topic Re: Laser pointers in Buying

Laser pointers

frank222frank — Fri, 20 Sep 2013 20:37:21 GMT

Did you know you can't import any laser product into Australia, even a slide show presenter? Customs will seize it and threaten to charge you.

Re: Laser pointers

lyndal1838 — Fri, 20 Sep 2013 21:08:46 GMT

It has been advertised in the newspapers and on TV and the information is readily available on the Customs website.

Did you lose a purchase from China?

Re: Laser pointers

extra-keen — Fri, 20 Sep 2013 21:13:25 GMT

IT is because some I*d*iots were pointing them at aircraft as pilots preparing to land....

Re: Laser pointers

patchoo78 — Sat, 21 Sep 2013 06:21:21 GMT

@frank222frank wrote:
Did you know you can't import any laser product into Australia, even a slide show presenter? Customs will seize it and threaten to charge you.

Yes but ironically enough, you can buy them at the Post Office..

Re: Laser pointers

ekrabappel — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 09:50:54 GMT

Not true. You need to read the fine print. After all, CD, DVD and Blu-ray players all contain lasers and can be imported no trouble so the general term laser device is a bit misleading. The fine print on import restrictions (at least when I last checked) defined a laser pointer as a mobile hand held device exceeding (I think) 1 or 10 milliWatts. They are not outlawed as members of bona fied astronomy clubs etc are able to possess laser pointers. Mind you, what customs says and what e-bay dictates are 2 different things. I once tried to purchase a fully programmable multi-colour laser display unit (the type for night-clubs and entertainment venues) from a supplier in Hong Kong. E-Bay australia blocked the transaction as a prohibited laser device. I wanted to contact E-Bay to let them know that this was a laser display and not a laser pointer and as such not prohibited. In fact you could buy similar (although not so functional) units from any Dick Smith store. Unfortunately the customer support at e-bay has nothing to do with the section that determines e-bay policy on prohibited items. You cannot talk to anyone from that department, only submit limited information online from which the automated response came that the item I was trying to purchase was a prohibited item. SOOOO FRUSTRATING! In the end I gave up and our school missed out on a really good deal thanks to E-Bay's behind the scenes faceless policies department.

Re: Laser pointers

frank222frank — Sat, 28 Sep 2013 09:04:22 GMT

I can understand industrial lasers being banned, but a presenter for use with powerpoint in a room and would be flat out reaching 200 metres - give me a break. Talk about overkill. Throw the book at the offenders pointing them at aircraft instead of letting them laugh as they walk out of court with a slap on the wrist. Again, the law is on the side of idiots instead of the responsible majority.