Why is "eBay's New Global Shipping Program" blocking International shipping on knives?

[koldgold]

All sellers using "eBay's New Global Shipping Program" for their International shipping -their international buyers cannot bid on items item - this is costing the sellers, sales and money.

[shepherdsrule]

They are not blocking anything, well actually, they may be, but it will be because knives are a weapon and can not be imported into Australia without a license (collector, law enforcememnt etc).

What GSP are actually doing is saving you the hassle later of dealing with Au. customs who will most assuredly NOT let this item into the country.

Another shipper may have let them leave the US only for you to find once they landed in Aus that you had no claim to them as they are restricted and would be confiscated.

[davewil1964]

A lot of items that can be legally imported into Australia are blocked by the GSP.

I suspect it's because -

a) PB uses a one size fits all attitude, so if ANY country in the world bans the import of an item PB decide that that applies to all countries, and/or

b) they are American and every American KNOWS that the world is split into two parts - the USA and the rest.

[shepherdsrule]

Well, yes, there is that LOL

But knives are a little bit of a problem, less of course they are rubber knives, or knives with no blades - which I guess would then have to be listed as 'handles'.

[koldgold]

I like the "because knives are a weapon and can not be imported into Australia without a license (collector, law enforcememnt etc)."

It looks like any can say what they like here; even when they do not know what they are talking about.

I use a KNIFE and falk to eat with. I also KNIVES in my kitchen. You can use your hands it you like.

[*crikey*mate*]

When i was an apprentice chef back in my youth, I got a warning for carrying concealed weapons.

I had my knife kit and was carrying it in the boot of my car inbetween places of employment. (car accident, and when i tried to claim the damage for the knives on my insurance, that's what happened)

I also had a carving fork in there, and some other tools etc, but mostly my chef's knives

[2106greencat]

I use a fork too - but if you prefer a falk - guess that is up to you.

No matter - customs are what customs are, and if you can't find a 'falk' or Knife you want in Australia - amongst all our many BM stores and on line outlets, that are part of a dinner set, and you feel the need to import a knife - then you may find you have a few hoops to jump through.

I don't make the rules - but I do abide by them when I import the "Knife Blocks" I import for my company.

[cherry*135]

koldgold - If the item is restricted for import, (which knives & daggers are)  the importer must have a permit to import. While there are lots of knives in Australia, most imported probably, they have been imported by people/businesses with a permit.

http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page4369.asp#e1066

Knives and daggers (restricted import)

Description:	Daggers, automatic knives, single handed opening knives, butterfly knives, trench knives, ballistic knives, concealed knives/blades, throwing knives/blades/axes, star knives, push knives, sheath knives, non-metallic knives.
Permits issued by:	Daggers and throwing knives/blades/axes require written Police Certification (B709B Form) from the relevant Police Firearms Registry, prior to the arrival of the goods in Australia. All other knives require written permission to import from the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, prior to the arrival of the goods in Australia.
More information:	Customs information centre Telephone: 1300 363 263 E-mail: information@customs.gov.au   Please see the importing firearms and weapons webpage for detailed information
Address:	Requests to import these goods should be addressed to: Weapons and Strategic Goods Trade Branch  Australian Customs and Border Protection Service 5 Constitution Avenue CANBERRA ACT 2601

[koldgold]

I made one mistake spelling fork, the fool trying to read the Australian Custom Import list did not help.

I thought someone may be able to help, as eBay do not even try to help.

[lyndal1838]

Not all knives are restricted but that does not matter to Pitney Bowes.....they simply refuse to ship any knife to Australia