What happened if your package is seized by Customs...

blade4sell

blade4sell

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I've sold many knives international. This is my first time having a package seized by Australian Custom. Buyer contacted me of this bad news. Buyer said he has submitted all forms to have package returned back to me? I promise buyer that once I get package back, I will refund.

So anyone ever experience this type of situation? All I care about is getting my package back safely. I really don't mind refunding as along as i get it back safely. It is an expensive piece.
 
Seized but they're going to return it to you ? Don't know about that I ship all over the world just not knives your situation is why I don't hope it works out for doesn't sound good to me . Did you use the Post Office if so I would contact them and see what they can do on this end.
 
It's the sellers responsibility to ensure the package gets to the buyer. That means doing a little homework to figure out the legality of such an item. Most often times a buyer has no idea of what their own laws are, out of ignorance or laziness, but rest assured if customs confiscates and item and destroys it, you the seller will be on the hook. It doesn't matter if you state "I am not responsible for the item once I ship it", that is BS.

If you sent a folder to Australia, you're going to have to eat the cost of the knife and refunding the buyer their money. It's been discussed quite a bit. One handed opening knives are more than likely not going to get accepted into the country. Tis is not new and certainly not a secret. If the item has been banned, it's likely to get destroyed.

Here is a video example of what they will do.

Here is a document on what the customs laws are regarding knives. Tis was the very first hit on Google and Bing by the way.

Here is some more information aon the legalities on importation, from their government webpage
 
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LEGION 12 said:
Did you use the Post Office if so I would contact them and see what they can do on this end.
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....nothing that either the USPS or Aus Post can do to help as if the recipient has received a notice of seizure then the knife it no longer with either postal service and is awaiting determination by Customs here, they can decide to send it back (at the senders cost I believe) or seize it permanently and send it off for destruction.
 
There are mixed reports about Customs allowing the return of a seized blade, *IF* this is the first one he has had seized I *think* that will allow it. I would not be banking on this too much longer however. If an importer has had several seized prior I think the odds of it being returned to the sender and less AND the odds of a prosecution more. The issues will folders out here are well known and the videos of how Customs and Boarder Protection test said knives are well circulated.
 
RevDevil said:
It's the sellers responsibility to ensure the package gets to the buyer. That means doing a little homework to figure out the legality of such an item. Most often times a buyer has no idea of what their own laws are, out of ignorance or laziness, but rest assured if customs confiscates and item and destroys it, you the seller will be on the hook. It doesn't matter if you state "I am not responsible for the item once I ship it", that is BS.

If you sent a folder to Australia, you're going to have to eat the cost of the knife and refunding the buyer their money. It's been discussed quite a bit. One handed opening knives are more than likely not going to get accepted into the country. Tis is not new and certainly not a secret.
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Rev you are right on the mark as usual, I laugh when I read in some of the threads that say's once I mail it I'm not responsible for the item, They need to talk to PP and they will get a good education about who is responsible. If Australian Customs has it now it's over & done with, I have some friends that are dealers & they will ship to Russia but not to Australia because they are by far the worst. PP will find for the buyer every time. "Good Luck" estateforlife
 
That is a bummer to say the least! I ship to Australia all the time sometimes Hazmat customer has to get a forwarder for me to ship so I don't have to deal with all the hassles .
 
I sold a large Cold Steel to a guy there. Customs had an issue with it and sent it back to me, took a while but I got it back. I should have known better and won't do it again. Odd law to me, but hey, it's their rules.
 
ohen cepel said:
I sold a large Cold Steel to a guy there. Customs had an issue with it and sent it back to me, took a while but I got it back. I should have known better and won't do it again. Odd law to me, but hey, it's their rules.
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Some hope...as long as I get it back.

No more Aussie!!!!
 
estate4life said:
So Australia is on my "do not send list"......what other country should I add? anyone?
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All of em... <runs and ducks for cover...>:D

Seriously, there was a whole thread here recently about people not wanting to deal with international shipping because of hassles just like this.
 
If you want to still ship international better do your research myself not shipping any knives out of the country ask them if there's anybody in the states you can ship to another option.
 
Did you happen to crank down the pivot so that it couldn't be flicked open? I've read that doing so can help knives get through Canadian customs, not sure of it would have made a difference here.
 
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