International Shipping

james terrio

james terrio

Sharpest Knife in the Light Socket
Joined
Apr 15, 2010
Messages
22,618
I am nervous as a cat in roomful of rocking chairs... about to ship my first custom order to Australia. I would greatly appreciate any tips you folks have about packaging, preferred shipping carriers, being honest on the customs form without attracting undue attention, insurance etc. Thanks!
 
If you go USPS you can get a reasonable rate. i shipped to Malaysia for about $57. I have used Kitchen utensil, harvesting implement etc on the customs form. It is truthful but does not draw attention like BOWIE KNIFE. I have even used "wall hanging" as it was truthfully going to be hung on the wall. I also have shipped DHL and looked at Fed Ex and UPS. They all came within about $10 of each other and it cost $148 to ship to Malaysia. Also make it very clear to the customer that they are assuming all responsibility after you put the package in the mail. If their customs confiscates the knife it has to be their problem. You cannot verify all the laws for all the countries you may want to ship to. It is the customers responsibility to ensure they are within the law of the land. This has worked well for me. I am sure others will chime in.
 
I mailed several to Austrailia but they were all folders. I was told to make sure the blades did not open to easy. I used Air mail without insurance and no tracing number. It got there quite quickly. These were from Canada. Frank
 
This order is two large fixed-blade Bowies. I made it clear to the client that I had no idea about shipping overseas and he would have to cover the necessary costs and assume legal responsibility, before I even quoted him a price on the knives themselves. Nonetheless, I want to do whatever I can to make sure he gets them safely. He's been more than patient with me and deserves the best service I can deliver.

I heard back from the client just now, he says it is OK to declare them as custom-made bowies, as long as they're not switchblades (they aren't). I will look into insuring them to the hilt ( ho ho) just in case something happens and I need to refund his money or re-build the knives for him.

Thanks again, and please keep your thoughts, advice and experiences coming. This is my most challenging and expensive order to date, and I do not want to foul it up now.
 
I have found that Fedex is good from the US. May be a little extra but they seem to have far less issues at this end (Australia).

FYI, our customs guys have decided to really crack down on most folders but fixed blades are generally OK unless double edged.

Good luck and good on you for dealing with someone out of the US :thumbup:
 
giant1 said:
FYI, our customs guys have decided to really crack down on most folders but fixed blades are generally OK unless double edged.
Click to expand...

How do they check that? X-ray? Tear open the package and look? These two both have sharpened clips and sawteeth on the spine but are not "double-edged" all the way back.

Zombiefinished002.jpg
 
I recommend using USPS Global Express because you get a tracking # and it requires a signature. Easier for buyer to know it was sent and follow it. It costs a little more than Global Priority but worth it.
 
USPS is by FAR the cheapest and the funny part is that almost everything other than bulk mail goes by air these days unless it is within your own state or one pretty close by and they pretty much stopped using the airlines years ago and started using Fedex and UPS once both of them established their expedited delivery services. When you send a USPS Express Mail overnight package, you are likely going Fedex but at a greatly reduced price. The only downside is that USPS does not have quite the ironclad delivery time guarantee.
 
The Australian postal system is not perfect but is pretty good. I have never had an item go missing either coming from overseas or posted within Australia. Tracking is of questionable accuracy but at a minimum you should have some arrangement that confirms delivery of the goods to the buyer.

The customs issue can be inconsistent but I have never had an item refused entry by Australian Customs. I could not imagine a problem with a single edge Bowie style knife. I have heard of issues with Quarantine relating to natural handle materials, particularly with some Asian imports. Make it clear to the buyer that any problem with Customs is his/her problem and seizure will not be grounds for a refund.

A couple of things that go directly to your post:

If the item is a knife then call it a knife or use the term 'cutlery'. 'Hunting knife' is another option. I have seen 'camping tool', 'garden tool' etc but many of the items are x-rayed and Customs knows what is in the package. I don't recommend terms like 'scalping knife', 'fighting knife' etc.

