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Post by gabriel on Apr 13, 2016 0:08:56 GMT
Are there any Australians here that Buy Katanas from over seas (Kult of Athena) And have any troubles with Customs or any trouble at all? Sorry if this is a stupid question but the prices over here are Ridiculous at best. and where i live there is only 1 sword shop in the whole state that is stocked with mostly Stainless steel Replicas. Thanks Guys
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Post by gabriel on Apr 13, 2016 0:12:45 GMT
I did ring Customs and they have stated that Katanas are not Regulated. Tho i know the Bureaucracy that is our Government and just wanted to double check. No Offense to Malcolm Turnbull Your a legend Mate Keep it up "The Cherry on top of a compost heap" As Paul Keating so eloquently stated XD Good lord a bit off topic sorry.
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Post by madmandom on Apr 13, 2016 0:26:39 GMT
Shouldn't have any problem.
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Post by gabriel on Apr 13, 2016 0:29:47 GMT
Shouldn't have any problem. That's Really Great News Thank you.
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Post by madmandom on Apr 13, 2016 0:36:42 GMT
Shouldn't have any problem. That's Really Great News Thank you. No problem
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Post by LG Martial Arts on Apr 13, 2016 0:38:50 GMT
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Paul
Member
Senior Forumite
Posts: 1,771
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Post by Paul on Apr 13, 2016 0:39:07 GMT
Hi Gabriel,
I have ordered several swords including katanas from KoA with no customs issues, so you should be fine.
The bigger issue is which state you live in. If you live in Victoria there are licencing issues you must comply with. This info is relevant to Victoria only, www.ballaratarms.com.au/swords-and-daggers.html
Cheers
Paul
FYI, I live in Victoria.
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Post by gabriel on Apr 13, 2016 0:43:44 GMT
Hi Gabriel, I have ordered several swords including katanas from KoA with no customs issues, so you should be fine. The bigger issue is which state you live in. If you live in Victoria there are licencing issues you must comply with. This info is relevant to Victoria only, www.ballaratarms.com.au/swords-and-daggers.html Cheers Paul Thank you So much Guys, I Don't live in Vic So all should be well, This is Great Thank you all for Quick response. Cause i got the sword bug and i need my fix Haha.
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Post by gabriel on Apr 13, 2016 0:45:40 GMT
Thats awesome! Who does not like a good ol bypass of regulations? Haha Thank you for the info.
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Post by pupeski on Nov 14, 2016 15:03:27 GMT
Hi- Just came across this thread would like to point out a few things. Worked in Federal Gov't several decades know the regs. but please don't hold that against me -- I'm retired now... Katana and other single edged blades are not restricted except the state of Victoria. Neither are Tanto but it is highly advisable not to refer to a Tanto as a "dagger" which is common practice. A true dagger is a boot knife, Fairbairn or similar with a double edge; these are prohibited imports although perfectly legal to own and purchase within most states of Australia. Go figure. I own a Sheffield Fairbairn which I bought at a local disposal store in Brisbane a couple of years ago. Just be aware that if the goods purchased equal or exceed AUD1000= they can and often will be held pending GST. Please note well that postage also is included in calculating the ultimate final value which can be a nasty surprise IE one may think that if they've done the math and paid USD750= (on current FOREX rates) and then the postage is say, USD100= then the calculated or assessed value becomes USD850= and that will certainly exceed AUD1000=. Should an item be "assessed" as being worth AUD1000= or greater the red-tape is legion and even in my case would find it time consuming and difficult if I did this without a licensed broker who will also charge for their services. A myriad of information is available on this link: www.border.gov.au/Busi/cargo-support-trade-and-goods/importing-goods/importing-by-post-or-mailThe process varies between shippers and it would be untoward for me to drop names of bonded warehouses and freight-forwarders but some of them are (unprintable) who will hold up goods just for the sake of creating work for themselves. Ironically good old Australia Post seem to be the best to deal with for reasons I can't go into here -- never had a single problem with them but bear in mind many overseas postal services and private couriers will not use AUST Post as a "Partner Facility", rather they use other brokerages and couriers who can be "difficult" to say the least. To add to this there may be a couple of other unpleasant surprises...if the item has on the invoice/ declaration words such as "buffalo horn" or "timber" or "ray-skin" there is a possibility the goods will then be referred to Dep't Agriculture who will physically inspect the goods. If the goods are less than AUD1000= the inspection by D.A. may be without charge but if over AUD1000= the inspection may well be charged at a rate of about AUD90= per 15 minutes. If the goods have fittings with snake skin, crocodile skin or -- heaven forbid -- any pachyderm (ivory) they certainly will be seized and destroyed under CITES convention rules. Ivory is under a LOT of scrutiny since the beginning of 2015, even in SE Asia. One last thing, if the sword is sold and declared