Australian laws regarding balisongs

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xiao ni

Joined
Jul 17, 2003
Messages
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I know there is a special section regarding laws in relation to knives, but it doens't seem to get much use, and i thought i would get a better response here.

I am an Australian citizen, over eighteen years old (the age of adulthood here) and i want to know about owning butterfly knives (balisongs) here in Australia. Is there anyone who can help? I haven't been able to find anywhere that will sell them in Australia, but there are plenty of websites that will ship here. Am I allowed to have butterfly knives shipped to australia? Are there procedures to go through?

Thanks for any help you can offer me.
Ethan
 
xiao ni

In NSW Balisongs are a prohibited weapon, ie in the same category as machine guns. If your thinking of importing them Federal law also prohibits them. Customs does enforce the law with vigor as a fellow forumite found out to his detriment when he tried to import one, they came a calling with search warrants in hand to his house early on morning.

I understand that you may be able to get a prohibited weapons permit if you are a collector from your state Police. Police would probably require you to keep it in a safe in room with bars and deadlocks on the door. You would then need to get a permit from customs to actually import one. In other words it might be possible but not worth the hassle.

Buy a Spyderco or something else you can use without the hassle.
Regards
Pinpoint
 
Thanks Pinpoint.

I wonder, are there any dealers/individuals/companies who will export to australia in packages that don't have "THIS IS A KNIFE" stamped all over it? What are the ramifications if you are caught like this? Do customs search through everything that is sent? Are you able to bring them into the country if they are in your luggage when you travel?

Sorry for the barrage of quesitons, I am just incredibly eager to get one of these.

Thanks
 
You might be able to legally purchase balisong *parts*. Another possibility is to purchase a practice balisong.

Personally, I avoid doing anything to give "the man" an excuse to put me in jail.
 
Originally posted by xiao ni
Thanks Pinpoint.

I wonder, are there any dealers/individuals/companies who will export to australia in packages that don't have "THIS IS A KNIFE" stamped all over it? What are the ramifications if you are caught like this? Do customs search through everything that is sent? Are you able to bring them into the country if they are in your luggage when you travel?

Sorry for the barrage of quesitons, I am just incredibly eager to get one of these.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Do it the legal way. You need to get a Prohibited Weapons Permit from your local police station. That way, you can then purchase and own balisongs and a variety of other knives etc. like balis, kamas, ninja equipment, daggers etc. but the laws remain very strict. As a member of the Australian Knifemakers Guild and a fellow collector / buyer, I mjust urge you to comply with these laws. Esp. post-9-11, your mail WILL get checked, even if you don't mark it knives. I get less problems when I declare exactly the contents of my mail. If you attempt to conceal, you are playing with fire. Get caught and you will do time. A police record on weapons offences (yes, its not a misdemeanour) will F$%# your employment prospects for LIFE.

Not to be a downer, balis are fun, but do it right the first time. Jason.
 
Thanks Jason. Please can you tell me how I go about getting a Prohibited Weapons Permit? Are they costly? What time limits apply?
 
Originally posted by xiao ni
Thanks Pinpoint.

I wonder, are there any dealers/individuals/companies who will export to australia in packages that don't have "THIS IS A KNIFE" stamped all over it? What are the ramifications if you are caught like this? Do customs search through everything that is sent? Are you able to bring them into the country if they are in your luggage when you travel?

Sorry for the barrage of quesitons, I am just incredibly eager to get one of these.

Thanks
Click to expand...


There are plenty. I won't name em here, but if you want to discuss it, send me an email. No importation means NO importation ,be it in several parts, in a suitcase, or whatever.
 
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