Declare the full value of the goods. I have never been charged duty or any form of import tax. Customs does not bother to collect taxes on goods valued under $1000 unless they think the quantity suggests some commercial purpose. Undervaluing or declaring something as a gift serves no purpose and makes buyer and seller appear dishonest.
 
I buy a lot of stuff from USA. I had Dan Koster send me a knife just last week. USPS is the way to go. If I can I will normally ask the seller to go international priority with tracking. Costs a bit more but worth it. The knife Dan sent me arrived to me in 11 days and had tracking all the way. It sat in customs here for a week!

Matt
 
I had a few things confiscated in years past but all were folders, either assisted opening (banned) or the pivot was simply too loose and it could be wrist flicked open.

My name must be on a list because every knife I've bought for the last 6 months (maybe 15-20, I bought knives for myself plus knife-crazy friends here :) ) had been opened and inspected by customs. Even fixed blades. All have passed through fine. Before that it seemed like maybe 1 in every 3 or 4 would get inspected.

If I were you I would be worried about that sharpened clip. The law is pretty clear that it counts as a double edge, or Dagger, and they are banned.

All is not lost though, if customs do inspect it, deem it a prohibited weapon and decide to keep it, you can get permission to still get the knife.

This is from memory, last it happened to me was about a year ago:

Customs will send the Aussie a letter saying they have kept the knife(ves) and will destroy them in 30 days (approx, from memory) unless they hear from you. You ring them and say you're going to get approval, that gets you some extra time.

Then the customer needs to go to the police weapons department and get a form, applying for approval to import a prohibited weapon. You need to provide them with proof you are in a knife club (AKC, you can join if it happens) and a little book documenting your collection, they let you know all the details of what you need to do anyway.

I have a couple emails from them with info I can forward on if you let me know your email, or send me one: stevenkelby@hotmail.com

Either way I'm sure he can get them into the country, it just may be a hassle.

Not sure what the chances are of getting stopped by customs.

I would declare it as a Camping Tool or maybe Kitchen Tool or Cutlery.

Also, I have had customs hold onto things for maybe 6 month before letting them through, but never had anything not arrive eventually. The last thing was a Hinderer XM-24 blade only that nick Rossi reground and shipped last year, it arrived last month. I assume Customs were waiting for the other half of the knife to arrive at their desk so they could say it's a prohibited item, got sick of waiting, and let it through. I had the handle here the whole time luckily.

Also I've read stories on other forums of customs inspecting knives ad keeping them, then letting identical knives through for other people, depends on which customs officer you get I guess, and how he interprets the very vague guidelines they have. Except for the double edge thing, that looks pretty clear to me.

Hope that helps, the knives look fantastic, hope they get here safe!
 
Hi James. The only issue with these knives is the sharpened swedge, which brings them under the double edge customs law. This means that there is a possibility of them being confiscated based on a bit of luck. Like NZ. any item Over a certain set dollar value is always looked at.. Then they will X-ray, and open if necessary. Any knife which is designed to improve stabbing is against import law.

You could either Dull the Swedge, or tell the owner to get an import licence for the knife. Ultimately its his problem and he should have known what is acceptable before getting you to make the knives.

Hand Made Camp Tool is a good customs declaration.

PDF of import restrictions
 
Good points, I'll also mentions I've had knives marked at $10 value opened and inspected so it's not based on the value.

Dulling the swedge may not help as any knife where the 2nd edge can be sharpened (is designed to be).

I remember reading it in the stuff they sent me. I Googled and found reference to it here:

http://aushunt.com.au/wiki/index.php5?title=Knife_legislation

* Daggers or similar devices (inc knives with a second edge or false edge capable of being sharpened);
 
Steven, we must have posted at the same time :)

in NZ it doesn't even have to be sharp, so you are right. anything that looks designed to Stab, is banned. when doing a swedge and shipping I get around this by adding a knife design pamphlet inside the package with nice big lines pointing to Features :D 1 big line points to the "Aerodynamic thinned tip for improved skinning of large game" or some other thing like that which makes it clear that its a hunter..

