Import rule change

[Gadgetgeek]

Looks like sanity has prevailed, at least to a certain degree and the import rules for one-handed opening folding knives will be cleared up, and opened.
https://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2015L01968
All it means for most is that prices here should drop, a bunch of stuff should become more available and therefor competitive.

Also of interest is "The amendment will allow importers to import single handed opening knives that can be opened by gravity, inertia or centrifugal force. These knives have many legitimate uses, including for use in outdoor recreational activities such as camping, mountaineering and hiking.
The controls on knives such as automatic, assisted opening and butterfly knives will remain under the PI Regulations."

I know that doesn't hold a lot of legal weight, but having hiking and similar activities mentioned will certainly help anyone who needs a lawful excuse.

[whitefang]

Benchmade griptilion here I come.

[GPSGuided]

It's murky!

[Gadgetgeek]

it should make it less murky by removing the flick test. as long as there are no springs you should be good. its part of streamlining imports to give the officers more resources to track important stuff.it won't change state ownership and carry laws, but aussie importers will know what they can get. given that its an overhead part of their operation, removing it will help. For most people, buying local will still be the best choice, but at least your local store can get the products in, and if you send something out for warranty work, you will get it back.

[benjabimon]

Once the amendments have filtered through, I wonder if it is still worth getting in touch with customs before attempting to import anything, just to see if any given knife is restricted. Better to annoy them and ask, than have is confiscated I suppose.

[Strider]

Fantastic!!!

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

[GPSGuided]

That assisted opening definition is pretty vague. There are many more forms of assistance than just springs.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Gadgetgeek]

GPS, how so? with flippers and centrifugal force/inertia being okay, what else is there? I agree its not worded the best, but my reading of the entire amendment suggested a separation of the definitions, and assisted was only knives with spring action. It will be tested very shortly.

I agree, give it some time to get worked into the system, and contacting customs would be a good plan, but it means no more filing permits that won't matter. What it means though is that it should be that it will be certain models of knife not allowed, rather than the individual flick test which occurs now. So there might be knives that are not allowed, but it should be far clearer which ones those are.

[GPSGuided]

Oh, didn't read that 'flippers' are also ok and is not considered to be 'assisted'. As an example, Leatherman's Crator has 'blade launcher' mechanism for the index finger. I was thinking that is a form of 'assistance'.

[benjabimon]

One of the most puzzling/hilarious things with the bit in the regulations about knives that can be opened by gravity, is that for most knives the difference between being restricted or not is all determined by how tight the screw is in the pivot point. Most folders that can be opened with one hand will open quite easily with gravity or a flick if the screw is loosely tightened.

Hopefully this amendment will make things simpler for everyone, customs and buyers especially.

[Gadgetgeek]

Ben, I agree, and I think that was part of the reason for the change, it was soaking up too much time and effort, and its so subjective. Now its a definable, yes or no based on the design of the knife, not an individual sample. Now here's hoping that someday QLD re-defines their rules so that their definitions actually make sense. right now their rules are overly broad and cover every one-handed opener from two directions.

[corvus]

Why do we need these knives

[Strider]

Yay flippers! Sanrenmu 5056 is on my to do list

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

[Strider]

Why do we need these knives

Why not? Knives are a great tool. I never leave the house without one.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

[Gadgetgeek]

Don't need, but it means that a lot of the specialized rescue knives are now easier to import which is good. It should mean more choices for fire fighters and SES folks, at the very least that is worth it in my opinion.

[fat_doggie]

Does this mean I can now purchase Benchmade folding knife on eBay from USA now?

[Gadgetgeek]

You can, provided it has no spring assist. So something like a griptillian, totally fine, a barrage, totally not.