Help!! Is MD Shrike considered a dagger?

Steelwolf · May 10, 2001

Customs have seized my MD Shrike which I bought from a forum member. (Note to self: remind people I buy from not to use the word "Dagger" in the goods description. Immediate red-flag and customs seizure.)

No real fault of the guy who sold it to me. I should have told him not to use the word. But now that he has, can I claim from Customs that it is not a dagger? I thought there was only one sharp edge on it, but looking more carefully at the MD website, it says "Full sharpened false edge".

I'm screwed, aren't I?

Nick · May 10, 2001

I know this doesn't answer your question, but I'd be mad at the shipper for using the term "dagger". I think your gonna have to see what your laws describe as a dagger, if they say any double edged knife I guess your screwed.
Nick

James Healy · May 10, 2001

Ok Steelwolf, you're screwed, but you can un-screw yourself

What you have to do is go to your district police station (just ring the local one and ask), and talk to the District firearms officer (that's what he's called in Vic). Through him you can apply for a weapons import exemption liscence, which allows you to import all sorts of goodies which are normally verboten here - such as balisongs, autos, and yes, DAGGERS!!!

Once you've got this permit in your hot little hands, you can import the shrike legally.

So there

Hope i helped.

James

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[This message has been edited by James Healy (edited 05-10-2001).]

Steelwolf · May 10, 2001

James, thanks for the tip. But is it too late for this Shrike? It's already in Perth. Should I have gotten hold of this license before I had the Shrike brought in? And what do I need to show to the police officer before he will approve the license? What will such a license cost? How long will it take to get approval?

Hope you can answer these questions for me. Thanks very much.

Steelwolf · May 10, 2001

Oh yeah. It is not the seller's fault. He said that he declared it as a hunting knife, though the letter from Customs said "1xMad Dog Dagger". I guess the Customs official was just trying to get the knife impounded. Wouldn't be the first time they wanted a cut. I'm going to get it sorted out tomorrow.

At the very least, I hope they allow me to send it back to the seller. I've written to him and explained the situation and he has been kind enough to say that he will take it back. I don't expect any refunds if it goes back, but he has been kind enough to say that we can work it out to make sure that it is fair for everyone.