New Australia Post regulations.

[Guest]

Effective 16th July 2007, NO firearms or any firearm parts will be transported out of Australia via Air mail.

Taken from an Australia post Bulletin is this Policy,

Australia post does not absolutely prohibit the logment of firearms, and firearm parts in outbound international mail,

However, due to international airline restrictions:
* such items cannot be carried by airmail, but
* the items MAY be consigned for sea mail service, subject to logment conditions.

So anyone thinking of travelling to bisley or world championship, forget the plane if you wish to shoot and be sure to put your rifle on a boat around two months before you leave.

Yet another nail in the shooting sport coffin.

[ogre6br]

can you please provide a link to this statement
The only thin I can find is
http://www.auspost.com.au/BCP/0,1467,CH ... 19,00.html
and it says the pro-hibition has been lifted

later
p

[Guest]

Patrick,
The reference you give is for IMPORTED items.
The one Adam is refering to relates to taking Firearms and firearm parts OUT of Australia. It is a bulletin issued by Aust Post and you should be able to get a copy from your local Post Office.
The way the bulletin reads it is not just Aust Post, they are quite happy to deliver your mail so long as you send it surface mail, it's the international airlines who are placing the restrictions.
My understanding is that sea mail is also "conditional"
Barry

[AlanF]

...anyone thinking of travelling to bisley or world championship, forget the plane if you wish to shoot and be sure to put your rifle on a boat around two months before you leave...

Adam,

Thanks for the warning. This would be only for air MAIL surely? My understanding is that airlines such as JAL will take firearms as baggage/freight. Of course if there has been a general ban by the Airlines which has triggered the Australia Post change, then we have a problem.

Alan

[ned kelly]

G'day All,
it would seem to me that the best option is to check with your airline as I think they would have their own policies on what they carry and knowing airlines they will carry anthing at the right price!
Cheerio Ned

[Guest]

The NRAA have a copy of Aust. Post Bulletin concerning this issue on their website.
I have written to my local politician ( as we ALL should do ) outlining my concerns. I received a reply to the effect that he ( politician ) had contacted Aust Post requesting their reasons for implementing this ban.
When I receive a reply I will post it.
Barry

[Guest]

The following is in part the reply I received from my local politician re Australia Post ban on Air Mailing of Firearms/Parts out of Australia. The reply came from Aust. Post.
Quote " At the outset I would like to clarify that international carriers will carry firearms and firearm parts, but only as consigned freight under quite specific conditions that cannot be met in regard to official postal despatches.
As a result, for outgoing firearms and parts, Aust. Post is only able to provide a sea mail service option to those countries to which we have a sea mail service and which themselves do not prohibit firearms and parts.
Australia Post is Sympathetic to the concerns raised, however, we are ultimately constrained by restrictions imposed by the International air carriers." unquote.
My understanding of this is that it also applies to Telescopic Sights.
Barry.

[Guest]

Therefore, if for any reason a scope or any other part needs to be returned to the manufacturer for repair or replacement, expect a wait of around 3 months before your item is returned.

As shooters, we will be effected if nothing is done, now is your time to stand up for what you believe in, or simply let it slide, but bare in mind, this is just one way to make things difficult for honest shooters, if we let this go, what will be next!!!

I trust that passionate shooters out there who are willing to stand up for what matters to them will have no problem in trying to protect their sport.

Will they???????????????

[Ken L]

It is interesting that recently I have received several scopes from China and they have been sent via EMS ( Express Mail Service) this company is partly owned by Australia Post as a consortium.
Maybe it might be possible to have scopes etc sent via EMS as they seem to have their own freight aircraft and are not dependant on passenger airlines. As a bonus I can get things from China days quicker that I can get things from Melbourne.

Ken L

[AlanF]

I don't think a scope sight is a "firearm part" - it is more of an accessory, which can actually be bought for purposes other than shooting. And reloading equipment shouldn't be affected either - it is classed as tools. All the same, it would be a pain if things like triggers, and other small firearm parts were affected.

Alan

[Guest]

Alan,
To the ignorant a scope is a firearm part and is specifically mentioned.
Triggers are also specifically mentioned. A trigger is actually a prohibited import requiring a police permit for forwarding to customs to get it out of hock. Applies to both new triggers and those coming back for repair.
I have been sending triggers out of Aust for 20 years via Aust Post -Air Mail, cannot do that any more, have to send by another carrier which costs plenty or send by Aust post --sea freight.( 2/3 months delivery to US).
Aust Post use the word "significant" when describing a firearm part such as Receiver, Bolt, Barrel, Trigger etc.
I rather doubt reloading components would be affected as they are incoming parts and not firearm parts,--as you say, tools.
The whole point about the latest restriction is that if we don't protest about it one can only guess what the next one will be, --not necessarily from Aust Post. What about a situation where you cannot purchase primers for example, or projectiles or even worse, cases. Once " they " get the thin edge of the wedge in " they" just keep hammering away. Don't want to frighten anybody but sit down and count what you have lost since 1996???
Barry

[AlanF]

...a scope is a firearm part and is specifically mentioned...

Barry,

There is a PO document available (is it the one you mentioned above?) on the home page of the NRAA website. It gives a definition as follows :

DEFINITION OF ELGIBLE ITEMS
“Firearm” means a device designed or adapted to discharge shots, bullets or other projectiles

“Firearm Part” means a significant component part of a firearm, such as a gas piston, friction assembly, action bar, breech bolt or breech block, a firearm barrel, an assembled trigger mechanism, or a receiver

Source – Commonwealth Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 (as amended)

Now if someone in their ignorance has included scopes, then this needs to be shown to them.

Alan

[Guest]

Alan,
Have a look at the Australian Customs Website relative to Prohibited and Restricted Exports both Commercial and Personal. Under firearms it specifically mentions accessories such as telescopic sights and would you believe, cleaning gear. You need a permit issued by the Dept. of Defence.
The PO document you mention is that which I sent to the NRAA and all State Associations.
Barry