Importing a laser pointer to Western Australia.. how not to do it.

• Order from Thinkgeek
• 2011 03 01 Get package with 'Receipt for Goods' note from Customs
• 2011 03 01 Call Customs and talk to their very nice staff about whether this is negotiable, apparently it is.
• 2011 03 02 Call Police Firearms and talk to their very nice staff about the appropriate paperwork.
• 2011 03 02 Customs sends me
  • B511 Seizure Notice (mailed within 14 days)
• 2011 03 03 I send Customs
  • B144 Claim for Return of Goods Seized (has to be done within 30 days - if I don't follow up it goes to court)
• 2011 03 03 I send the Firearms Unit
  • A very nice letter asking for my Laser Pointer
  • Product description
  • B511 Seizure Notice (copy)
  • B144 Claim for Return of Goods Seized (copy)
  • B709 Form – Importation of Weapons
    
  • B710 Form – Application for Permission to Import Schedule 2 & 3 Weapons
  • Rogaine entry confirmation since part of my claim is based on what I plan to use it for
• 2011 03 15 Receive a B709B Importation of Weapons - Police Confirmation form - hurrah!
• 2011 03 15 Receive a call from the Customs Officer confirming they have received my B144 Claim for Return of Goods Seized and get more advice on further distribution of paperwork.
• 2011 03 16 I send Australian Customs and Border Protection Service
  • B710 Form – Application for Permission to Import Schedule 2 & 3 Weapons
  • B709B Form - Importation of Weapons - Police Confirmation (copy)
  • Product description
  • A photocopy of my driver's licence
  • A very nice letter asking for my Laser Pointer
  • B511 Seizure Notice (copy)
  • B144 Claim for Return of Goods Seized (copy)
  • B709 Form – Importation of Weapons - Application
  • Rogaine entry confirmation
• 2011 04 06 Receive Ministerial No. and Permission to Import signed in purple ink
• 2011 04 06 Call Senior Customs and Border Protection Officer, forward copy of Permission to Import, discuss importation laws and the origin of her family name (I almost got the pronunciation right - 11 letter and Latvian). Make a date to collect Laser Pointer.
• 2011 04 13 Collect Laser Pointer. Point at things.
• Things to note:
  • Everyone I called was ridiculously nice to me - very helpful
  • You only get away with this once - I am assumed to know better now.
  • Laws are changing - you need to get permission first.

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