sandgrubber Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 I'm planning a trip to the USA. I'd like to bring a couple prong collars and and e-collar back with me. I'm in Perth, but woiuld go through customs in NSW. Should I expect problems with clearing customs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmolo Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 My understanding is that e collars can now be imported without issue- prongs i think would be a problem without a permit though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandgrubber Posted May 12, 2009 Author Share Posted May 12, 2009 My understanding is that e collars can now be imported without issue- prongs i think would be a problem without a permit though. Any idea of where one applies to get a permit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruthless Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 My understanding is that e collars can now be imported without issue- prongs i think would be a problem without a permit though. When did this happen? We had two anti-barking collars confiscated about 18 months ago and tried to fight it, but we never got them back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmolo Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 Anita posted a link about a month ago? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrinaJ Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 I have heard of people brining in prong collars by unlinking the "chain". They are then only bringing in metal objects which is not illegal (so I have heard) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandgrubber Posted May 12, 2009 Author Share Posted May 12, 2009 On electronic collars . . . the restriction was lifted in December 2008. See Australian Customs Notice No. 2008/55 (Google will find it for you). I have been advised that if I bring a copy of the Customs Notice I will probably be able to import an e-collar without problems . . . and should be able to cause major problems for anyone who tries to confisgate it. Prong collars are still restricted on the advice of the NCCAW -- which seems to respond to RSPCA, PITA, etc. Exemptions to the restriction have not been granted. For what good it may do, I just sent the following to NCCAW . . . maybe if people keep hammering at them they will change their ways. If anyone else wants to chime in, the URL is http://www.daff.gov.au/feedback?query=animalwelfare I understand that Customs restricts (and for all practical purposes prohibits) the importation of prong collars based on NCCAW advice. I run a boarding kennel, breed Labradors, and am bringing a professional trainer in to work with my kennel. I have a PhD in the sciences and am qualified to evaluate a wide range of technical information. I fail to understand the aversion to prong collars. OK. They LOOK like instruments of torture. But put one around your thigh and tighten it. It doesn't hurt. It was not designed to bruise or puncture (as the restrictions state). It was designed to mimic the disciplinary action of a bitch to her pups, or a senior dog to a junior dog. Lots of points of contact. Low pressure on each point. MUCH MUCH less cruel than the chain link collar -- which is in effect a garrote (strangle the dog with a line of contact around the throat) -- that I can buy in the supermarket or the snake chain widely used in showing. A large number of dog trainers -- of high repute -- prefer the prong collar as a device to prevent tugging on lead. I would like to be able to act on this advice. I fail to see why you prevent the importation of the tools I would need to try out the device. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seita Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 I enquired with australian customs about importing an ecollar from the usa and was told it would be a big no. I'll fish the email out at home and post their response, however I was not going to be bring it in with me I was going to have it shipped out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seita Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Ok at home now, this is the response sent to me by customs copied and pasted direct from my email: Thank you for your enquiry regarding import controls on electric collars. The importation of dog collars designed to impart an electric shock (electrostatic pulse) to an animal is controlled by the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 (under Regulation 4(1) and Item 10(a) of Schedule 2). The Regulations require that permission to import must be obtained from the Minister for Justice and Customs. Goods which arrive in Australia without permission are treated as prohibited imports and are subject to seizure by Customs. The border control on 'electric shock dog collars' was introduced in response to community and animal welfare groups concerns that such items were unnecessarily cruel. While the regulations allow the Minister to grant permission to import such collars and while you are entitled to apply for permission to import, the Minister is concerned about animal welfare if the goods are used inappropriately. As a result of these concerns, the Minister has consistently declined to grant permission to import any dog collars of this type. Requests would normally be addressed to the National Manager, Trade Policy and Regulation Branch, Australian Customs Service, 5 Constitution Avenue, CANBERRA ACT 2601. I trust this information is of assistance, please feel free to contact me if you require any further information. Kind regards, So I guess if you have permission to import before you leave so you can show that when you come back it shouldn't be a problem should it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve K9Pro Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 K9: Other than the import restrictions, any device imported must be processed to have "C tick" compliance. This must be done in Australia & cant be done overseas. Without the compliance the fine for possessing these devices is huge from what I am told. All of ours are of course are fully compliant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laeral Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 (edited) Ok at home