concerns about customs

[Charlie Mike]

I've been wondering about how it will go when I redeploy and we go through customs. I will have among other things, a MT Socom D/A and a new release CFO2. Several of my friends here also have BM and MT autos. Will these things get confiscated from us on our return home? Do military redeployments even go through customs? Where should I put my knives (A bag, B bag, Ruck, etc)? I'm kinda scared here.

 

[Roadrunner]

When I went to Korea I had to go through customs both ways. I flew on a MAC (Military Air Command) flight on the way there and a commercial flight on the way back, so your situation may be a lot different. I suspect that your command will want to look through your stuff to make sure you aren't smuggling through any war trophies. I don't know if customs will give you all a hard time or not. All three times I flew in commercially, they never searched my bags. They just wanted me to declare anything I might have. Again, it could be a lot different for you. I'd say that if you fly on a military transport and carry along your weapon, just carry them with you. If that's not an option, put them in your B bag. Sorry I can't help you further, maybe someone with more experience can chime in with more information. Good luck either way.

 

[TheBadGuy]

I wouldn't worry about it. Your in the military and legally able to own said knives. They are made in the US, so its not like your trying to import another country's autos. Just remember the use of the word "Tool" and you'll be fine

 

[lifter4Him]

Your best bet is to mail them home to yourself. Unless you have a letter from your commander specifically giving you permission to have them, they will probably be confiscated.

 

[Gollnick]

It is a common myth that just being in the military or just being a law-enforcement officer allows you to buy, own, and carry automatic knives. It does not. Under the Federal Switchblade Act, LEOs and soldiers may buy autos only if they are the official supply officer for their agency/unit and if the knives being purchased for the agency/service and for offical use. Soldiers and LEOs may not own personal automatic knives under the Federal Switchblade Act, only their agencies or services may. And LEOs and soldiers may keep and carry automatic knives only in the line of duty.

Keep in mind that the Federal Switchblade Act only applies to interstate transportation. State laws differ from state-to-state and some do permit private citizens to purchase, own, and even carry autos. Oregon does. So, it's legal for me in Oregon to own a Microtech Halo, for example. There's just one problem: The Halo is made in Florida; how are you going to get it to Oregon without interstate transportation in violation of the Federal Switchblade Act? The answer is: I don't know and I don't care to know. As far as I know, Microtech as prefected the Startrek transporter beam and all of MT autos in Oregon got here that way. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!

 

[VMA65]

Solid,

RR is correct about the Customs process to and from Korea, but when deployed to Kuwait the Customs process was very simple and limited to random search; I’d follow lifter's advice