Shipping to Australia, Customs forms?

joeyza

joeyza

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thanks to everyone who replied to my previous thread on shipping costs appreciate it!
Had one more question. I am shipping a para 2 to Australia in a bit. Any advice on what exactly to put on the customs forms in the item description section? Obviously I don't wanna be misleading bout whats in the package but I want to make sure that the knife doesn't get stopped at customs, just wanna make sure the guy gets the knife he paid for!
any advice from people who'v shipped to AUS appreciated!
 
You had better be prepared to have that knife confiscated. Australian customs does not allow one handed opening knives anymore. Try searching the forums for "Australian customs". Don't say you weren't warned if you proceed and things go belly up, because it most certainly will.
 
Whatever you put on the customs form, they will x-ray the package anyway. As Rev says, one-handers get stopped.
 
Man, I just shipped a para 2 to Australia. The receiver didn't seem too worried about customs, said he had a PM2 shipped to him before with no issues. I put knife on the customs form, but I did tighten the pivot down so it couldn't be flicked open. I sent it with tracking, should be there soon. I'll let you know what happens, joeyza.
 
fp_tourist said:
Man, I just shipped a para 2 to Australia. The receiver didn't seem too worried about customs, said he had a PM2 shipped to him before with no issues. I put knife on the customs form, but I did tighten the pivot down so it couldn't be flicked open. I sent it with tracking, should be there soon. I'll let you know what happens, joeyza.
Click to expand...

Thanks that'd be great!
 
fp_tourist said:
Man, I just shipped a para 2 to Australia. The receiver didn't seem too worried about customs, said he had a PM2 shipped to him before with no issues. I put knife on the customs form, but I did tighten the pivot down so it couldn't be flicked open. I sent it with tracking, should be there soon. I'll let you know what happens, joeyza.
Click to expand...
Here is a video that explains what Australian Customs will likely do when they first flag/Xray the package for being a knife, second, open said package, and third "test" the knife. I don't think the buyer was concerned because if he files a Paypal dispute, he wins. Also, tightening the pivot screws on a bushing really does nothing for the Para2 (trust me, I own 23 of them currently). The knife is designed in such a way that the blade will swing freely regardless of how tight the screws are. Think about the Sebenza 21 and the way it's designed. You torque everything down and it's smooth. The same goes for the Manix2, Manix2 XL, Yojimbo2, and maybe a couple other models. This change has been on the books in Australia for almost 3 years (December 2010). I also have a good friend that lives in Redbank Plains, Queensland.

[video]www.youtube.com/watch?v=NthM0-j76AU[/video]

Here is some additional educational material found with a cursory Google search:
http://forum.multitool.org/index.php?topic=35159.0
http://knives2survive.blogspot.com/2012/09/can-i-import-this-knife-detailed-look.html
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?258195-Australian-Customs-(
http://www.bowhunting-forum.com/archive/index.php?t-3739.html&
 
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Well, I was able to tighten the pivot to a point where it was much stiffer and I was unable to flick it open. The buyer sent payment through paypal gift so i wouldn't have to worry if something went wrong. I suppose only time will tell if it will get through.
 
same here I was paid by paypal gift, so its just a risk on their part. I have emailed him tho and asked if wants to reconsider the whole thing as I haven't shipped it yet. Will of course refund it if he wants but its up to him.
 
Yes as Rev has stated just now (well since late 2011) folders are presenting all kinds of issues and (as if often the case) the Customs application of the law is never black and white. Of course receipt of the knife is at the risk of the buyer but pretty anything other than very traditional folders have struggled to get in. Some Spidies have but again it seems hit and miss. My last folder to come through (decleared, opened and tested) was an Emerson A100 but I have my doubts now if that would still happen. Tightening the pivot is also controversal as well, there is some anecdotal information about that if cCustoms "beieve" a pivot has been over tightened (to foil the centrifugal test) they will loosen it.

A to description, "Knife" "Folding Knife" (if so) "Fixed Blade Knife" (if so) are the best descriptions. As I have stated before "Camping Tool" etc etc does not change the fact that each and every package that enters through the mail is sanned so the contents are no secret. Even with this YES things slip through unnoticed but that is a significant gamble.

If a person is constantly attempting to prohibited knives (as define by Customs) they can expect a visit from Customs and their State Police (with a search warrent) and may well have to explain the origin of each and every knife that fails the Customs test no matter that they are PERFECTLY LEGAL to possess, Customs is chasing the origin to establish if they have arrived as contraband.

