Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Ian · Today, 02:45 PM

Gents,

I think the ivory issue is unlikely to be the reason for Adam's keris being seized. I have heard of other items being confiscated because there is a belief that anything labeled as a weapon will be problematic importing onto Australia. This takes staff time for the shipper (in this case Pitney-Bowes) at the Australian end. I have formed the opinion that P-B has developed a policy that anything suggesting a weapon cannot be sent to Australia because it may cause them problems entering the country, eating up staff time, and losing them money.

The major shipping companies (UPS, DHL, FedEx, etc.) charge exorbitant fees for shipping from the US to Australia. This is because they are shipping companies, not a postal service. All shipments go through a formal Customs review coning into the country.

For auction items shipped via one of these shipping companies, I am plagued with requests for documentation. I must provide a copy of the purchase order prepared b y the seller. The item descriptions often contain mistakes and use certain words that trigger a nasty response from Customs. For example, sellers should never use the word "dagger" in their description. The official Australian Customs" and Police Dept's definition of a dagger is a symmetrical, double-edged blade, where the edge extends the whole length (or nearly the whole length) of the blade. However, if th seller labels a knife as a dagger, Australian Customs will treat it as of it meets the legal definition. This can present a problem for importers of keris into Australia.

Recent laws in some (but not all) Australian States have been poorly written to address concerns about machetes, whch have been used by juvenile gangs and others in street fighting and home invasions. These laws are so badly written that any large knife, bayonet, or sword can fit the definition of a machete. "Machete" is another term that should never be used to describe a knife entering this country.

Then we have laws and regulations covering edged weapons that might possibly be classified as concealed weapons. The cut off is an overall length of about 14 inches. Thus, everyday multi-purpose sheath knives, folding knives, and even box cutters are suspect and may require special permission to import. Strangely, kitchen knives and butchers' knives are not considered potential weapons.

To legally import edged weapons requires a permit from the State Police department where the applicant resides. In my State (Victoria), this requires a Form B709B, which is issued by the Police Commissioner's office. Application must be made for each individual item that is being imported using Form 1190. The process for each State differs slightly, and the application process can take several weeks. Only individuals who have satisfied certain criteria are eligible to apply for such a permit to import. Achieving the status of "bona fide collector" is one way. This requires another layer of bureaucratic red tape that must be navigated every three years, and entitles that person to apply for an import permit.

Being a collector of edged weapons in Australia is a marathon of bureaucratic hurdles put in place to make the public feel safer (notice I said feel safer).

End of rant!

Today, 02:45 PM	#44
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,715	Gents, I think the ivory issue is unlikely to be the reason for Adam's keris being seized. I have heard of other items being confiscated because there is a belief that anything labeled as a weapon will be problematic importing onto Australia. This takes staff time for the shipper (in this case Pitney-Bowes) at the Australian end. I have formed the opinion that P-B has developed a policy that anything suggesting a weapon cannot be sent to Australia because it may cause them problems entering the country, eating up staff time, and losing them money. The major shipping companies (UPS, DHL, FedEx, etc.) charge exorbitant fees for shipping from the US to Australia. This is because they are shipping companies, not a postal service. All shipments go through a formal Customs review coning into the country. For auction items shipped via one of these shipping companies, I am plagued with requests for documentation. I must provide a copy of the purchase order prepared b y the seller. The item descriptions often contain mistakes and use certain words that trigger a nasty response from Customs. For example, sellers should never use the word "dagger" in their description. The official Australian Customs" and Police Dept's definition of a dagger is a symmetrical, double-edged blade, where the edge extends the whole length (or nearly the whole length) of the blade. However, if th seller labels a knife as a dagger, Australian Customs will treat it as of it meets the legal definition. This can present a problem for importers of keris into Australia. Recent laws in some (but not all) Australian States have been poorly written to address concerns about machetes, whch have been used by juvenile gangs and others in street fighting and home invasions. These laws are so badly written that any large knife, bayonet, or sword can fit the definition of a machete. "Machete" is another term that should never be used to describe a knife entering this country. Then we have laws and regulations covering edged weapons that might possibly be classified as concealed weapons. The cut off is an overall length of about 14 inches. Thus, everyday multi-purpose sheath knives, folding knives, and even box cutters are suspect and may require special permission to import. Strangely, kitchen knives and butchers' knives are not considered potential weapons. To legally import edged weapons requires a permit from the State Police department where the applicant resides. In my State (Victoria), this requires a Form B709B, which is issued by the Police Commissioner's office. Application must be made for each individual item that is being imported using Form 1190. The process for each State differs slightly, and the application process can take several weeks. Only individuals who have satisfied certain criteria are eligible to apply for such a permit to import. Achieving the status of "bona fide collector" is one way. This requires another layer of bureaucratic red tape that must be navigated every three years, and entitles that person to apply for an import permit. Being a collector of edged weapons in Australia is a marathon of bureaucratic hurdles put in place to make the public feel safer (notice I said feel safer). End of rant!