Customs seized goods. Can I get a refund

[wise.guy.sam]

Hi all,

I recently purchased some rogain hair treatment product from a seller from the US. This is not the first time I have purchased this and each time I have not had a problem. Until today.

My package had been opened and the goods have been seized for being dangerous by Australian Customs. I'm not sure why this has been overlooked before but if it is against the rules to import this to Aus than fair enough.

However I did spend about $55 (+$13 shipping) and wanted to know if I can claim this from the seller. I have no doubt that he sent the goods but I obviously haven't been able to receive them. I don't want to leave him short but if he is the sender does that make him responsible.

Has anyone had a problem with this before and/or have any advice for me.

Thanks,

[austeam]

I just did a quick search and the Qld Weapons Act of 1990 does specifically mention Slingshots: http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/W/WeaponsA90.pdf

I don't think it is illegal to own one, its just illegal to carry one in a public place or to use one :^O

[patchoo78]

The one I looked at last year for NSW said you could have a home made one

[il_troy_li]

What about laser pointers over 1mw (the ones that can burn a match head)

[lyndal1838]

No, laser pointers over 1mw are prohibited. 

You can check on the Australian Customs site for all prohibited items.

[il_troy_li]

Thanks for your input I thought that to I heard it was made that way because some idiot pointed one at a plane and now they are banned in aus because the priminister decided that one idiot should make all Australians pay

[bitsrnissin]

Manufactured a slingshot with a rubber band between fingers... that's so funny! What a nanny country we live in!

[bitsrnissin]

Rogaine seems like a really weird thing to seize.

It might be as simple as the fact that it's a pharmaceutical and might be the type that is only available through pharmacies.

Either that or I have a sneaking suspicion that the Americans have a version that is different to the one approved here. An example of that would be Xenadrine. In the US it contains ephedra, a Chinese traditional herb that raises metabolism and diminishes hunger along with other caffeine or speed like effects. It also has vitamins and other herbs do basically nothing. Ephedra is illegal here so the Xenadrine available in Australia does not contain Ephedra and is about as effective as an ashtray on a motorcycle.

So the Regaine stuff available in Australia might actually not be the same thing. If you were considering Regaine it might be worth finding out if it's the same stuff.

[bitsrnissin]

I ordered some paint pearls and metalflake once and it was taking ages to get to me from the US. When it finally arrived it had "inspected by customs" tape sealing it.
I guess an envelope full of little bags of powder must've aroused suspicion, lol.
It's the only thing of mine that's ever been opened so I guess everything else looked fine through the x-ray machine.

[lyndal1838]

Customs have always done random checks on parcels coming into the country.

It does not mean that they were suspicious of anything....just that your parcel happened to be lucky.

I buy a lot from overseas, plus we have family in the USA and Canada and a few years ago I used to have several parcels a year opened for inspection.  It does not happen as much now...it must be 2 years since anything has been opened.

[darbylovesjaz]

Yes you are entitled to a refund because you did not receive your item