Customs and collimators

G1ZmO (Paul) · #1 05-08-2009, 07:41 AM

As we're in the process of visa appication to emigrate to Australia I had a look through the things that we are not allowed to import. One of the items on the list is lasers.

Has anyone ever imported a laser collimator?

Cheers

Paul

Liz · #2 05-08-2009, 08:01 AM

Hi Paul
Yes, its a bit tricky. Some states it is legal and others ....not so legal. I think you are moving to Victoria ?? so not sure.
I bought one last year from a shop in Brissy, but did try and get one on eBay from HongKong, which is still at Brisbane customs.
I cannot be bothered with the multitude of paperwork required to retrieve it

You may be better off buying one when you get here ?? otherwise they may find and confiscate it.

edit ... oopsy .... just read Trevors post, and mine refers to laser pointer, not collimater.

OneOfOne (Trevor) · #3 05-08-2009, 08:11 AM

Provided the power output is 1mW or less, there should not be a problem. The legislation is mainly targetted at handheld green lasers, as used for pointing out the night sky. These are usually 5-30mW and are regulated under Victorian legislation. Collimators should not need to be of this sort of power output...but you may like to check first.

erick (Eric) · #4 05-08-2009, 11:14 AM

Does it say lasers? Or specifically hand-held laser pointers? Do read up on the specifications. Many higher end collimators use red lasers of greater than 1mW. All you can do is argue that it is not a hand-held laser pointer, but is a collimation tool. A bit of a grey area, but you should try. It would be best to declare it, rather than not, if the laser is spec'd greater than 1mW. Have paperwork to explain its use - showing that in use the laser beam is contained within the telescope, and I think you could make a successful case. Also, being red laser and not green laser will help you.

Moon (James) · #5 05-08-2009, 01:59 PM

They went through our Christmas decorations and confiscated some pine cones that we originally purchased in Australia. They also went through the kitchen stuff and confiscated some twinings tea bags. My Astro gear came by air and although it spent ages in customs, the boxes were not opened. Some friends of mine had **all** their boxes opened and checked.
The customs checks are taken seriously and sometimes do seem a bit other the top when compared to other countries. But you are doing the right thing to check in advance.
I would hope that 1mw would be considered safe, but it would be best to check with an official source.

barx1963 (Malcolm) · #6 05-08-2009, 04:09 PM

As I understand the rules here in VIC 1mw is still legal even for green lasers. You can certainly buy red laser collimators from retail astronomy shops so I cannot see there would be a problem bringing one with you. Rules seem a bit silly when I had no probs buying a 20mw when I was in QLD, and brought it back to Vic with me!

erick (Eric) · #7 05-08-2009, 04:26 PM

Malcolm, Victorian law says you have to have a permit to have a 20mW laser pointer in your possession.

Amongst Victoria's listed prohibited weapons is:-

"Laser Pointer - Hand-held battery-operated articles that are designed or adapted to emit a laser beam with an accessible emission limit of greater than 1 mW"

Of interest, this definition would capture, in addition to standard laser pointers, laser collimators and a lot of laser-assisted tools, if they emit > 1mW.

See: http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content...cument_id=3924

Plenty of discussion of this in earlier threads over the past few years - anyone interested can search them out and see all the pros/cons/State variation/import restrictions etc.

G1ZmO (Paul) · #8 05-08-2009, 04:28 PM

Thanks folks,

I think the Meade one is a 5mw. Probably best to declare it and provide the instructions and specs to describe it's use I suppose. If it gets confiscated then I'll just have to buy another.

Alternatively I may just sell it here and save the dosh for buying another.

Thanks for all the info!

Cheers

Paul

marki · #9 05-08-2009, 07:07 PM

G'day folks

I imported a 5mW laser collimator when the laws first came in. After going through all the paperwork and waitng for six weeks I was informed that they do not fall under the new laws and thus you are free to import without permission or restriction. It's only the hand held that they are concerned with, go figure.

Mark

Waxing_Gibbous (Peter) · #10 05-08-2009, 10:08 PM

Also prohibited are tin roofs. On the gounds that pilots may be blinded by them. Seriously.
Anyone ever heard of a plane be-ing brought down by a tin roof?
Lakes and rivers are far more reflective. Dry them out?
I can't believe the muppets that run this place!

Shano592 (Shane) · #11 06-08-2009, 02:03 PM

G1Zmo ... just declare it as a telescope accessory, and if it is shipped as a part of the telescope as a whole, you should find that Customs will leave you alone.

They may ask a question about what it is for, but other than that, I think you'll be ok.

FWIW, if you have the instructions for it still, make sure they are bundled with the collimator, then they can see it for themselves.

Most Customs Officers are pretty good-natured, so your odds of being denied this product (which are sold here) are minimal.

Good luck.

stephenb (Stephen) · #12 06-08-2009, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erick

Malcolm, Victorian law says you have to have a permit to have a 20mW laser pointer in your possession.

Amongst Victoria's listed prohibited weapons is:-

"Laser Pointer - Hand-held battery-operated articles that are designed or adapted to emit a laser beam with an accessible emission limit of greater than 1 mW"

Of interest, this definition would capture, in addition to standard laser pointers, laser collimators and a lot of laser-assisted tools, if they emit > 1mW.

See: http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content...cument_id=3924

Plenty of discussion of this in earlier threads over the past few years - anyone interested can search them out and see all the pros/cons/State variation/import restrictions etc.

Thanks for the link Eric. I wonder has anyone in Victoria actually applied for permission? Or has the $157 application fee scared people off?

erick (Eric) · #13 06-08-2009, 08:15 PM

I grumbled, then applied and paid. I have to renew in about a year's time. It was a bit less than $157 when I applied, and remember that you have to cost in an appropriate safe to keep it in at home

hickny (Peter) · #14 06-08-2009, 08:44 PM

I checked the NSW police site regarding laser pointers. As a teacher I believed I was exempt. This is good for me as an amateur astronomer as I use the laser pointer when demonstrating to students at school.

I bought mine on ebay back in February from Wen Guang [gyourlcd@gmail.com].

http://stores.shop.ebay.com/byourlcd__W0QQ_armrsZ1

When you go to the check out you get a message saying that the transaction cannot be completed. I emailed directly and they were happy to oblige. It cost me $11.68 US posted. I paid with it by PayPal. The item was then not in stock for about 10-12 days but then magically arrived in the post. No problem with customs.
It is a <5mW runs on 2 AAA batteries supplied.
I am very happy with mine.