as genuine Nihonto; be it new or antique and it is not accompanied by the correct export papers from the Japanese government it could likely be seized and returned to the Embassy of Japan in Canberra. To conclude the best advice is to especially communicate with the overseas seller beforehand, bearing in mind many of the above issues can be addressed by doing so. There are many such vendors who are well aware of our laws and regulations and will bend over backwards to assist in the process of shipping and facilitating the process. Personally I've purchased items and that was the case where the vendors could simply not do enough to ensure my cargo arrived without problems. So please don't be discouraged from purchasing the blade of your dreams if it appears and appeals to you. I'm just giving a case-scenario. Then again why not a bit of lateral thinking? Its not that expensive to travel these days and in my case I've had great results buying items overseas and bringing them back in checked luggage. A good sturdy aluminum guitar case will suffice for carrying more than a few well-wrapped blades; just check with the airline first and be sure to declare the goods upon arrival in Australia. Happy to answer any further queries from fellow enthusiasts in OZ or please do not hesitate to PM me. Mike, Brisbane
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Post by LG Martial Arts on Nov 14, 2016 16:36:26 GMT
Hi- Just came across this thread would like to point out a few things. Worked in Federal Gov't several decades know the regs. but please don't hold that against me -- I'm retired now... Katana and other single edged blades are not restricted except the state of Victoria. Neither are Tanto but it is highly advisable not to refer to a Tanto as a "dagger" which is common practice. A true dagger is a boot knife, Fairbairn or similar with a double edge; these are prohibited imports although perfectly legal to own and purchase within most states of Australia. Go figure. I own a Sheffield Fairbairn which I bought at a local disposal store in Brisbane a couple of years ago. Just be aware that if the goods purchased equal or exceed AUD1000= they can and often will be held pending GST. Please note well that postage also is included in calculating the ultimate final value which can be a nasty surprise IE one may think that if they've done the math and paid USD750= (on current FOREX rates) and then the postage is say, USD100= then the calculated or assessed value becomes USD850= and that will certainly exceed AUD1000=. Should an item be "assessed" as being worth AUD1000= or greater the red-tape is legion and even in my case would find it time consuming and difficult if I did this without a licensed broker who will also charge for their services. A myriad of information is available on this link: www.border.gov.au/Busi/cargo-support-trade-and-goods/importing-goods/importing-by-post-or-mailThe process varies between shippers and it would be untoward for me to drop names of bonded warehouses and freight-forwarders but some of them are (unprintable) who will hold up goods just for the sake of creating work for themselves. Ironically good old Australia Post seem to be the best to deal with for reasons I can't go into here -- never had a single problem with them but bear in mind many overseas postal services and private couriers will not use AUST Post as a "Partner Facility", rather they use other brokerages and couriers who can be "difficult" to say the least. To add to this there may be a couple of other unpleasant surprises...if the item has on the invoice/ declaration words such as "buffalo horn" or "timber" or "ray-skin" there is a possibility the goods will then be referred to Dep't Agriculture who will physically inspect the goods. If the goods are less than AUD1000= the inspection by D.A. may be without charge but if over AUD1000= the inspection may well be charged at a rate of about AUD90= per 15 minutes. If the goods have fittings with snake skin, crocodile skin or -- heaven forbid -- any pachyderm (ivory) they certainly will be seized and destroyed under CITES convention rules. Ivory is under a LOT of scrutiny since the beginning of 2015, even in SE Asia. One last thing, if the sword is sold and declared as genuine Nihonto; be it new or antique and it is not accompanied by the correct export papers from the Japanese government it could likely be seized and returned to the Embassy of Japan in Canberra. To conclude the best advice is to especially communicate with the overseas seller beforehand, bearing in mind many of the above issues can be addressed by doing so. There are many such vendors who are well aware of our laws and regulations and will bend over backwards to assist in the process of shipping and facilitating the process. Personally I've purchased items and that was the case where the vendors could simply not do enough to ensure my cargo arrived without problems. So please don't be discouraged from purchasing the blade of your dreams if it appears and appeals to you. I'm just giving a case-scenario. Then again why not a bit of lateral thinking? Its not that expensive to travel these days and in my case I've had great results buying items overseas and bringing them back in checked luggage. A good sturdy aluminum guitar case will suffice for carrying more than a few well-wrapped blades; just check with the airline first and be sure to declare the goods upon arrival in Australia. Happy to answer any further queries from fellow enthusiasts in OZ or please do not hesitate to PM me. Mike, Brisbane Very good advise... btw, what's your stance about flying to New Zealand and bringing back items to Aussie from there?
