Can I ship a balisong overseas to California?

I

ilikecookiesandpie

Joined
Jan 14, 2015
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2
Hello, first post

I want to purchase 1 CCC balisong knife from DHGate and have it shipped to California. However, I am scared that it will be intercepted and I will have to face severe consequences. I intend to own the knife (possess) and not carry it, and just want to know if I can get a balisong shipped to Cali.

Any input is appreciated

Thanks!
 
As far as state law, there is nothing in the California state penal code that says it is illegal for a person to ship a balisong TO THEMSELVES.

Here are a few links to the California penal code from the official California state government website. Bear in mind that under California law, a balisong is regarded as a "gravity knife", and "gravity" knives are considered "switchblades".

Here is how California law defines a "switchblade" (CA penal code 17235)- http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PEN&sectionNum=17235

And here is the law regarding what is illegal to do with "switchblades" in the state of California (CA penal code 21510)- http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PEN&sectionNum=21510

Although it is illegal to import a "switchblade" into the state of California FOR SALE, shipping a knife to yourself is not an act of sale, nor any manner of transfer (passing from the possession of one person to another).

That's California state law. I don't know if it is illegal to ship a balisong into the US from another country.
 
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I just did a little checking, and the Federal Switchblade Act makes it illegal to import butterfly knives into the US. Looks like you're out of luck. Don't do it.

Do an internet search for "Federal Switchblade Act" and you can read it for yourself.
 
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killgar said:
I just did a little checking, and the Federal Switchblade Act makes it illegal to import butterfly knives into the US. Looks like you're out of luck. Don't do it.

Do an internet search for "Federal Switchblade Act" and you can read it for yourself.
Click to expand...

That is correct, Spyderco (among others) got in deep fecal matter over that a few years ago.
 
LAHST Handmade knives said:
I wonder how the masses of Chinese songs make their way into all of the cigarette shops in town, loophole or hidden hole?
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Same way illegal drugs get in: Customs can't stop them all. In fact Customs is probably putting way more effort into finding the drugs than the knives.
 
So say I introduced a MTech Twist or a fake BM42 into the US by purchasing it off iOffer or DHGate. Would that be enough to get Customs Patrol knocking on my door?
 
ilikecookiesandpie said:
So say I introduced a MTech Twist or a fake BM42 into the US by purchasing it off iOffer or DHGate. Would that be enough to get Customs Patrol knocking on my door?
Click to expand...

They won't knock on your door unless you import in bulk. Then they will be there to arrest you.
But, importing just one can put you under investigation and possibly getting fined, if they happen to inspect your illegal shipment.
Then anything you import will likely be flagged for inspection.
 
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