Don't take me stating all this as in anyway agreeing with teh process but just now it is what it is.

FIXED BLADE knives present very very few issues. Provided the knife is not a "dagger" (permits to import daggers are easy to obtain) and that the handle does not include a "knuckle duster" type arrangement Customs here have NO interest in them.

Andy
 
For what it's worth, I just got word that the PM2 arrived safely. I wasn't aware the knife laws were so strict before sending it. If I had been, I may not have shipped it. Either way, the knife made it through.
 
The guy that bought mine said he received a couple of PM 2's aswell so it seems quite a few of them are getting through. I went ahead and shipped mine off to him per his request. Hope they get there!
 
From what I have heard Customs have clarified their interpretation of "one handed opening" a bit. My understanding of the Regulations is a one-handed opening knife was one which was opened by means of a device (eg spring assist/automatic) or centrifugal force. A couple of years ago they re-interpreted it to mean any knife which could be opened with one hand, eg using a thumb stud/hole. I have heard that they've tightened up their interpretation again, and I think they're now focusing on the assisted/autos and those you can flick open again. I am aware of Spyderco Delica's and Dragonfly's recently being cleared. I am a little surprised the PM2 made it.

I have also heard Customs are working on a more consistent approach with clearing knives (eg if they clear a knife of a particular model that model should be good to import).

This is just my 2nd hand understanding of the recent changes. I have been meaning to contact Aussie Customs myself and clarify.

As others have said, it's a Very Bad Idea to mis-describe your knife or try to fool the detection process. Not only is it unlikely to work but it could end up with charges being laid.

:)
 
Customs have recently determined the para 2 as a non controlled import into Australia. They may still apply a flick test but the para 2 should pass. A lot have been stopped, examined and passed recently. However , anything with an Axis lock is not allowed. Small sebenzas are fine, large ones are not.

If it is seized, in most cases if the package is declared properly then the buyer can pay for customs to have it sent back to the seller so it is not seized/destroyed. Worst case is the buyer gets stung some shipping costs and a bit of hassle for all involved.

Guys, please don't stop selling to us here in Australia!
 
Guys, there should be no problem about sending a PMII to Australia.

There's been a lot of discussion about this knife recently on the forum: http://www.australianbladeforums.com/vb4/showthread.php?7497-Spyderco-Para See posts 20 and 30 in particular.

Thankfully, Aussie customs have been alowing this one in. It's a great little folder and there should be no dramas in sending them our way! Just describe it on the customs form as it is - should be good to go.

JT
 
when I was shipping switchblades to Canada on the custom forms I put down a pocket knife. at the time I didn't know that switchblades where not allowed in Canada. not one of my switchblade got lost to customs taking it too. but I do now know switchblades are not allowed so I refuse to ship anything there.
 
I would be extremely careful about sending this knife to Australia! I have had a Manix 2, LIghtweight, seized recently, which I am still trying to get released. Different Customs officers may interpret the rules slightly differently. It is now 10 pm Wednesday, South Australian time, I have an appointment with Customs on Friday morning at 9:45 am. I will ask about the Paramilitary 2 for you, as they have a list of allowed, not allowed knives. If it is not on the list, it SHOULD be allowed in, especially if you send a note saying that you have checked the list, maybe giving the name of the Customs officer as a reference. Other than that, you can apply to the federal minister for home affairs, with a form downloaded from the customs website. I gave a link for that form today in another post. Search for my handle and you should find it.
Edited to add: They may claim they have tested the knife without actually having tested it. They say they have tested my Manix 2, but couldn't tell me whether it opened due to gravity, inertia or centrifugal force. :rolleyes:
 
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Well, well, well. I have been to Customs this morning, and Marc9910 was right! The Paramilitary 2 is not a controlled knife, and should pass! Well done sir, you are a credit and an asset to this forum. However I do have a caveat. Australian Customs have only tested one model, which was the CPN, in S30V steel. Of course they test them as they get their hands on a particular model, and base their opinion on that huge sample of 1. ;) So I would advise you to
1. Remove any model identification from the package, so that they hopefully assume it is the same model
2. Tighten the heck out of the pivot screw, in case they test it anyway.
3. Maybe put a note in that according to information received from Customs on the date of 23/8/2013, at the time of 9:30 am, this information was confirmed as accurate by a Customs officer, in person. :)

With reference to my Manix 2, it turns out that if you hold the lock open, it will swing open easily, so that is the reason it is on the list of controlled knives. I am going to appeal to the minister anyway, but think my chances aren't too good. Oh well.

Cheers, numbersman.
 
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