and buy one over the counter.
It is legal to own and use AO knives in our state BUT only if you buy it through a retail store. If you import an AO knife yourself, it will be confiscated by Customs....Next time I can overcome this by applying for a "permit to import" this particular item as a collector and then Customs will let me have it upon arrival.......
http://www.justice.sa.gov.au/offensive weapons2004.pdf pages 6 & 7
http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4369#e1066
http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/FS_Importing_exporting_knives1.pdf
I really did not think that this would be a problem, it clearly was not a traditional switchblade or automatic. I was quite wrong, it was seized by Customs and I had about three month to give a reason why they should give it back to me. Luckily I am a bona fide member of a knife collectors club here in AU and this allowed me a genuine reason to purchase this knife for my collection.
After numerous phone calls, emails and paperwork I did everything required to eventually get my knife back. Six weeks later this became a reality.
What I really do not understand is that another brand AO'ing knives with identical actions were available in various retail stores in our own State and in about half of our other States. (Not all States allow AO'ers) So, if I wanted to buy a different brand with AO feature, all I had to do is to go to a suitable retail store and buy one over the counter.
It is legal to own and use AO knives in our state BUT only if you buy it through a retail store. If you import an AO knife yourself, it will be confiscated by Customs....Next time I can overcome this by applying for a "permit to import" this particular item as a collector and then Customs will let me have it upon arrival.......
http://www.justice.sa.gov.au/offensive weapons2004.pdf pages 6 & 7
http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4369#e1066
http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/FS_Importing_exporting_knives1.pdf