Down Jacket Quarantined

[tomtom1]

Hi guys,

Been reading the boards the last few months, as I've been planning on getting more into bushwalking in order to further my photographic interests. In the meantime I've been slowly gearing up for spring.

I recently ordered a Montbell Alpine Light Down Parka from an online retailed in the united states. It was shipped via fedex, and they called me today to let me know if was held up by Australian Quarantine (AQIS), and that they needed more paperwork, and if they don't get it within 5 days of arriving in Australia (called me now with 2 days to go), it would have to be sent back to the states.

I wasn't convinced the fedex guy clearly knew what to do, but he seemed to think that I needed an import permit from AQIS and a manufacturers statement to say that the down had been washed/treated and had no extra animal product. I've had a look at the AQIS website, and from what I can tell, I don't need an import permit for down (costs about $150 apparently), but I should have organised to have it sent with a manufacturers statement. If the item didn't arrive with documentation, the site also states that the item can be treated (eg. with gamma irradiation).

I also ordered Aquamira drops, and the guy also said that they'd need to confirm the ingredients before they release them??

http://www.aqis.gov.au/icon32/asp/ex_ca ... essionID=0

I was wondering if anyone had trouble importing down products into Australia? It thought it was a bit funny as I received a Western mountaineering bag just a few weeks ago without doing anything special, but I guess that must have just slipped through.

I will try to contact AQIS tomorrow, and have emailed montbell.

[tomtom1]

I'm surprised this hasn't happened to others, given the down content of the best jackets and sleeping bags?

Anyway this is what has happened

1) Emailed retailer, who don't have the required declaration. They suggested I ask AQIS to open the package, and refer them to Montbell's website which refers to the down as hypoallergenic (which apparently means very clean). Also asked me to contact Montbell.

2) Contacted Montbell, who say that the documentation doesn't exist as they don't export to Australia, and even if it did exist, they wouldn't be able to disclose production source information to an individual. They did add that they wanted to help but weren't able to.

3) Another option is to have the jacket treated by heat. Fedex quoted me anywhere from $120 to $220. I'm a bit wary of this, given the shell material of the jacket.

Anyway I'm just waiting on the Fedex/AQIS response to opening the package. I suspect I'm going to have to return the package, and get a refund, or perhaps exchange it for a synthetic insulating parka.

[sthughes]

That's a real bugger. I got a down sleeping bag from the states a few months back with no issues, I guess I was lucky
I can see where AQIS is coming from but still it's annoying. How much would the gamma radiation treatment cost?

[photohiker]

I was wondering if anyone had trouble importing down products into Australia? It thought it was a bit funny as I received a Western mountaineering bag just a few weeks ago without doing anything special, but I guess that must have just slipped through.

I will try to contact AQIS tomorrow, and have emailed montbell.

I've imported several down items and not a spot of bother.

I wonder what was put on the export documentation to trigger this, first I've heard of it. Sounds like someone is over-reacting in there.

I think there is a gamma plant in Melbourne, no idea what it would cost though.

[juney]

Geez, what a drama!!!
I've bought down jackets through backcountry.com and had no hassles...thankfully.
Goodluck

[ninjapuppet]

I read an article somewhere regarding UPS vs USPS, with one being more likely to get searched more so than the other (i forget which one)

All i know is that one is the official postal service in the US, and one is a private company. you went through fedex, so i dont think it counts, but maybe its because private companies like UPS get searched more routinely?

[casey79]

Looks like an expensive lesson. Buy from a local retailer and there will be less issues with warranty and customs. Sure it's more it may cost a bit more but it keeps australians employed, all of the customs issues have been delt with, you can try it on and get advice, warranty will be delt in Australia amongst plenty of other reasons.

[tasadam]

Sucks that you had this sort of problem.
Only time I've had a problem importing anything was when coming from USA, once, a camera lens, got hit for duty but still worked out hundreds cheaper than from an Aus seller.
I buy local when I can but I don't like throwing money away either.
Thanks for the heads up re Down. Maybe PM Blacksheep, surely they (Macpac) import down to Aus all the time, perhaps they know the in's and out's of it all...

[tomtom1]

That's a real bugger. I got a down sleeping bag from the states a few months back with no issues, I guess I was lucky
I can see where AQIS is coming from but still it's annoying. How much would the gamma radiation treatment cost?

I don't know exactly how much radiation treatment would cost (and don't think fedex does either). It would probably be better for the jacket than heat treatment though, so will see if it is an option.

I read an article somewhere regarding UPS vs USPS, with one being more likely to get searched more so than the other (i forget which one)

All i know is that one is the official postal service in the US, and one is a private company. you went through fedex, so i dont think it counts, but maybe its because private companies like UPS get searched more routinely?

UPS is private, USPS is the equivalent of auspost. As far as I know UPS is more vigilant with claiming gst on packages over $1000, and fedex is much the same. Not sure about packages being searched.

Looks like an expensive lesson. Buy from a local retailer and there will be less issues with warranty and customs. Sure it's more it may cost a bit more but it keeps australians employed, all of the customs issues have been delt with, you can try it on and get advice, warranty will be delt in Australia amongst plenty of other reasons.

Fair call, but I'm not hugely cut up as the most I'll lose is postage costs. I've had success importing a lot of stuff from overseas and was interested to see if this had happened to anyone else as I couldn't find much info anywhere on the internet.

Sucks that you had this sort of problem.
Only time I've had a problem importing anything was when coming from USA, once, a camera lens, got hit for duty but still worked out hundreds cheaper than from an Aus seller.
I buy local when I can but I don't like throwing money away either.
Thanks for the heads up re Down. Maybe PM Blacksheep, surely they (Macpac) import down to Aus all the time, perhaps they know the in's and out's of it all...