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Post by pupeski on Nov 15, 2016 22:19:33 GMT
'Morning LG-
Exactly the same; Border security into AUST ports is all Federalized (possibly with the exception of flying into Melbourne). NZL would maybe have even better choice as the Kiwis have far more sensible laws relating to hunting/ fishing/ outdoors and shooting.
Just check the airline allows the items in checked-baggage.
Drop me a PM if you like.
Cheers
Mike
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Post by pellius on Nov 16, 2016 2:23:20 GMT
Pupeski - wow. Thanks for such an informative post. I'm not likely to ever be involved in importing blades into Australia, but I still thought your post was fascinating. Thanks again.
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Post by pupeski on Nov 16, 2016 6:44:42 GMT
Appreciate feedback -- thanks for reading.
One last thing I do stress: with "communication" always remember that it pays also to give a call to either Customs ((Border-Force) or Department of Agriculture (formerly AQIS) prior to making an order. Both departments are helpful and unbelievably prompt in answering emails or calls.
The rules, whilst in many cases silly as they stand are put in place by politicians. Australia is further complicated by having different legislation both from the federal as well as state (as with Victoria -- FFS what will the Victorian parliament ban next -- lawn mowers?).
One regulation that I personally find an absolute howler is cuffs and ASP-batons. Get caught trying to sneak either into OZ in one's baggage could well land the person in magistrates court. Get caught with same in your home by the local cops and its the same deal. Yet...you can buy either in most disposal stores here in Queensland (possibly other states) they'll cheerfully sell them to you and let you walk out of the shop no questions asked.
Then you've got the laws governing one-handed folders...don't even get me started on that. There are more than a few prominent knife-makers who design the little thumb-catch in the base of the blade so that it can be unscrewed especially for our market. Hmmmm...
Anyhow what I am alluding to is in the case where a person finds that their goods have been detained both Border Force and Department of Agriculture will invariably offer a whole range of options available, including the return of the item to sender. Just takes a lot of form-filling and a fee at the end of the process and as stated in the original page if the goods plus postage is below AUD1000= one usually gets their goodies with no let or hindrance.
Just thought I should mention this as all employees of both departments have been locked in quite bitter EA negotiations for the past three years. Personally I always treated my client-base and members of the public with the greatest respect and so did all my colleagues.
I must stress however if an importer or passenger attempts to knowingly sneak a prohibited item into AUST. they could face some really unpleasant legal action. All the onus lies upon the importer who is responsible for the goods imported; there is seldom any action pursued against the supplier except in cases of significant transnational activity. Applies to mail as well as passengers right through to commercial and container-cargo.
Oh -- one other thing -- where an airline passenger arrives during peak hour and takes the effort to declare something like a Katana, excess duty-free or foodstuffs they are often bumped to the front of the long queues, served/ inspected and out the door whilst others are still waiting in 'Arrivals-Hall'...not bad!
OK cheers have a good one.
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Post by Stromlo_Swords_USA on Nov 16, 2016 9:47:24 GMT
Some good advice here, I ship semi regularly and can bundle stuff together to save on shipping for Aussies, drop me a line on what you are after and I can see what $$$ you will be up for. Long packages from KoA used to go courier only as too big for mail, so quite expensive.
Cheers, Rob
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Post by pellius on Nov 16, 2016 14:32:32 GMT
"I must stress however if an importer or passenger attempts to knowingly sneak a prohibited item into AUST. they could face some really unpleasant legal action." "If you receive parcels in the mail from outside Australia you are the importer of those goods, even if the goods were unsolicited." A little scary. I guess it depends on who has the burden of addressing "knowingly." www.border.gov.au/Busi/cargo-support-trade-and-goods/importing-goods/importing-by-post-or-mail
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