Unfortunately.. looking at the size the recurve, the swedge, and the Sawback, then NZ customs would probably ban this.. and Auzzie is worse than us now.
I really reccomend that the Australian customer pre-file an import request for this knife under Militia and Collectibles etc.. or Martial Arts training.. (if he does martial arts) and then he can provide the file number in advance to customs.. Without doing this I think its 50/50 of loosing that style of knife.
 
james terrio said:
How do they check that? X-ray? Tear open the package and look? These two both have sharpened clips and sawteeth on the spine but are not "double-edged" all the way back.

Zombiefinished002.jpg
Click to expand...


James

I think the Aussie buyer needs to have a permit in place for any of the knives pictured. He would be well advised to get the permit before the knives are shipped. Once he or she has the permit they should send you a copy to include with the package because customs will open the box up and inspect it.

I don't think you should be put off or worried as long as the buyer does what needs to be done at their end. If they don't then all responsibility is on them.

If the knives (pictured) were single edged then there would be no drama and no paper work required.
 
James, Kyley speaks with wisdom (A NZer and all... :D)!

From my experience the following is also true but I would advise people to make their own enquiries before rely on this:

The postal service in Australia is decent. However... Australian Customs and Border Protection have opened EVERY package of knives/machetes/hawks that I have imported into this country.
Sorry for all the commas, but here goes:
As the holder of a 'prohibited weapons permit' in Victoria/Australia, and someone who has imported small numbers prohibited weapons into Australia for personal collection, it is my understanding that, unless the buyer has a valid B710 form approved by Customs (which would have required an approved B709B form from their State/Territory police before Customs will grant the B710), Customs will seize any knife with a sharpened swedge :grumpy:. The rate of inspection is high. If you 'chance it' and the unapproved goods are seized, Customs will most likely issue the buyer with a 'Notice of Seizure' and allow them 30 days max to apply for a B144 'Claim for Return' of goods to the buyer - if the B144 is approved this allows for a 120 day extension before the good are 'forfeited to the Crown' (usually destroyed), this should allow enough time for a 'first timer' to get their proper B710/B709B approval (B710 forms are available on their website www.customs.gov.au or the buyer can call 1300363 263 in Oz).
Caveats: If Customs gets snakey, especially if it is not the first time the buyer has infringed, they can be charged ($$ and jail). Also, lodging the correct forms does not guarantee approval.
In short, hopefully the buyer already knows this and can satisfy you by sending relevant approvals/copies to be included with the parcel so that a seizure notice can be avoided - b/c otherwise it is a PITA. It should work but there are a few extra steps for Aussie buyers and hopefully not too much extra for you to do, James, other than including relevant approvals in the package. "Collector's knives" is a reasonable Customs declaration and is likely the most accurate as the B709B/B710 will probably be sought as a 'Genuine Collector' by the buyer.

Apologies for any inaccuracies in the above but that is my understanding of the process.

I echo others sentiments - the knives look great :thumbup:, I thank you for dealing with someone outside USA and I wish you well getting them into Australia :thumbup::thumbup:.
 
I ship to Oz pretty often and never had a problem although it does take a while.I label it camp tool.Very nice Bowie pair BTW!
 
I was unclear earlier; neither knife is sharpened yet. so I will hold off on sharpening the swedges and leave that up to the client. Thank you again for your encouragement and guidance, gentlemen! I'll forward this thread to my client and we'll work from there.

Thanks also for the kind words about the knives. They were definitely challenging and I learned a lot making them... got a few grey hairs, too :D
 
James. They look super !!! I would make a wooden box that fits indide of a cardboard one to send them in. Frank
 
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