Thanks mate, yeah I guess the gst issue is well documented, but have never heard of a down product getting quarantined.

I've imported several down items and not a spot of bother.

I wonder what was put on the export documentation to trigger this, first I've heard of it. Sounds like someone is over-reacting in there.

I think there is a gamma plant in Melbourne, no idea what it would cost though.

I agree it's an over-reaction, but am not surprised given Australia's tough quarantine laws. Going by my conversations with fedex, I'm pretty sure it was listed as a 'goose down jacket' by the retailer, and the word goose would have definitely set off alarm bells at customs. Were your jackets simply listed as 'down jacket' and did they get through?

[tasadam]

<snip> I'm pretty sure it was listed as a 'goose down jacket' by the retailer, and the word goose would have definitely set off alarm bells at customs.

That's an interesting thought, quite plausible.

[Lizzy]

Hmmmmm I used to work for AQIS (quite a few years back) and the rules back then were ifffy too- for example you couldn't bring in mayonaise (egg product) at the airport unless it was one of about 3 USA brands- all the others had to be sent back or tossed unless you had a specific import permit even though most of these could probably be bought in our shops..... Feathers was another thing not allowed in- often on 'dream catchers' and the other souvenirs- these products would have to be gamma irradiated, at the time costing $50 which was often way more than the cost of the item. You definitely got unlucky- think of the number of backpackers coming into Australia with down bags in their packs..... we never did anything about those! Of course we are in a unique position in Australia not having many of the infectious animal diseases that other countries have and we must protect this, but seriously.....Will be interested to hear how this pans out- and hoping for a solution for you that doesn't involve lots of $$$$
Good luck
Lizzy

[Lindsay]

Hi tomtom, your best bet is to contact AQIS directly. They will be able to tell you exactly what the situation is, as it sounds like Fed Ex do not have a clue.

[Ent]

Um?

Two sleeping bags no problem. Could be the dragon had its eyes closed or WM is not on the watch list. I can understand Quarantine getting jumpy from some countries but I would have hoped that a quality item from a reputable manufacturer direct from USA would not be an issue. I often wonder if the recent (over last two years) issues with importation and USA firms not willing to send goods of certain brands is a back-door campaign to block direct imports.

Be very interested to see what happens here as Quarantine can believe itself to be a religious order with Papal infallibility.

Cheers Brett

[Earthling]

Ahhhh the joys of importing goods.
Most of the time its nice and easy. Ocasionally you get a trigger happy importation noid.
I import a few different products at different times and sometimes the packages are opened and ok, other times the packages are opened and not ok.
Same item, different monkey.

Welcome to the world of Government monkeys.

[tomtom1]

Thought I'd update how this all panned out.

Fedex ended up sending the jacket back to the US after a few days. I didn't hear anything for about 2 weeks, then started chasing the store. They were apologetic for the delay and were good enough to refund the whole amount plus shipping. I only lost a small amount due to an increase in the aussie dollar.

I purchased the same jacket from another store, but this time had it shipped with USPS, and it got through fine.

Last edited by tomtom1 on Tue 31 Aug, 2010 11:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[cams]

Very interesting. I used to import a lot of car parts from the USA. Never had any issues with customs. First dealing I had with them was a few weeks ago. They opened my package with various bits and pieces of hiking gear. Main item was a Caldera Keg stove. May have x-rayed like a pipe bomb. :\ But there was also a couple of packets of Esbit tablets and a bag of freeze dried food all of which got through. My girlfriend also bought a down jacket from campsaver last week and it came through fine.

[Ent]

Much the same here. Campsaver used USP and not an issue. Glad that the USA mail order house was understanding. Actually I have found the US based mail order houses a delight to deal with. If you can wait a week for stuff and know your sizing it is the way to go.

Cams what jacket did you get from Campsaver?

Cheers Brett

[cams]

Pretty sure she got the Marmot Venus Jacket.

[ldibene]

Here is the info from the AQIS site. "For products where the feathers cannot be inspected (e.g. doonas, pillows etc.), each consignment must be accompanied by a manufacturer’s declaration to state that the feathers have been cleaned and are free of all animal tissue and other extraneous matter. Consignments will be randomly inspected to ensure the feathers are clean." Noncommercial is a little more lenient in rules than Commercial. Operative note: random inspections. When they can't be inspected they go on to give all the treatment alternatives you have already been given. The issue for AQIS is that they want to make sure no animal parts are included with the feathers. Per site: "Mail order and internet purchases constitute a significant portion of seized items." So even these might be randomly inspected.

[ninjapuppet]

OH CRAP,

Looks like its my turn to experience trouble now. I ordered a Western mountaineering down jacket shipped EXPRESS USPS, and it still didnt come after 3 weeks which was unusual. i checked the status and it had been held in Australian customs for the past 2 weeks. Havnt had a chance to call them yet but I will call them monday. I am imagining a problem similar to what TomTom has experienced which will suck because it was a large order and i dont want them sending the whole thing back to the US. Ive ordered many other down items which has all been ok so I guess its random.

[tomtom1]

OH CRAP,

Looks like its my turn to experience trouble now. I ordered a Western mountaineering down jacket shipped EXPRESS USPS, and it still didnt come after 3 weeks which was unusual. i checked the status and it had been held in Australian customs for the past 2 weeks. Havnt had a chance to call them yet but I will call them monday. I am imagining a problem similar to what TomTom has experienced which will suck because it was a large order and i dont want them sending the whole thing back to the US. Ive ordered many other down items which has all been ok so I guess its random.

Doesn't sound good, but let us know how you get on.

If it turns out the down issue is holding it up you'll need a manufacturer's declaration, which WM might have - worth emailing them.