Host seized by Australian customs

[henraay]

Hello all! I'm from Australia, Brisbane!
I ordered this host. on the 23rd of July.

On the 28th of August, I received a notice saying that the host was seized for
"Customs (Prohibited Imports_ Regulations - Schedule 13 - Item 44 - Hand-held goods, commonly known as laser pointers,
designed or adapted to emit a laser beam with an accessible emission level of greater than 1 mW."

Now what I don't get is that, how does a host emit any sort of beam? Are the customs making up any reason to seize it?
It says in the listing that the host does not come with any sort of laser diode installed. Has anyone else experience something like this?

I question Australian Customs and Border Protection's professionalism and conduct.

Regards,
henraay

 

[Blaster]

Yes that's seems rough ,fortunately You can fight it and probably win but the paperwork takes time and i believe there is a fee involved and the hassle of waiting to get an answer it goes on and on, once i get one of those custom forms i don't bother because the effort involved and time and money for processing even if you win isn't worth it unless the host is very expensive, sorry to hear you had it seized.

 

[Kookapeli]

If you win the other side should pay ALL expenses because they were in the wrong !

It doesn't contain any diode so they had no reason to seize it

 

[dubious speculation]

If you win the other side should pay ALL expenses because they were in the wrong !

It doesn't contain any diode so they had no reason to seize it

the operative word here is 'should'. yes they 'should' pay for all expenses if you end up winning your case,

but i wouldn't be surprised if they didn't.

 

[Blaster]

Exactly should ,but i haven't got the form in my hand they go in the bin i pretty sure there is a fee just to apply that isn't refundable even if you win and I'm sure its not 5 dollars once customs has taken an item they make it a burocratic nightmare to go about trying to get it back, and there's threats that if you lose they will fine you as well as losing the item and they will no doubt flag your name in database as being a trouble maker, so your damned if you do and less damned if you don't and just let it go.

 

[NKO29]

I'm wondering what exactly the item was declared as... If it wasnt something like "torch case" but like "laser Host" then that may be why it was seized. However it does not break any laws to possess an empty host, so you should be able to get it back?

 

[Blaster]

I always get seller to call it a torch and or stage lighting, i say you keep the battery and charger as they can detect the lithium batteries and that flags the item ...there's about three full pages of garbage that amounts to we took it, if you want it back we will make it as hard and difficult process as we can, and as i said above if you lose we will fine you as well. Were do you think all these nice goodies go that customs take .......to customs officers homes they don't destroy everything they take that's BS .so no wonder its a nightmare to try and get a laser or host or whatever back its been nicked from were ever they store the goods that are taken.I'm positive that alcohol and cigarettes get taken and used so would other items.Same when you leave the country and have an unopened toothpaste container or deodorant or even after shaves that's over 100ml. Do you really believe the unopened stuff that ppl forget cant be taken on planes gets destroyed, no they at end of a shift divide the pile of stuff between themselves and never need to buy toiletries again.Perks of the job

 

[NKO29]

Man i'd love to work for customs imports section. i'd have so much cool sh*t

 

[LaZeRz]

The part "designed or adapted to emit a laser beam" makes me think they might be cracking down on anything to do with lasers?

 

[Blaster]

They might be cracking down on lasers but i ordered 8 in last month and so far 6 have arrived i need to update my signature ....plus 6 to me minus 6 to Australian customs lol ...

 

[NKO29]

Well, after the drug and weapon imports fiasco, maybe theyre finally doing their job lol.

 

[henraay]

Yeah, I think making the claim to get the host back will not be worth the time, effort and money. It is also unlikely that you'll get the government to even pay for the expenses too. I will just be purchasing a host from within Australia. It is sad to think that the system is so corrupt.

 

[NKO29]

At least contact the seller saying that it didnt come. they shouldn't have technically sold you something that they are unsure if it will arrive...

EDIT:Oh, I have bought from the guy before... He was very helpful and I got my parts in good shape. good luck!

 

[Blaster]

Yeah, I think making the claim to get the host back will not be worth the time, effort and money. It is also unlikely that you'll get the government to even pay for the expenses too. I will just be purchasing a host from within Australia. It is sad to think that the system is so corrupt.

well the government gets taxes effectively from every source and paying a fee just to try and get your host back is a tax when you think about it

 

[henraay]

Might I ask, where did you purchase your lasers from? The seller had trouble getting things shipped initially. It took him 4 days to ship it out but he has good service. The Chinese tracking is pretty dodgy, (still says its in china) but you can't expect too much for what you're paying for. He is very helpful and polite which is always a good thing. I have messaged him about it getting picked up by customs.

 

[dubious speculation]

All the lasers that I have in my sig (grand total of 3 ) have been ordered within Australia through Australian sellers on eBay.