now, this is the response sent to me by customs copied and pasted direct from my email:Thank you for your enquiry regarding import controls on electric collars. The importation of dog collars designed to impart an electric shock (electrostatic pulse) to an animal is controlled by the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 (under Regulation 4(1) and Item 10(a) of Schedule 2). The Regulations require that permission to import must be obtained from the Minister for Justice and Customs. Goods which arrive in Australia without permission are treated as prohibited imports and are subject to seizure by Customs. The border control on 'electric shock dog collars' was introduced in response to community and animal welfare groups concerns that such items were unnecessarily cruel. While the regulations allow the Minister to grant permission to import such collars and while you are entitled to apply for permission to import, the Minister is concerned about animal welfare if the goods are used inappropriately. As a result of these concerns, the Minister has consistently declined to grant permission to import any dog collars of this type. Requests would normally be addressed to the National Manager, Trade Policy and Regulation Branch, Australian Customs Service, 5 Constitution Avenue, CANBERRA ACT 2601. I trust this information is of assistance, please feel free to contact me if you require any further information. Kind regards, So I guess if you have permission to import before you leave so you can show that when you come back it shouldn't be a problem should it? Before I discovered k9 force who I got my collar through last year, I tried to import an e-collar. I spoke to customs about it and was told that although the minister 'could' give permission to import a collar he had never done so and would probably never do so. They basically told me I could apply but shouldn't bother as I would be denied. This of course only applies to the average joe blow importing their own collar. It is obviously different for for trainers/suppliers etc. Edited May 15, 2009 by laeral Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmolo Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 Where's anita! I am sure it was her who posted the change in restriction not so long ago. Does anyone remember the thread? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laeral Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 (edited) Yes I remember that to Cosmolo. The link was in an Anti-Barking Collar thread This is the website Anita referred to: http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resource...ces/ACN0855.pdf It says that after the 2nd Dec you no longer need import permission for some electronic collars Not sure why customs are telling Seita you still need permission if it has changed? Edited May 15, 2009 by laeral Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seita Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 Just for reference, the response I posted was recieved from Customs on 16 Feb 2009 so quite recent. I'm not sure about new legislation changes however. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkySoaringMagpie Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 (edited) Where's anita! I am sure it was her who posted the change in restriction not so long ago. Does anyone remember the thread? Sorry, it was me. Sandgrubber has already mentioned the Customs Notice, you can find it here: http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resource...ces/ACN0855.pdf It was done late last year. Others have correctly noted that the ban was only lifted for e-collars, not prong collars. To get permission to import something that is restricted call Customs to find out what you need to do on 1300 363 263. Usually you need to either write to someone in Customs or to the Minister himself to get permission but it depends on the item. The call centre officer should be able to advise you whether or not permissions are usually granted for whatever it is you want to bring in. Also a bit of advice for some of the other participants in this thread, it is usually not a good idea to talk about how to get around the law on public forums. Edit: Seita I have PMd you. Edited May 15, 2009 by anita Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 if there is trouble to import - on your person or luggage, is it not possible to buy from the internet and have delivered by mail from the u.s. and also qld for the e's by mail, as i know many people have done for both products . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 While we are on the subject i have a question that no one can answer for me so far, on the outside (of dol) Are prong collars legal or illegal in nsw. ????? Are electric/pulse collars legal or illegal in nsw. ????? answers are greatly appreciated thanks gandalf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 (edited) I'm a Victorian but I'm reasonably sure my answers below are correct or at least very close to being correct. But I would recommend you get a couple more opinions from the knowledgeable NSW DOL people to confirm : Are prong collars legal or illegal in nsw. ????? From the law's point of view, legal - in NSW and everywhere else in Australia other than Victoria. But prohibited from use depending on the policies of certain training groups (eg. ANKC affiliated clubs). I think there are some groups (eg. RSPCA) that say it's illegal for use in NSW but I don't believe they are right. Are electric/pulse collars legal or illegal in nsw. ????? I don't think they are able to be used legally in NSW. Edited May 16, 2009 by Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 thank you kindly gandalf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkySoaringMagpie Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 Seita you have email. Sandgrubber, email [email protected] to get an official answer to your questions about importing the equipment. The short answer tho' is that the e-collar will be OK, the prongs will not. For everyone else, Customs Notice 855 is the current advice. Seita was given old advice, this is being rectified. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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